Rodney Harrell, PhD

Rodney Harrell is a thought leader and change agent. He is AARP’s lead on housing issues, leading the creation of strategy, industry partnerships and solutions in that space.  As VP, Family Home and Community, he also leads AARP Public Policy Institute’s team of issue experts on long-term services, family caregiving and livable communities. He is also a blogger, researcher and innovator, and he is lead creator of the award-winning AARP Livability Index™ platform, the world's first nationwide, neighborhood-based livability index, and a leader of other key innovations.

Dr. Harrell graduated summa cum laude from the honors program at Howard University; earned dual master’s degrees in public affairs and urban planning from Princeton University; and received a PhD in urban planning from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, was named to the initial class of Top Influencers in Aging, and sits on several boards and commitees.