Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews
Board Member
SAGE Foundation
A freelance communications professional and speech coach, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews also worked for many years in arts administration and is a former City Councilman. He founded and served as Producing Artistic Director of a theatre company in Dallas and has been involved in the creation of several nonprofit organizations. Prior to his work as a coach, Gaitley worked as a professional actor and director for more than twenty years.
In addition to his ongoing private coaching work, Gaitley serves as a Presbyterian Elder, is an associate member of Calvary A.M.E. Church, chairs the Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service, and is a Trustee of the North Shore Historical Museum. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival, on the boards of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the SAGE Foundation, and the Phoenix Rising Foundation, and is a Founding Member of NOSH Delivers. A longtime advocate for our older population, Gaitley is honored to serve on the Age-Friendly Glen Cove Advisory Board.
What does age-friendly mean to you?
Age-friendly means creating an environment that is not only safe, but that also embraces and celebrates the gifts that residents bring to the equation with their wisdom, insight, intellect, humor, compassion, artistry, and love, and to do this at every stage of life.
While we often celebrate the young entrepreneur or the emerging young artist, and they should be celebrated, we need to also remember that we can and should continue to “emerge” at every stage of life. One of my favorite quotes is from the legendary cellist Pablo Casals. When asked why he continued to practice at age 90, he replied, “Because I think I’m making progress.” May we all have this outlook as we meander down the path of life. I feel our job at Age-Friendly Glen Cove is to do our very best to eliminate any obstacles that may stand in the way of that meandering.
Sometimes this may be working to assure that streets, side walkways, and entryways to buildings are safe. Other times, it may be supporting initiatives that provide assistance to those faced with challenges that sometimes come into play as we age. I truly believe our world is a better place when, across all demographics and across all ages, we work to provide an environment where people can reach their greatest potential. Age-Friendly Glen Cove is an important component of this mission. I could not be more honored and proud to serve on board.