As AARP’s chief public policy officer, Debra Whitman leads policy development, analysis, research, and global thought leadership to advance the interests of individuals 50-plus and their families. She oversees AARP’s Public Policy Institute, AARP Research, Office of Policy Development and Integration, Thought Leadership, and AARP International. An economist, she is an authority on aging issues and has extensive experience in national policymaking and domestic and international research. Dr. Whitman holds master’s and doctorate degrees in economics from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s in economics, math and Italian from Gonzaga University.