About Us
Our Mission
I’m Still Here Foundation (ISH) helps people living with dementia to flourish through engagement in life, family and community. ISH supports programs that engage persons living with dementia and their care partners in arts, culture and community. ISH seeks to spread the message of hope and possibility, especially to underserved individuals and communities.
Our History
Our Story
The I’m Still Here Foundation was founded in 1996 by
Dr. John Zeisel to promote and support the I’m Still Here principles for persons living with dementia (PLWD).
This non-pharmacological approach to the care and treatment of memory loss and dementia has transformed perspectives on dementia care.
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Dr. Zeisel’s book, I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care, published in 2009, introduced this paradigm-shifting approach, offering both scientific and practical insights. The book describes several of the Foundation’s innovative programs and has reached tens
of thousands of readers worldwide, demonstrating the enduring impact of the I’m Still Here principles.​
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​​​The Foundation fosters the use of visual arts and cultural events in communities and care facilities to help persons living with dementia remain engaged and fulfilled while supporting caregivers in maintaining meaningful relationships. Its influential Artists for Alzheimer’s (ARTZ) programs have enriched the lives of thousands of PLWD.
In 2001, the Foundation launched the Meet Me at the Museum program at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, which has since been adopted by museums worldwide. A parallel initiative, Meet Me at the Movies, started in Boston and has expanded to cities like Seattle and Paris, among others. These programs highlight the Foundation’s significant national and international reach. Another impactful initiative, It Takes a Village, was first piloted in Brookline, Massachusetts, and inspired a vibrant citywide program for PLWD in Seattle called Momentia.
In 2020, the Foundation shifted its focus to helping communities, organizations, and care facilities develop and implement innovative, life-enhancing programs for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners. Through its grants, the Foundation provides seed funding to launch programs rooted in the I’m Still Here principles, ensuring continued engagement, joy, and dignity for PLWD and their families.
Our Leadership
Staff
Susan Law – Executive Director A Nashville, TN native and Simmons College graduate (Economics and Mathematics), Susan Law has had a diverse career as a Management Consultant at Arthur D. Little, Senior Project Coordinator at MIT’s NERC, and residential real estate broker in Boston's metro-west area since 1987. She is also a Principal at Raskin Holdings LLC in Nashville. After moving to Wayland, MA in 1978, Susan raised twins and later became involved with the Learning for Life program and The Hearthstone Institute in 2012. Inspired by her husband’s journey with dementia, Susan is passionate about supporting individuals with memory impairment and their caregivers through the I’m Still Here Foundation.
Lauren McClellan – Communication Coordinator Lauren McClellan has 18+ years of expertise in network marketing. She is the owner of On the Books Bookkeeping Company and ensures financial clarity and precision for a range of businesses. She also serves as a Project Manager for several organizations. When she’s not managing her professional ventures, Lauren dedicates her time to her family as a proud mother of four.
Andrea Alberto – Development Manager Andrea is excited to be supporting the I’m Still Here Foundation’s Fundraising and Development! Andrea brings nearly a decade of nonprofit development experience to ISH and is thrilled to be part of ISH’s commitment to changing the narrative around dementia from one of despair to one of hope.
Dr. Sandra Copman – Program Manager Dr. Copman began her career as an art therapist and visual artist, later transitioning to development and fundraising in the special education field. She helped create the Strive Program, a national model for students with disabilities transitioning to adulthood. Over the years, she has raised millions for causes like disability rights, mental health, and education. Sandra also served as Director of Development at the Center for Teen Empowerment, supporting BIPOC youth leaders. After her work for Teen Empowerment, Sandra became the Director of Public Grants for Ascentria Care Alliance in Worcester, MA, one of the largest community service agencies and refugee resettlement centers in New England empowering people to move forward and thrive beyond adversity.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors governs the I’m Still Here Foundation and sets its strategic direction. The Board meets formally four times a year.
Jerry Pucillo – President Jerry has over 30 years of experience in real estate development, project management, and strategic planning. He developed over 1,000 senior housing units and created Elder Life, a social service program for the Archdiocese of Boston, now part of Catholic Charities.
Chris Kincaid – Treasurer Co-founder of Trinity Senior Management, Chris has dedicated his career to improving senior care. He has held leadership roles at Abe’s Garden Community and Americare Senior Living, overseeing multi-million-dollar operations. Chris is a former Oklahoma Assisted Living Association board member and a University of Central Oklahoma graduate.
Nooshin Ahmadi – Board Member Nooshin Ahmadi is a lecturer at the department of Human Centered Design at Cornell University. She is a registered architect, design researcher, and educator whose primary interest is research-driven design approaches to fitting objects, spaces, and experiences to human needs, capabilities, and behaviors.
Reese Fayde, MA – Board Member Reese was the first CEO of Living Cities, directing $543 million in investments that leveraged $15 billion for urban development. With 25 years of consulting experience, she has worked with HUD, state agencies, and community organizations to revitalize housing. Reese is a Boston College graduate and a Loeb Fellow at Harvard.
Nicole Gann, MS, SPHR – Board Member CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities, Nicole has extensive leadership experience in aging services. A graduate of the University of Texas, she is a board member of LeadingAge Texas and has completed leadership training with the Stagen Integral Leadership Program.
Kenneth Goldstein – Board Member A senior partner at Goldstein & Herndon LLP in Brookline, MA, Ken specializes in real estate, corporate law, and estate planning. He has chaired the Brookline Select Board and Planning Board and is active in community organizations, including Rotary Club and affordable housing committees.
Marilyn Raichle, MPA – Board Member Founder of The Art of Alzheimer’s, Marilyn promotes creative arts for individuals with dementia. She is the Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care and a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Dana Ullom-Vucelich – Board Member Dana Ullom-Vucelich is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Ohio Living, one of the nation’s Largest Top 25 Not-for-Profit Multi-Site Senior Living Organizations. In addition to HR, Dana has leadership oversight for spiritual life and memory care programmatic excellence.
Dr. Jacqueline Vischer, PhD – Board Member An expert in environmental psychology, Dr. Vischer advises on designing spaces that prioritize human behavior and well-being. A professor emeritus at the University of Montreal, she has authored five books on her work.
Dr. John Zeisel, PhD – Founder and Board Member Founder of the I’m Still Here Foundation, John is a leader in dementia care. Author of I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care, he holds a PhD in Sociology from Columbia and a Loeb Fellowship from Harvard.
Our Founder
Dr. John Zeisel
Dr. John Zeisel is an internationally recognized expert
in dementia care and treatment innovation. His groundbreaking work has advanced understanding
of how environmental design reduces anxiety, aggression, and apathy among persons living with dementia, fostering engagement among families and caregivers while reducing reliance on medication.
As the founder and former CEO of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, John developed the I’m Still Here approach, which underpins the Foundation’s
programs. His book I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy
of Alzheimer’s Care (Penguin/Avery, 2009), available
in multiple languages, highlights the neuroscientific ​
evidence social shift required to replace despair with hope in dementia care.​
John has published extensively on seniors' needs, cognitive issues, and policy research. His book Inquiry by Design: Environment/Behavior/Neuroscience in Architecture (W.W. Norton, 2006) is widely used in academia. He has held faculty positions at institutions including Yale, Harvard, McGill, and Salford universities and earned a PhD in Sociology from Columbia University, a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard, and an Honorary Doctorate from Salford University (UK).
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John’s leadership has resulted in award-winning design guidebooks, housing developments, and prototype facilities. He also hosted Hopeful Aging, a community TV show highlighting innovative work in dementia care. Articles about his work have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, The Gerontologist, and Harvard Magazine.
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He has received numerous accolades from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Institute of Architects, and the Environmental Design Research Association. John has served on the boards of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, Abe’s Garden, and the Kim & Glen Campbell Foundation.
Still loved
Still engaged
Still here
The I’m Still Here engagement principles are proven to make a difference.
I’m Still Here Principles
1. STILL HERE: Engage the full person – their attention, enjoyment, and creativity – not just a part; they are still here.
2. AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT: Offer present-moment activities that authentically engage immediate attention with no need for recall or planning.
3. PURPOSEFUL: Generate opportunities for purpose and meaning through activities that each person cares about, including inviting them to help and support others.
4. SELF EXPRESSION: Use all the senses in creative arts to enable persons living with dementia to learn to express themselves.
5. COMPETENCE: Encourage each individual to use their own knowledge and abilities, as well as to master new skills.
6. CHOICE: Respect each person’s choices; involve them in decisions that affect them.
7. SHARING ENGAGEMENT: Integrate care partners into activities so as to support care partners and reinforce existing relationships.
8. COMMUNITY: Access and use venues and resources in the community when possible, so as to embed engagement programs in the community.
9. REACH OUT: Engage persons with dementia living at home as well as in other settings.
10. SPREAD THE WORD: Keep family and community partners informed about innovative programs that authentically engage persons living with dementia.