Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Ireland
Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I earned my Bachelor’s in Communications with a minor in Political Science from St. John Fisher University. However, my career path soon took a different direction. At the end of their lives, both of my parents were cared for at the Hospice of Orleans. Witnessing the compassionate care they received struck a chord with me and prompted me to seek ways to provide essential services to those in my community that need them the most.
Eventually, after dedicating myself to community development, I made a transition to STEM-aligned philanthropy work. I first held the position of Donor Relations & Stewardship Director at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and later served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC). These roles made me realize that my passion lies in helping researchers articulate their findings to the greater public, garnering support for their work, and helping bring forth life-changing science.
In the autumn of 2022, a recruiting agency presented me with the opportunity to lead the Longevity Science Foundation (LSF), a global grantmaking foundation working to make longevity medicine accessible to all. Longevity medicine, an AI-driven branch of healthcare, looks at biological aging as a treatable condition. Currently, it is only accessible to a privileged few due to significant funding asymmetry that leaves early-stage projects and scientific endeavors without adequate resources. Bridging this gap could make healthy human longevity a reality for everyone, alleviating the pain and burden of aging illnesses.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was met with various challenges at different stages of my professional career. Looking back on my journey, I can see how being hesitant to reach out for help led to setbacks. Some people look at it as a display of weakness, refraining from talking to their superiors and mentors about issues they are faced with. In reality it’s crucial to ask for help when you are in need of guidance to make informed decisions. Avoiding to do so will invariably lead to bigger issues down the road.
On that note, I would take a moment to encourage our readers to celebrate their mentors. Our success is paved with their knowledge and experience, and their contributions to our growth as leaders cannot be undervalued.
Another challenge worth pointing out is that of being a workaholic. At times, I prioritized work over other aspects of my life, believing such an approach will yield better results. Over time, I learned the importance of work-life balance. Finding the right balance between home life and career is essential; neglecting this balance will compromise both areas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Longevity Science Foundation (LSF) is a Miami-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting innovative early-stage longevity research. Aging science is underfunded and lacks the resources needed to translate scientific discoveries into practical
interventions and life-saving therapies. This is where our organization steps in: we aim to pave the way for a future where people can live longer, healthier lives free from the burdens of age-related diseases by supporting cutting-edge research, innovative treatments, and revolutionary breakthroughs. Together with our team of key-opinion leaders in longevity science and broader biotech, we are reshaping the landscape of human health and making longevity-focused care and medicine accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, administration, fundraising, donor engagement, strategy, and finance, I oversee the global operations of the LSF. Being a respected figure in both the nonprofit and longevity realms, I leverage my position to promote wider information accessibility and educate the public about healthy human longevity and the urgency of healthspan optimization. I have had the honor of speaking at various conferences and public events, advancing the global discourse on aging science.
If I could leave our readers with the message it would be the following: consider giving your time, effort and resources to support early-stage research on aging. Beyond our shared desire to leave our children with a better chance of living free from debilitating age-related diseases, we must consider the global implications of “unhealthy aging.” The current demographic landscape and the impending silver tsunami put tremendous pressure on our economies, reducing the share of the working population while increasing the proportion of elderly with chronic diseases. By supporting aging research, you can give yourself and those around you the gift of healthy aging and bring much-needed attention to one of the most pressing issues of our time.
How do you think about happiness?
I believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of charitable giving and strive to connect donors with causes they care about. With two children in their twenties, I deeply care about their future and the future of the world they will inherit, hoping to make it a better place through the work we do at LSF.
As a leader, I seek opportunities to support my colleagues’ professional growth, knowing that their personal success elevates our organization as a whole and brings us closer to our ultimate goal of making longevity care and medicine accessible to all.
Contact Info:
- Website: longevity.foundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongevityScienceFoundation
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-e-ireland
- Twitter: @longescience
