I was in a hotel room on business the other night when I heard a report that age 60 is the new 40. Dr. Michael Roizen, chief medical wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic, said your chronological age isn't your biological or real age. New research argues, according to Erika Edwards at NBC News, that as life expectancy continues to rise, age 60 should not be considered old. This age should be considered middle age, because these days many people, for a variety of reasons, embark on second or third careers that could include philanthropy. The experts say exercise daily, managing stress, sticking to a healthy diet and not smoking is important. I also believe having a confident attitude and outlook is important. My mother always said the key to good health and a happy life is "having something to look forward to."
Let's now think about colleagues in the senior stage of their careers in the development field. Many of these individuals have worked for at least five to seven not-for-profits and have been leaders in the community. They have been the ones that provide lectures on various topics, at times write on nonprofit trends and served as executives of professional fundraising groups. Many have mentored young professionals and helped countless others get jobs in and out of the profession. They have made a career helping generate tremendous amounts of time, talent and treasure for their organizations plus others in a volunteer capacity. They have been in the top of their profession. These role models now find themselves in their 60s. While they may just be entering middle age according to research, they have decided after all of these years to leave the profession. Does anyone care or has anyone made any effort to recognize them for a job well done?
- Categories:
- Baby Boomers
- NonProfit Pro

Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a masterโs degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelorโs degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville. ย ย ย ย ย ย
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. Heย has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.