Reimagining the Future of Leadership: Why Aging Services Needs You Now

What If Your Next Job Helped to Make a Real Difference? Apply now to UNCF’s 2025-2026 Aging Services Leadership Fellowship.

Most people don’t grow up dreaming of a career in aging services. But what if it turns out to be the job that actually fits you best? As more and more people live longer, there’s a huge need for new leaders in this field. People who are smart, caring and ready to make a real impact.

UNCF’s Aging Services Leadership Fellowship was created to help young professionals discover this path and grow into leadership roles. You don’t need a healthcare background to apply, just the drive to learn, lead and help others.

We spoke with one of the top voices in the field, Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes—who helped to start the fellowship—to understand the opportunities this program creates. His story proves that where you start isn’t nearly as important as where you’re headed.

From Finance to the Frontlines of Elderly Care: A Conversation with Deke Cateau

Cateau is one of the sector’s leading voices. He is the CEO of A.G. Rhodes, one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofits and most trusted leaders in senior care, and a national board member of LeadingAge, a community of nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-driven organizations serving older adults.

But Cateau didn’t begin his career in aging services. Born and raised in Trinidad, he initially planned to work in international finance after earning a dual degree in history and political science from the University of the West Indies and completing postgraduate studies in international relations.

“I started in the financial services industry,” he said. “But I’ve always had a deep connection to my elders, particularly my grandparents. I was very, very close with them.”

Cateau credits his wife with guiding him into the field. “She felt in her heart that I had the right temperament for aging services,” he said. “And she was right.”

He began as a nursing home administrator and quickly realized how his background brought valuable insight to his work. “I didn’t start out in this field, but I had so much to bring to it,” Cateau said. “Sometimes we pigeonhole ourselves from an employment perspective. Our field needs young, bright individuals. Many of us got here by starting from the ground level and learning the sector. That kind of experiential knowledge is powerful.”

Building the Pipeline

Cateau emphasized the need to intentionally open doors to new talent. “As a network, we began identifying roadblocks preventing individuals from entering our field,” he shared. “One of the biggest was the lack of clear pipelines for young talent.”

“That’s why we began working with UNCF,” he continued. “This fellowship is a workforce imperative. We’re creating a pathway for individuals who may not have even known our sector existed, or the scope of opportunity it holds.”

Cateau explained what’s at the heart of aging services. “Two things set us apart: our mission of caring for older adults and the fact that we are nonprofit organizations. That gives us the chance to give back in deeply meaningful ways.”

On the fellowship’s in-person model, Cateau was clear: “Nursing and healthcare are very hands-on professions. We really struggled during COVID because this work can’t happen virtually. The power of human connection, of empathy, of presence—that’s what makes the difference in our field.”

Cateau, a long-time mentor, understands the importance of mentorship. “I’ve precepted six or seven really sharp young individuals,” he said proudly. “They’re all practicing administrators now. I take that responsibility seriously—it’s how we grow the next generation.”

Worried You’re Not a Fit? Think Again

You don’t need to have worked in healthcare to qualify for this fellowship. That’s the point. Maybe you’ve led a product launch, organized citywide health campaigns, managed cross-functional teams, or developed inclusive marketing strategies. Those are important leadership experiences that translate into skills for the aging services field.

There are a variety of available positions in areas such as hospitality, human resources, finance and information technology. This fellowship can help you bridge the gap between what you’ve done and where your skills can take you. Explore available positions to find ones that best match your interests and strengths.

Fellows will receive comprehensive leadership training. They will explore aging services policy and organizational management through a curriculum developed by the UMBC Erickson School of Aging Studies in Catonsville, MD.

Each fellow will be matched with an experienced mentor and will receive coaching designed to identify transferable skills to reframe their career path.

Hands-on, in-person experiences will prepare fellows to lead teams, build programs and drive meaningful change. Through a foundation in cultural competency and social justice, fellows develop the skills to lead with empathy, advance equity, and foster inclusive environments where all identities are valued and respected

UNCF is With You Beyond Graduation

At UNCF, our work doesn’t end with scholarships or internships. We support you through your entire professional journey, especially at pivotal career moments. If your goal was to be the first in your family to graduate college, we want to help you plan what comes next.

This fellowship is part of that mission: helping you discover meaningful careers and giving you the tools to lead with purpose.

If you’re feeling stuck, unsure about your next step or just ready for something new, this could be the opportunity for you.

Take a fresh look at your experience—chances are, you already have the skills to lead in aging services. With the right guidance and opportunity, your next five years could look completely different.

UNCF’s Aging Services Leadership Fellowship is your chance to explore a purpose-driven career, grow as a leader and make a real impact. Apply now.