Mary Furlong
Longevity Influencer
Mary Furlong, Ed.D., is a leading authority on the longevity market and the founder, president, and CEO of Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA). With over 30 years of experience, Mary has helped guide the business and marketing strategies of companies and nonprofits focused on serving the needs of older adults. She has secured more than $300 million in venture capital and sponsorships for companies in the senior market, working with clients such as AARP, Ageless Innovation, and GetSetUp.
Mary founded MFA in 2003 to support socially conscious businesses in navigating the aging marketplace. She is also the driving force behind the What’s Next brand, which includes events like the What’s Next Longevity Business Summit and
the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit. These events bring together thought leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to discuss the opportunities in the longevity economy. Additionally, Mary co-hosts the podcasts "What’s Next Living Longer, Better, Smarter" and "What’s Next Longevity Deal Talk."
Before MFA, Mary founded SeniorNet in 1986 and ThirdAge Media in 1996. SeniorNet helped over 500,000 older adults gain technology skills, while ThirdAge Media was one of the first online communities for people aged 45 and older, reaching more than 2 million members. Both initiatives significantly contributed to empowering older adults through technology.
Mary’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the American Society on Aging Leadership Award, the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “Top 100 Women of Influence” award, and the first Aging2.0 Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also named one of Next Avenue’s “2016 Influencers in Aging” and one of Fortune Small Business’s “Top 25 Women Entrepreneurs.”
Mary continues to serve as Dean’s Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University and advises on boards such as the Ziegler Link•age Longevity Fund and the Thrive Center, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the intersection of aging, technology, and entrepreneurship.