Love of Aging Co-Founders

Maureen Charles is a founder/principal of the Love of Aging movement, along with her good friends and colleagues, Liz Dietz and Candace Shivers.

Maureen's interest in the nexus of aging and attitude arose from her experience of bereavement following the sudden death of her beloved spouse of 24 years, Emmy-winning arranger and composer Jon Charles, in 2016.

A lifelong educator, writer, and leadership trainer, Maureen brings extensive experience in community leadership, consensus building, and project implementation to Love of Aging. During 27+ years as a program leader for Landmark Worldwide, she coached thousands of people to design, implement, and lead community projects – ranging from neighborhood events to international NGOs – and to be unstoppable in galvanizing their communities to take action and fulfill their visions.

Her passion for community service and her stand for what is possible when communities organize was fostered from an early age by her parents, teachers, and 4-H leaders. She currently serves as Board Chair for Aid Still Required, an international NGO that shines the spotlight on forgotten areas hard hit by natural disasters and funds innovative, custom-tailored schools, healthcare, and social services programs that engender dignity and self-sufficiency for impoverished communities in Haiti.

At age 56, Maureen returned to graduate school. In 2019, she was awarded a Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA) in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has worked as a professional writer and editor for 15+ years and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Authors Guild, and other professional writing organizations. She co-authored a young adult biography titled Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note in the Industry (Chicago Review Press 2023) available everywhere books are sold. Other works in progress include a middle grade novel, several fiction and nonfiction picture books, and an adult memoir about love and loss. 

Maureen lives and writes in Altadena, CA, where three feline office assistants keep her on her toes.

www.maureencharles.com

www.musicmavensbook.com