ROAR Forward Summit – Re-Imagine the Second Half of Life

ROAR Forward Summit – Hearst Tower, New York City

November 2024

by Debbie Marshall, Managing Director, Silver Marketing Association

Time seems to pass more quickly as you get older, and with it an increased desire to make the most of later life.  As I ascended the majestic escalator at Hearst Tower to attend the second ROAR Forward Summit, I reflected how fast 12 months had passed since the inaugural event, and the impressive progress made by this organisation, led by the tour de force that is Michael Clinton.

ROAR Forward Discussion – How to Disrupt Ageism

This year’s Summit was in two parts, starting with a dinner hosted by Next50 and 1843 Capital, and a passionate presentation by TV celebrity Mika Brzezinski (pictured here on the right) about the first “50 over 50” ageism disruptor list which she launched with Forbes 3 years ago to showcase women who are thriving in their second half of life. Mika is the founder of “Know Your Value”, a community which empowers women to express their personal value and promote gender equality in the workplace.

Mika was interviewed by Tracy Chadwell from 1843 Capital, and spoke about her mission to ensure that women do not fear the “darkness after 50” and are confident enough to ask for a pay rise because they know what they are worth. Mika isn’t stopping there – older women are role models for the next generation, and her latest venture is taking “50 over 50” across cultures and generations to Abu Dhabi to meet  the “30 under 30” list for a glittering intersectional awards ceremony.

And if all of this is not a full-time job, Mika has a daily 4am alarm call to co-host “Morning Joe” on MSNBC with husband Joe Scarborough. At 57, she’s a standard bearer for disrupting ageism. Such energy! Does she ever sleep?

Roar Forward Summit – The New Longevity

The next morning saw nearly 200 people assembling for Buena Vida Costa Rican coffee and pastries before the main Summit.

Following an uplifting introduction from Michael Clinton, we were primed and ready to be informed, enlightened and entertained by a range of expert speakers and panelists. These were interspersed with video “thoughts” from Re-Imagineers who have found new careers, interests and fulfilment in the second half of life.

A synopsis of a selection of panel sessions now follows:

The Intersection of Medicine & Technology

Panel: Carol McIntyre, HearingLife; René Quashie, Consumer Technology Association; Rich Dorment, Men’s Health; David Luu, M.D., Longevity Docs; Dr. Mark Lachs, Weill Cornell Medicine

This panel was superbly chaired by Rich Dorment, Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health, back for a second year.

The most exciting advances in technology are in the longevity sector, and the future is personalized:

• We are all individuals and “one size fits all” treatment (eg. chemotherapy for cancer) is outdated and doesn’t work. Everyone’s disease is different.
• Wearables (smart watches, trackers, glasses) are the future, combining biological data with technology to provide personal longevity plans of prevention and treatment, supported by a doctor every step of the way.
• Your wearable will be able to monitor every aspect of health, digestion and all bodily functions. This even includes a “smart toilet” app with built-in urinary and bowel sensors to record your every movement!
• The challenges will be cost, reliability, accuracy, ease of use and privacy / security concerns around data storage & sharing
• Most people neglect their hearing, yet it’s proven that hearing loss leads to withdrawal from society, depression and can even cause dementia.
• Hearing aid technology is using AI to adjust to the environment and body movement – hearing aids are becoming increasingly light and discreet.
• The next stage will be medication to slow or even stop ageing – eg. Metformin, used to treat diabetes, but found to have anti-ageing properties

Financial Wealthspan & Long-Term Planning

Jill Schlesinger, CBS News; My Chi To, Voya Financial; Jennifer Galvagna,
Bank of America Private Bank

Jill Schlesinger, Business Analyst from CBS News and the “Jill on Money” podcast, was moderating, and brought her vast knowledge, quick wit and dynamism to a fascinating panel discussion:

• Over half of people aged 50+ in the US with assets of $3m+ don’t have estate plans
• $80 TRN (that’s right – 80 trillion dollars) will be passing from baby boomers to the next generation
• The vast majority of Americans are under-saved for retirement (you may disagree with Trump on many things, but the Republicans are expected to encourage savings)
• Most American claim their social security retirement benefits too early –you can claim between the ages of 62-70, but you will be nearly 30% worse off if you claim at 62

How Images Empower the 50+ Consumer

Ali Goldstein, L’Oréal Paris USA; Annette Dunleavy, QVC; Susan Lee Colby, Grace Creative; Stellene Volandes, Town & Country and Elle Décor

Chaired by Stellene Volandes, an age disruptor who walks the walk with the annual Town & Country OG issue which celebrates older people.  As Stellene wisely commented “You can’t be it unless you see it”.

• QVC’s core customers are women over 50 who are active with money to spend and are aspirational. They’re being targeted with a new programme – the Age of Possibility – which focuses on authenticity and inspiration. Their Facebook group “Over 50 & Fabulous” is growing at pace
• L’Oreal have worked with older celebrities such as Helen Mirren & Andie McDowall for over 30 years
• The beauty industry has done a great job repositioning itself as a wellness category
• Susan Colby called out advertisements that celebrate women just because of how great they look “for their age”. Ads should instead celebrate their achievements
• Why do ads never show older people working?
• Why do ads show boomers that are not tech savvy?
• Old age is not the problem, old ideas are
• A positive view of ageing can increase life expectancy by 8 years

Best quote of the session from Susan Lee Colby – “Age makes me the smartest person in the room”.

Design for Life

The final session was chaired by Steele Marcoux, Editor-in-Chief at Veranda and focused on  good design, with the panel seated on elegantly crafted Janus et Cie chairs. They looked jolly comfortable too, whatever your age.

Janus & Cie provide furniture for over 50% of all ocean based cruises – they see this market as healthy, strong and booming:

• Cruise ships are a great test bed for design, fit, weather etc.
• If furniture is robust enough for cruise ships, using materials which stand the test of time, it will work in a garden.
• The provision of shade is essential as is quality, well-positioned lighting
• Seat height of around 19 inches is optimal
• Balconies should be identical with furniture which can also be brought inside in bad weather
• Tactile materials are very important, aiming to create muscle memory of fabrics – such as corduroy
• Older people are staying active – design needs to include provision for this eg. pickleball

Lunch with Gayle King and Julianna Margueles

After the sessions finished, the summit ended with lunch and an interview by CBS Mornings host Gayle King with actress Julianna Margueles on the 44^th floor with views across Central Park. What a privilege to listen to two women in the prime of their lives and careers. Julianna is currently starring on Broadway in Left on 10^th Street, a true story of love, romance and fate for two strangers in their 70s, one of whom just happens to be the sister of Nora Ephron.  It was an enchanting and riveting discussion and the perfect way to conclude a brilliant Summit.

Debbie with Jacynth Bassett from Ageism is Never in Style