Expert Review Board

The Retirement Living Expert Review Board includes experts with more than 100 years of combined experience across finance, health, wellness, and retirement planning. Our board members were carefully selected based on their credentials and ability to communicate complex information to a broad readership to ensure our articles are empowering, unbiased, accurate, and inclusive.

Meet Our Expert Review Board Members

Christopher Hensley

Retirement Income Certified Professional®

Dawn Heiderscheidt

Certified Aging In Place Specialist

Ruth Reisman

Licensed Audiologist (AuD, (CCCA)

Kelsey Simasko

Dane Janas

IRS-Licensed Enrolled Agent

The Expert Review Board helps our editorial team ensure that our readers receive the most accurate and timely information. Our panel of experts includes university professors, certified financial planners, retirement planners, mortgage originators, analysts, audiologists, aging-in-place specialists, attorneys, and tax experts. Their first-hand experience in the field allows them to review articles and collaborate on content.

How the Process Works

Retirement Living’s editorial team submits articles to the Board for review. Free of any conflicts of interest, the experts review the work and suggest corrections or modifications to our editors. After careful consideration of the feedback, Retirement Living editors adjust the pieces for accuracy and publish the final content with the reviewed information.

About Our Experts

Christopher Hensley

Christopher Hensley is the President and CEO of Houston First Financial Group where he specializes in retirement planning and estate management. With over 22 years of experience in the financial services industry, Chris has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services. He is a licensed Financial Advisor and the host of the radio/podcast show Money Matters.

Dawn Heiderscheidt

As a registered and licensed occupational therapist, Dawn leverages her expertise in home modifications and universal design to help clients age in place and live independently. She is the founder of Aurora Independence, which provides home safety and accessibility consulting on construction projects, additions, and other modifications. A former rehabilitation professional, Dawn is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and possesses an Executive Certification in Home Modifications.

Dane Janas

Dane Janas is an IRS-licensed Enrolled Agent and the owner of Financial Umbrella LLC. With over 12 years of experience in the tax industry, he has provided expert tax relief and advisory services to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Dane has successfully represented numerous clients before the IRS, securing favorable outcomes through Offers in Compromise, payment plans, installment agreements, and Penalty Abatements.

Kelsey Simasko

Kelsey Simasko is an associate attorney at the Simasko Law firm. She follows in the footsteps of her late grandfather, Leonard J. Simasko, who started the firm back in 1955, as well as, her Uncle, James M. Simasko and father, Patrick M. Simasko – partners of the Simasko Law firm.  Kelsey specializes in elder law and wealth preservation, specifically estate planning, will and trust administration, Medicaid, and retirement planning.

Ryan Sullivan

Ryan Sullivan

Ryan Sullivan is an investment advisor and owner of Off the Beaten Path Financial, a registered investment advisory firm. A professional engineer turned advisor with a Series 65 securities license, he provides comprehensive financial planning, cash flow management, and investment management services. Additionally, he helps individuals plan holistically for their future and make sensible, informed alternative investments, such as gold and digital assets.

Ruth Reisman

Ruth Reisman is a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser in New York, Florida, and Bermuda. Dr. Reisman currently supports the field of audiology as a full-time Doctoral Lecturer at CUNY Brooklyn College. In her private practice, Urban Hearing Audiology, she assesses and rehabilitates auditory processing disorders, specializing in individuals with attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder AD(H)D and other comorbid disorders. Ruth holds certification from the American Speech and Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

Matthew Claassen

Matthew Claassen is the CEO of Medigap Seminars Insurance Agency, a top-ranked, award-winning premier national Medicare Insurance Brokerage. Matthew is considered a leading national expert on Medicare and Social Security. He and his team educate seniors to help them make an informed decision on insurance coverage, and as a result, the team has received awards from many of the country’s largest insurance companies.

Jason Parker

Jason Parker, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, has an advanced financial planning background that spans more than 20 years with Fortune 500 companies. As a reverse mortgage professional, Jason promotes high-quality education on an often misunderstood yet critical retirement tool. Jason is the author of “An Insider’s Guide To Reverse Mortgages” and founder of ParkerPlanning.com, a financial consultancy that helps financial advisors learn how to integrate HECMs into retirement plans.

Dr. Michelle Matyko

Dr. Michelle Matyko is a co-owner of Roosevelt Field Hearing Corporation in Garden City, New York. She has her New York State Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing licenses and has been in practice for over 20 years. Michelle is an active member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). With experience in educational, clinical, and private practice audiology, Michelle assists pediatric and geriatric populations in diagnostics and hearing aid dispensing.

Dr. Eileen Clark

Eileen Clark, Au.D., CCC-A, is a licensed audiologist and the founder of Integral Audiology. She earned her degree from Central Michigan University and is dedicated to providing personalized, patient-centered hearing care. Dr. Clark specializes in comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and tinnitus management. She believes hearing and communication are essential to maintaining independence, connection, and quality of life, and she is committed to helping patients stay engaged with the people and experiences that matter most.

Dr. Carleara Weiss

Carleara Weiss is a sleep science expert and Research Assistant Professor at the State University of New York in Buffalo. With more than 15 years of experience as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse, Dr. Weiss specializes in sleep health, wellness, and the factors that impact overall quality of life. She provides expert guidance on topics such as sleep environments, mattress selection, and adjustable bed use to help individuals improve rest and recovery. Dr. Weiss is passionate about promoting better sleep habits, advancing health education, and advocating for patient-centered care through research and public engagement.