AARP’s VP of Hispanic/Latino Strategy to Present Keynote at New Mexico Annual Conference on Aging

Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, AARP’s vice president of Hispanic/Latino Strategy, will be discussing how diversity brings power to the discussion of health care reform and financial security, as part of her keynote address Wednesday, August 26th at the 31st Annual New Mexico Conference on Aging.

In her address, Egusquiza will also talk about how individuals have the ability to promote positive social change through community service.

“AARP recognizes the value of diverse individuals and the role they play in supporting communities,” said Gene Varela, AARP New Mexico’s Associate State Director of Community Outreach. “Having Rocky present the keynote at New Mexico’s premier conference on aging will highlight the value of diverse populations. We’re very excited to have her be part of the Conference this year.”

AARP New Mexico will conduct other work sessions as part of the conference. A roundtable discussion on AARP in Your Community will be conducted by Gene Varela, AARP New Mexico State Associate Director Community Outreach, and Eddie Rivas,  the Portfolio Manager for AARP, and has experience with the Hispanic Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging, taking place Tuesday, August, 25th, at 1 p.m.

The AARP Widowed Persons group will conduct a round table session called Not Alone on coping with loss and grief. That session will also be Tuesday, August 25th, at 1 p.m.

A workshop on Health Care Reform Now will also be conducted by Varela on Wednesday, August 26th, at 3:30 p.m. Joining Varela will be Dr. Luciano Baca, an AARP volunteer leader, a former school teacher, who has worked for the New Mexico departments of Education and Finance and Administration, and the Legislative Finance Committee, and his wife, Imelda Baca, also a AARP volunteer leader, a former elementary school principal and teacher.

Egusquiza spearheads the planning and execution of AARP’s work to promote positive social change within the Hispanic community and deliver value to all AARP members.

Prior to joining AARP, she served as Director of Community Development and International Strategy for the Ford Motor Company Fund. She was responsible for international strategies, child passenger safety initiatives, community relations committees, as well as arts, humanities, and American heritage projects. She also worked on corporate initiatives focused on American Indians, Hispanics, women, and other diverse communities.