About Us
Our Story
Klaatch | /klaCH/ noun
(from the German Kaffeeklatsch)
An informal gathering to socialize and gossip.
The story of Klaatch begins with the love of a parent, a son for his father. It was a lifetime of family and laughter. After the death of my mother, I saw my father's fall from happiness into the shroud of grief... and then into anger. And from health into illness. I was witness to his slow descent into loneliness and social isolation. However I tried, I could not pull him back to us.
It inspired my vision to end the staggering burden of loneliness on older adults. And so the search to profoundly understand loneliness began-the books, the late nights devouring research, seeking out experts, and sharing stories with others. Could we form groups-not for support or therapy, but for connection? Could we encourage friendship and happiness? Could we halt the persistency of loneliness? We called ourselves Klaatch. Klaatch comes from Kaffeeklatsch, the German notion to meet, gather, and gossip.
We settled in to help form groups. A small tribe of Klaatch workers on a mission began to unfold. We wrote a playbook to help guide our groups. We developed training for coaches and a network of support. We tested. We modified, tested again. We kept at it. We saw a light in older adults begin to shine again as they refreshed their ability to connect, and shed their Habits of Loneliness. And then we asked the question, how do we know if this is working? Are we effective? Data scientists joined our mission and provided a framework for discovery. We formed partnerships, we analyzed, and we found meaning. The sense of our discovery is thrilling.
Klaatch's Social Quotient finds measurable insight into changes in both individual and community connection over time. Our platform is the data foundation for informed innovation. We help organizations focused on older adults find where loneliness and social isolation are rooted. And then we help engage those who have not engaged, those who need to re-find friendships, those who can, once again, socially connect. Today, with the limitations imposed on older adults due to the worldwide pandemic, we could not have a more important mission.
I'm so proud of what our team is accomplishing. Thank you for listening.
To all those working to end loneliness and social isolation in the older adult community --- thank you.
- Adam C. Greene, CEO and Founder
Meet Our Team
CEO and Founder
Adam D. Greene
Spent the last 10-years reading everything I could find on social disconnection. Entrepreneur and former investment banker, senior public and private company executive with over 25+ years of experience. Broad expertise in finance, management, strategy, M&A, restructuring and capital raising.
“I had a conversation with my Dad’s healthcare coordinator about the role loneliness was playing in my father’s deteriorating health. I shared with him my ideas to help older adults overcome loneliness and he insisted I quit my job and pursue a solution, since services were lacking and desperately needed. This was my tipping point for founding Klaatch.”
Chief Data Engineer
Elana Duffy
Former Army counterintelligence specialist. Experienced data scientist with a strong background in using artificial intelligence, including machine learning and natural language processing algorithms. Founder of Pathfinder.vet, a data analytic service focused on the veteran and other underserved communities.
“As a combat veteran I’ve seen what loneliness can do to friends and family, even when surrounded by other people. The military and veteran communities get hit hard with the health effects of loneliness and it can become a life-long problem if we don’t identify and act early on.”
Chief Innovation Officer
Elif Alpoge
Expert in design thinking and innovation, driving transformative healthcare solutions. Her expertise in securing NIH grants and navigating patenting processes enhances her approach. With a strong understanding of FDA regulations, she advances health technologies and fosters groundbreaking industry developments.
“Loneliness can be a powerful catalyst for innovation; it pushes us to seek connection and understanding, ultimately driving us to create solutions that bring people together”
Product Manager
Dena Sassoon
Experienced in both case management and group facilitation. Background in social services, working with SPMI, substance abuse and chronically homeless adults and families, older adults, with a focus on dementia.
“Working with older adults with severe dementia taught me that no matter what, connection is always possible. Everyone deserves the dignity and a sense of belonging a community brings. I joined the Klaatch team to work with older adults and help enable those meaningful social connections.”
Sales & Marketing
Chris Witmer
Technical background in telecommunications and engineering, former Army Signal Corps Officer, sales career in multiple industries. Driven by a passion to create connections between problems and solutions.
“I am drawn to Klaatch by our vision of eliminating the burden of loneliness in our senior communities, by our potential to improve the quality of life of individual older adults and their families. I am inspired by my own parents and the aging parents of friends struggling with cognitive decline and dementia.”
Sr. Advisor / Data Architecture / Engineering
Michael Thorne
Former naval computer network intelligence specialist. Served as Head Data Scientist for several successful startups.
“I think the pandemic has shown all of us how damaging isolation can be, and how deep the need for human connection runs. I work with Klaatch because its an opportunity to materially improve the lives of people who are often forgotten by helping them rediscover that connection.”
Sr. Advisor / Healthcare Markets
Lois Drapin
Leading expert in how health and technology companies develop and deliver new products and services. Chief Partnerships Officer at Cherish Health. Member of Tivity Health’s (NASDAQ: TVTY) Executive Advisory Board and Rural Aging Council focusing on reversing social isolation among older adults.
“I pioneered college programs in US and NY state penitentiaries, worked in mental health, and have spent the past 25 years in healthcare, technology, and innovation. I can say we are all a part of vulnerable populations when we talk about loneliness and the impact it has on the health of the individual and society.”
Sr. Advisor / Data Science
Jing Jia
Former Quantitative Researcher in Investment Bank with 20+ years of experience. Expertise in pattern recognition and model development.
“I’ve watched both sets of my grandparents move away from the homes they raised my parents in, adjusting to a new way of life. It’s taught me how vital social connection is—whether they’re video chatting with our family or getting together for cards with their friends. I’m passionate about Klaatch’s work to create more happiness in this world.”
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