At digitalLIFT, our board members bring a wealth of experience and a shared belief that technology should create opportunities, not barriers. This month, we’re excited to introduce Keri Vogtmann, Chair of digitalLIFT’s Development Committee, whose career has focused on making technology more accessible, intuitive, and meaningful for everyone.
Finding Purpose at the Intersection of Technology and People
Keri has spent more than 15 years leading digital product development, healthcare technology initiatives, and user-experience research. Throughout her career, one lesson became increasingly clear: even the most innovative technology has limited value if people don’t feel confident using it.
“The most innovative technology has little impact if the people it’s designed to serve can’t, or won’t, use it confidently,” she explains.
That realization sparked her passion for digital literacy and digital inclusion. Rather than focusing solely on creating new technologies, Keri became committed to helping people build the confidence and skills needed to benefit from them.
Designing Technology That Works for Everyone
Today, Keri is the founder of Gaman Insights, where she helps organizations create age-friendly digital experiences and programs. Her work centers on listening to older adults, understanding their needs, and ensuring their voices help shape the products and services designed for them.
She believes technology should be built with people, not simply for them. That philosophy makes digitalLIFT’s mission a natural fit. “DigitalLIFT doesn’t simply teach technology. It empowers people,” Keri says. “Building digital skills also builds confidence, independence, and the ability to influence the technologies that increasingly shape our lives.”
Why Digital Inclusion Matters
For Keri, digital inclusion extends well beyond internet access or device ownership. It means ensuring people can confidently participate in every aspect of modern life, including healthcare, financial services, staying connected with family, accessing government resources, and engaging in their communities.
She also believes organizations benefit when they actively involve diverse users in designing digital experiences. By including older adults and other underrepresented voices early in the design process, technology becomes more useful, more inclusive, and ultimately more successful.
Advice for Future Advocates
Keri encourages anyone working in technology, healthcare, government, or nonprofit organizations to make inclusion part of every stage of their work.
That starts by listening, involving real users early, testing solutions with the communities they serve, and recognizing that digital literacy is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time achievement.
Everyone has a role to play in creating technology that people can confidently use.
Beyond the Boardroom
Outside her work, Keri enjoys traveling with her husband and exploring how communities around the world are adapting to aging populations. She also treasures time with her grown children, enjoys relaxing with her dogs, and is steadily working toward an ambitious personal goal of completing distance road races in all 50 states.
Thank You, Keri!
digitalLIFT is grateful for Keri’s leadership, expertise, and passion for creating a more digitally inclusive future. Her perspective reminds us that technology is at its best when it empowers people, builds confidence, and ensures everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in our increasingly digital world.
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