Ken Dychtwald, PhD

Over the past 35+ years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, economic and workforce implications of the age wave.

Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, documentary filmmaker and best-selling author of 16 books on aging and health-related issues, including Bodymind; Age Wave: The Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging Society; Healthy Aging, and A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement, and Success. He is currently writing two new books – The Longevity Economy is Hiding in Plain Sight and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. He was the executive producer and host of the highly rated/acclaimed PBS documentary, The Boomer Century: 1946–2046.

Since 1986, Ken has been the founding CEO of Age Wave, a firm created to guide companies and government groups in product/service development for boomers and mature adults. His client list has included over half the Fortune 500, and his explorations and innovative solutions have fertilized and catalyzed a broad spectrum of industry sectors—from pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to automotive design and retail merchandising, to financial planning and health insurance.

Ken has served as a fellow of the World Economic Forum, and was a featured speaker at two White House Conferences on Aging. He has twice received the distinguished American Society on Aging Award for outstanding national leadership, and American Demographics honored him as the single most influential marketer to baby boomers over the past quarter century. His article in the Harvard Business Review, “It’s Time to Retire Retirement,” was awarded the prestigious McKinsey Award, tying for first place with the legendary Peter Drucker. Ken was honored by Investment Advisor as one of the 35 most influential thought leaders in the financial services industry over the past 35 years. He and his wife Maddy recently received the Esalen Prize for their outstanding contributions to advancing the human potential of aging men and women worldwide.

During his career, Ken has addressed more than two million people worldwide in his speeches to corporate, association, social service, and government groups. His strikingly accurate predictions and innovative ideas are regularly featured in leading print and electronic media worldwide.

In 2012 in partnership with Peter Diamandis, Ken conceived of the idea of an Alzheimer’s XPRIZE which just earned the top scores at the 2017 Visioneers Summit. With an expected 2018 launch date, the team’s bold impact proposal is preparing to globally crowdsource a new 21st century approach to ending Alzheimer’s disease.