Meet the Team
Jonathan Schwartz
Founder
Jonathan is the founder of Partner in Aging. With more than a decade of experience serving older adults in San Diego, Jonathan is known for solving some of the dilemmas that inevitably come with aging. Jonathan's interest in the field of senior care began when his grandfather, at age 80, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His experience led him to dedicate himself to work in the field of aging. Jonathan received a master’s degree from USC in Aging Services Management and has been featured locally in the Del Mar Times, Encinitas Advocate and La Jolla Light for his frequent symposiums on aging well.
Read his full story here.
Michael Leiderman
Senior Living Specialist
Michael is a Senior Living Specialist and physical therapist. For the last decade, he has helped thousands of older adults rehabilitate in settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health and outpatient orthopedics. He is connected to more than 200 quality living options in San Diego, and is meticulous when helping families find a place where their loved one can thrive. Michael is known in the community for his free monthly exercise class for seniors called "Move with Michael," for which he was honored as Del Mar Community Connection’s Volunteer of the Year.
Ellen Steinberg
Senior Living Specialist
Ellen is a Senior Living Specialist at Partner in Aging. She is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and has extensive healthcare experience in Moscow where she grew up, and San Diego where she has lived for the past 25 years. She is passionate and deeply committed to helping older adults and their families select the most appropriate living option for their particular needs. With a deep understanding of the county's independent, assisted and memory care communities, she is able to provide personalized guidance to ensure clients receive tailored care every step of the way.
Kennia Nguyen
Senior Living Specialist
Kennia is a San Diego native who was raised by a single parent. Inspired by her mother’s work in senior living, she chose to follow in her footsteps. With more than 17 years of senior living experience, Kennia specializes in helping families and their loved ones navigate the challenges of transitioning into Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
Her unique background, combined with her compassion, has given her a proven track record of supporting families by understanding both the emotional and practical aspects of the journey. Outside of work, Kennia enjoys spending time with her daughter and exploring San Diego’s vibrant food scene. She remains dedicated to guiding families with empathy, honesty, and an unwavering commitment to their best interests.
Gabby Podegracz
Director of Community Engagement
Gabby is our Director of Community Engagement. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master’s in Public Health, where she researched cognitive impairment risk factors among marginalized older adults. After working as a product marketer in the medical device industry, she transitioned to the aging field—an area she’s been passionate about since childhood, inspired by time spent with her grandmother. Gabby has been an active volunteer with Alzheimer’s San Diego, and has also worked as a certified nursing assistant in a specialized nursing facility. She’s committed to helping families navigate care options and access the support they need.