Community Partners

Elizabeth Johnson, MA
Peaceful Presence Project

The Peaceful Presence Project’s mission is to reimagine and transform the way communities talk about, plan for and experience the last stage of life. They are cultivating a Compassionate Communities Model of Care in the United States, and improving death literacy to improve end-of-life experiences for all. The organization offers a comprehensive range of palliative support, including education, holistic advance care planning services, and compassionate end-of-life bedside presence to residents in Central Oregon and beyond. The organization was formed in 2019 by a dedicated team of passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds in nursing, community development, education, and caregiving. Elizabeth Johnson is co-founder and Executive Director of The Peaceful Presence Project. Holding a Master’s degree in Community and Urban Planning, Elizabeth has traveled extensively as an educator and facilitator, cultivating a deep interest in the cultural and social frameworks that shape human experiences of illness, grief, and death. She serves on the leadership council of Public Health Palliative Care International and is a board member of the Central Oregon Council on Aging. Additionally, Elizabeth is a graduate and current faculty member of the Anamcara Project, where her work focuses on grief, loss, and resilience. Elizabeth is deeply committed to advancing death and grief literacy within local communities, promoting honest and transformative dialogue around the complexities of dying and bereavement.

David Klein
Technologist

David J. Klein is an AI strategist and technology executive focused on translating innovation into impact across aging, health, sustainability, and equity. As a Senior Innovation Partner to CAFE, he draws on over two decades of interdisciplinary work in communication, mobility, housing, healthcare, and conservation.

David has led the development of AI-driven tools to support climate resilience and equitable infrastructure planning. He has pioneered new therapeutic approaches combining AI and neural interfaces to address neurodegenerative conditions. His work also spans inclusive housing initiatives focused on multigenerational living, and the use of AI to scale biodiversity monitoring and conservation impact.

His partnership with CAFE reflects a commitment to applying data-driven tools to create healthier, age-friendly communities and environments.

Mike King
Pear Street Consulting

Mike King specializes in managing strategic planning and community engagement projects for city and county agencies. He is responsible for achieving project goals and deliverables and overseeing the day-to-day administration of each project. Mike leverages his nearly 10 years as a public sector analyst/manager and his public policy degree to quickly understand local contexts with both agency staff and executive leadership, and to meet client needs in a timely and thoughtful manner. He has written numerous plans and analytical reports to support implementation strategy and investments in a wide-range of policy issues, with particular expertise in older adult services and community and workforce development.

The human-centered approach Mike brings to each project was honed while as a member of CivicMakers, a small public sector planning firm based in San Francisco; he managed numerous high-impact projects from September 2021 through April 2023. Previously, he was the Program Evaluation Manager with the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development from July 2017 through April 2021. He also held policy analyst roles with San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth & Their Families, and Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Prior to moving to San Francisco in 2015, Mike started his public sector career as a human services analyst with the Washtenaw County Office for Community and Economic Development in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received his Master of Public Policy degree from Michigan State University in 2012, and his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Boston University in 2006.

Jenny Jinyoung Lee, Ph.D.
Public Health Gerontologist, Program Evaluator

Dr. Lee is a member of the research faculty at the Center on Aging at the University of Hawaiʻi, where she earned her Ph.D. in Public Health. As a public health gerontologist, she specializes in program evaluation and implementation science, with a focus on improving the quality of life for older adults—particularly those in underserved communities.

Her work integrates mixed-methods research, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative data tools to support age-friendly communities and public health systems. She currently leads several evaluation efforts for aging-related programs, including those that enhance nutrition for older adults, strengthen the aging services workforce, and support persons with dementia and their caregivers. These evaluations emphasize improving service delivery, addressing health disparities, and informing policy and practice.

Dr. Lee is committed to bridging research and real-world impact. She brings extensive experience in designing and conducting evaluations, analyzing population-level data, facilitating focus groups, engaging diverse community stakeholders, and translating data into actionable insights. Her background in digital tool development also enhances her ability to share research findings in accessible and user-friendly ways.