For over three decades, Paul Downey has been one of the leading voices for older adults in San Diego County. As former CEO of Serving Seniors and now Chief Advocacy Officer at the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, Paul has spent his career transforming what it means to support vulnerable older adults — and that work continues today.
In a recent episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, host Jaime Levine sat down with Paul to talk about his path from broadcast journalism into nonprofit leadership, and what’s driven him to advocate for seniors for more than 30 years.
Under Paul’s leadership, Serving Seniors grew into a nationally recognized organization — one that now delivers more than 1.5 million meals annually and operates over 500 units of affordable senior housing across San Diego County. Behind those numbers is a simple truth: consistent access to housing, nutrition, healthcare, and community support is what allows older adults to stay healthy, independent, and connected.
That truth is central to the work of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. As the challenges facing low-income older adults continue to grow, sustained investment in these foundational services isn’t optional — it’s what makes aging with dignity possible.
Want to hear the full conversation? Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.