LeadingAge Colorado Staff & Policy Consultants

LeadingAge Colorado Staff

   Deborah Lively - President and CEO

In her role as President & CEO, Deborah is responsible for collaboratively achieving LeadingAge Colorado’s mission and for oversight of the governance, administration, programs and strategic plan for the organization. Prior to this role, she served as the association’s director of public policy and public affairs and was responsible for managing LeadingAge Colorado’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts. Prior to coming to LeadingAge Colorado in 2015, she served as the director of Governmental Affairs for the Tennessee Health Care Association. Deborah is a native Coloradan and a graduate of Colorado State University.

 Sarah McVeigh - Director of Education and Member Development

Sarah McVeigh is the Director of Education and Member Development of LeadingAge Colorado. She joined the Association in May 2013, and has over 20 years of association experience, including 17 years in the senior living/aging services industry. Prior to joining LeadingAge Colorado, Sarah served as Member and State Relations Administrator of LeadingAge in Washington, D.C.  Sarah has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and has earned the designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives.

Joseph Dubroff - Director of Government Affairs

Joe Dubroff started his tenure as LeadingAge Colorado’s Director of Government Affairs in December 2024. He brings significant experience in advocacy, grassroots and grasstops activation, and strategic communications, as well as volunteer experience on the board of a LeadingAge Colorado member organization. Joseph was most recently the Program Manager for State Mobilization at the American Petroleum Institute in Colorado. He has also worked in corporate communications at Western Union and in government affairs and community engagement at JEWISHcolorado. Joseph received a MA in International Security from the Korbel School at the University of Denver and a BA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

Policy Consultants

Terry Zamell, MSW - Senior Policy Analyst

Before consulting with LeadingAge Colorado, Terry retired from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division for 26 years.  Terry began her career as a health surveyor and subsequently became the manager of the Assisted Living Residence and Medication Administration programs.  Her duties included program development, regulatory interpretation, oversight of survey and complaint processes, enforcement, and supervision of a team of health professionals.   Terry received several awards during her tenure at CDPHE including surveyor of the year, Colorado state manager of the year and distinguished service award.  Prior to employment at CDPHE, Terry was the assistant to the state long term care ombudsman for five years, providing advocacy services to residents of nursing homes.