Jay Haapala is associate state director – community engagement with AARP Minnesota, serving older Minnesotans and those who will be someday. He leads volunteers, education programs and community development initiatives, and works with his team on legislative advocacy campaigns. All of these efforts are designed as partnerships with individuals and organizations to achieve a more equitable and greater good. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards in aging services, volunteer program administration, and now environmental conservation, which was an early interest when he earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and leisure services from Minnesota State University, Mankato.