About Us
The Guardianship Policy Institute exists to inspire policy change and social justice for isolated adults with unmet decisional support needs. We serve as a bridge between the traditional guardianship model and the growing movement toward flexible, rights-based alternatives.
Founded in 2014 as a collaboration between Guardian Community Trust and Greater Boston Legal Services, the Institute provides thought leadership across four core areas: Advocacy, Service, Reform, and Research.
Our Mission
The mission of the Guardianship Policy Institute is to inspire policy change and social justice for isolated adults with unmet decisional support needs in Massachusetts. We are committed to understanding and improving access to guardianship and its alternatives for all persons who, due to functional impairment, are unable to care for themselves or manage their property without help — especially those without the personal or financial resources to seek help privately.
Meet Our Members
Peter M. Macy, Ed.M., J.D.
Executive Director of Guardian Community Trust, Inc.
Wynn A. Gerhard, Esq.
Elder Justice Fellow at Massachusetts Guardianship Policy Institute and Guardian Community Trust
Heather L. Connors, Ph.D.
Executive Director of The Center for Guardianship Excellence
Hon. Gen. Scott Harshbarger
Senior Counsel at Casner & Edwards
John J. Ford, Esq.
Director of the Elder Law Project at the Northeast Justice Center in Lynn, MA
Paul Lanzikos
Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services, Inc.
Joanne Tompkins, Ph.D.
Research Associate at the Center for Guardianship Excellence
Jenaya Tucker, DHA, LICSW
Clinical Director of Public Guardian Services
Mariya Kubishyn, J.D.
Operations Manager for Public Guardian Services
Our Partners
