Colette Thayer

Colette Thayer, PhD, is senior director of financial resilience research in AARP Research where she manages a team of financial issue subject matter experts. Her team conducts studies on savings, spending, borrowing, and planning, as well as on work/jobs, fraud, Social Security, and other financial issues. Dr. Thayer’s work supports the mission of AARP by helping decision-makers, thought leaders, and others understand the opinions, experiences, wants, and needs of people ages 50 and over on financial matters. 

Previously at AARP, Dr. Thayer conducted brand research and managed opinion research on a wide variety of topics, including attitudes about aging, personal fulfillment, social isolation, and economic security issues. Her studies have been cited in Congressional testimony and quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and other major media outlets. 

Before joining AARP, Dr. Thayer conducted evaluation research at Fannie Mae Foundation. Prior to that, she provided evaluation and program design consultation to nonprofit organizations and foundations.

She holds a doctorate in public administration from George Washington University, a master’s in public administration from New York University and a bachelor’s in sociology from Oberlin College. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-thayer-8734737/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/colette_thayer

CThayer@aarp.org