Former NASA Astronaut Steve Smith joins Eldera Wisdom Board to mobilize adults 60+ nationwide to connect with and support youth. One hour. Once a Week. Both Lives Improve.
Eldera, the social-health platform connecting vetted adults 60+ with young people for safe, weekly virtual conversations, today announced that Steve Smith - 28 year NASA alumni, former astronaut and four-time Space Shuttle mission specialist - has joined Eldera’s Wisdom Board. Smith will help mobilize a nationwide corps of mentors 60+, beginning with NASA alumni, to support youth ages 6–17 through weekly virtual conversations.
Steve Smith, Former NASA Astronaut & Eldera Wisdom Board Advisor: “The knowledge, social, and emotional development of youth is hampered by today's societal trends and social media. These issues can be addressed by having youth speak periodically with wise adults, especially NASA alumni! Our collective thousands of years of wisdom is a big asset to our country and allows us to make a positive impact on future generations. You each have special knowledge and wisdom - it would be a joyful mutually beneficial experience for you to share that wisdom to help a child build and launch their future. Eldera makes the process of joining easy. Sharing your wisdom makes two lives better, youth build resilience, we gain purpose, and our society is better connected.”
Dana Griffin, Co-Founder & CEO, Eldera: “On behalf of our entire community of mentors and young people as well as our team, we are thrilled to welcome Steve to our Wisdom Board. I, along with millions of people have been inspired by Steve’s journey, resilience, determination and grace in serving our country. We are thrilled to learn from him and share his wisdom as we scale Eldera so that every young person can access a kind, wise and caring older adult for support. “
How Eldera Works:
Match: Vetted adults 60+ are paired with youth 6–17 for weekly virtual conversations.
Support: Adults receive onboarding, resources, and ongoing human support from our team and a nationwide community of fellow members.
Safety: Structured orientation, background checks, clear policies, recorded conversations and Eldera’s proprietary AI Chaperone help keep every interaction safe and meaningful.
Equity: Eldera’s generosity subscription model ensures cost is never a barrier.
Impact: Engagement, satisfaction, and short well-being indicators are tracked in aggregate.
How You Can Make an Impact:
Adults 60+: Volunteer 1 hour/week.
NASA alumni & technical professionals: Our young people (and their parents, and your fellow mentors) are thrilled to meet you!
Employers, schools, and public agencies: Distribute Eldera or sponsor mentor–youth pairings as a community or employee benefit.
Sign up / partner: Eldera.ai
About Steve Smith
Steve Smith is a former NASA astronaut and senior operations leader who turns lessons from exploration into performance for teams and leaders. A veteran of four Space Shuttle missions and seven spacewalks—five repairing the Hubble Space Telescope—he later served as Deputy Chief Astronaut. A Stanford-trained engineer and the only astronaut to enter the corps with an MBA, Steve led R&D and product management at IBM, sits on boards, and advises investors. He spent 12 years in Europe as the U.S. negotiating representative to the European Space Agency and in barters with the Russian Space Agency. A seven-time All-American and two-time NCAA water polo champion, he speaks with candid stories, striking imagery, and actionable tools. He and his wife have been married for 30 years; their two children work in technical fields.
Affiliation note: Steve Smith’s participation is in a personal capacity; references to NASA or NASA alumni are for identification only. NASA does not endorse commercial products or services.
About Eldera
Eldera is the social-health platform that turns increased longevity into a resource for society. We safely connect vetted adults 60+ with young people - and with one another- for weekly, virtual conversations and mentorship. The result is measurable: resilience for youth, purpose for older adults, and reduced loneliness at scale. Powered by human connection and supported by our AI Chaperone, Eldera makes intergenerational connection safe, consistent, and easy to deploy across communities, employers, and public agencies. Our belief is simple: older adults have the responsibility and ability to help protect and support the next generation, and when they do, everyone benefits. Eldera (from “Era of the Elders”) has been highlighted by national media and recognized by health leaders and academic institutions. Learn more at Eldera.ai.
