Friend of the Elderly

The Friend of the Elderly award is given annually to an individual or organization making a substantial and/or unique contribution to the health, housing, social, psychological, or spiritual quality of older adults’ lives.

Friend of the Elderly Awardees

2025 Friend of the Elderly

Dr. Laura Trejo
Director
Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department

Dr. Laura Trejo is the Director of the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department, where she leads initiatives to improve the quality of life for older adults and individuals with disabilities. With over 36 years of experience in aging, health, and rehabilitation, Dr. Trejo has been instrumental in developing programs like Purposeful Aging Los Angeles (PALA) and the Los Angeles Aging Disability Resource Connection. Her work focuses on ensuring dignity and independence for these communities through culturally competent services.

“For more than 36 years, Dr. Trejo has worked to ensure that older adults and adults with disabilities can live and age with dignity. She is an influential leader and advocate for our most vulnerable populations. I can think of no one more deserving than Dr. Laura Trejo to be honored as RHF’s 2025 Friend of the Elderly. We are grateful for her commitment to our seniors and her leadership in LA County.” Stephanie Titus, Chief Strategy Officer & Vice President of Philanthropy.

Dr. Trejo’s leadership has earned her numerous honors, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Community Health Leadership award and recognition as one of the “50 Most Influential Women” by Los Angeles Magazine. Her commitment to advocacy for vulnerable populations has made her a recognized leader in the field of aging and disability services.

RHF is pleased to present Dr. Laura Trejo with the 2025 Friend of the Elderly Award.

Congratulations to all of our past award recipients!

2024 – Tiena Johnson Hall, Executive Director of CA Housing Finance Agency
2023 – Dr. Barbara White and Ms. Patti LaPlace
2022 – Dr. Laverne R. Joseph, Former President and CEO, Retirement Housing Foundation
2020 – Scott P. Moore, Legal Specialist, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2019 – Steve Protulis, President / CEO, Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corporation
2018 – Tom Slemmer, President / CEO (retired)
2017 – Jim Bowman, President & CEO, National Affordable Housing Trust
2016 – David Schless, President & CEO, American Senior Housing Association
2015 – Kristina Cook, Executive Director
2014 – Ellie Hollander, President & CEO, Meals on Wheels Association of America
2013 – Henry Cisneros, Former Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
2012 – Jay Schochet and Richard Henken, Schochet Associates, Inc.
2011 – Larry Minnix, President, Leading Age
2010 – Thomas Gleason, Executive Director, Mass Housing
2009 – Jan Perry, Los Angeles Councilwoman
2008 – Carl A. Ballton, President & CEO, Union Bank of California Foundation
2007 – Tom Jenkins, Judge
2006 – Barney Frank, Congressman