Today’s seniors are not the same as those of just a generation ago. Many are simply not ready to completely retire regardless of how many birthdays they have celebrated. Feeling fulfilled and giving back are two important desires expressed by those who contact Experience Matters, an organization making a difference in the Valley by “connecting the skills and talents of experienced adults with the diverse needs of nonprofit organizations to build a stronger, more vibrant community.”
It was a natural connection for Linda Mushkatel when she retired earlier than expected from the Maricopa County government. It’s not just the tenor of her voice but also the enthusiasm when she speaks that belies Linda Mushkatel’s status as a “senior.” She knew when she retired in January that she was not done giving of herself or her talents.
Linda’s 32-year professional career in Maricopa County government focused on issues and programs addressing special populations, including persons with serious mental illness, Arizonans with indigent health and behavioral healthcare needs, adults experiencing homelessness, and adults and juveniles engaged with the criminal justice system. As the Maricopa County special projects manager, she managed the Justice System Planning and Information Department and also played a county leadership role (planning, programming and capital campaign lead) in the development of the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix for adults experiencing homelessness.
Prior to her work with the criminal justice system and Human Services Campus, she served as the vice president for managed care at the Maricopa Integrated Health System, where she was responsible for their Medicaid and Medicare Plans. During her early years with Maricopa County, Linda was responsible for the Health Care Agency’s planning, training and contract administration functions and helped develop the initial community support system for adults with serious mental illness.
Upon her retirement, Linda contacted Experience Matters and became an Encore Fellow. She felt extremely fortunate that she was assigned to the Human Services Campus to which she had already become so attached. The campus is in the process of integrating three of their nonprofits into a cohesive unit – combining boards, maintaining and clarifying missions and generally learning to work cooperatively. “This is a place for my whole career to come together,” Linda says. She plans to use her knowledge and skills to help the groups merge harmoniously.
Linda is a long-time resident of the East Valley, where she has been a member of Temple Emanuel in Tempe for 30+ years. Her daughter, Jessica Burnquist, became a bat mitzvah there. Jessica is an English teacher at Combs High School in the San Tan Valley. She received her MFA as a poet and worked with Rabbi Barton Lee of Hillel on her final presentation, which encompassed Holocaust poetry. Linda’s son, Zachary, also became a bar mitzvah at Temple Emanuel. Zach is now a partner in Mushkatel, Robbins and Becker law firm in Sun City. Linda served on the Temple Board and taught fourth-grade Hebrew there for 10 years.
With these deep roots, Linda credits her Jewishness in a great degree with her feeling a continuing need to contribute to the good of the whole. “It is such a great experience to be able to help in a meaningful way at this point in my life,” she says. “It’s a double blessing that I am able to continue some of the work I was doing when I was a county employee and see this great campus become even greater. The goal of the campus, located in downtown Phoenix, is a ‘regional approach to ending homelessness,’ and I’m proud to be a part of such a noble cause.”
Experience Matters began after a pilot program and financial resources were supplied by the Virginia G. Piper Trust. Experience Matters, which matches retired individuals with nonprofits in need of their services, seeks additional funding from local corporations. American Express, Bank of America, Intel, PetSmart and Cox Communications are just some of the contributing partners. Encore Fellows is a national program, but is administered by the local Experience Matters. The Encore Fellows are paid a stipend for their time and expertise working on a particular project that will take the nonprofit to the next level. Most Fellows come from the for-profit world; Linda thinks she may be one of the few from the government arena.
Experience Matters also offers regular workshops and discussion groups for Boomers contemplating their “Encore” career moves. For information on Experience Matters, contact experiencemattersaz.org.
