From the Desk of Ann McQueen

December 21, 2022

As the TimeSlips community continues to grow, we’re introducing you to each of our team members and highlighting the work that benefits YOUR creative engagement. From managing myriad details of member requests, creating content for communications, to individual training and large-scale organizational partnerships, these are the faces behind the TimeSlips team. It’s our joy to get to know you, and for you to get to know us!

This week we would like to introduce you to Ann McQueen.

What’s your role at TimeSlips?
I’m the brand new executive director of this wonderful organization!

What drew you to working with TimeSlips?
I’ve been an admirer of Anne Basting’s work and of TimeSlips for quite some time. I read Anne’s book, Forget Memory, when I was in graduate school in 2010, and I was hooked. When I saw the announcement that TimeSlips was looking for an executive director, I felt called to apply. It really is my dream job!

How and why did you get involved in this work?
I’ve been interested in the way we communicate with and about people experiencing dementia, and I think we can do so much better at connecting meaningfully. Creative engagement is a terrific way to do this, and I wanted to be part of that.

How does having an artistic background support your work in elder care?
I am fortunate to have a BFA in musical theater, and in the 25 years I’ve worked with and on behalf of older adults, that degree has served me incredibly well. The arts are a universal language. They provide a pathway for human connection, even if (and especially when!) a person has challenges communicating verbally. And we ALL need human connection!

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
It’s a tie between Carol Burnett and Lizzo. I’m a lifelong Carol Burnett fan. She broke new ground in comedy and made audiences feel like they were part of her inner circle. And Lizzo is so multi-talented and joyful. Her laugh is contagious, and she exudes positivity. Both of these women are really inspiring to me.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate chip cookie dough! Yum!

What would be your perfect day off?
Waking up at Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon; having a breakfast burrito, snow skiing for a few hours, stopping for lunch, taking a leisurely nap, reading a good book in front of a crackling fire, having dinner with friends or family, playing some board games, and falling asleep with it snowing outside.