Speaker Bios

Kathy Bass

Account Manager at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia

Kathy is a welcome guest at our Chapter and needs no introduction. We can depend on Kathy to get the most relevant and best information each year. In her role, she assists federal employees and retirees in understanding and managing their health insurance benefits in the Central Counties region of Virginia. Kathy is actively involved in outreach efforts, including briefing members on changes to medical plans and participating in virtual meetings and to ensure members stay informed about their health insurance options.

Mary DeCair

Ms. DeCair is a remarkable adventurer from Chesterfield County, VA, known for an inspiring and unique journey across the U.S.

Unconventional cross-country trek: Instead of walking straight across the country, Mary set out in 2004 with a bold goal: to walk 100 miles in each of the 50 states—a clever way to cover roughly 5,000 miles total
Over a decade-long quest: She pursued this at her own pace—often alone—logging miles on park trails and community paths, gathering mileage state by state. Supportive strangers frequently offered lodging and encouragement. Despite challenges such as injuries in Montana and a few overly curious dogs in Kansas, she persevered.
Completion in 2015: Eleven years later, at age 74, she finished her endeavor when she completed her final miles in Idaho. She described the end as experiencing “post‑adventure depression”—a bittersweet mix of relief and longing.
Turning her journey into a memoir: In 2023 she published The Next Step: Walk Across America: 50 States – 5,000 Miles, reflecting on her daily logs, meeting people, mindful approaches, and tips for anyone chasing a big dream.

Why this journey stands out

Rather than a single long trekking route, Mary’s innovative approach allowed flexibility and adaptation over time—ideal for someone balancing ambition and real-world logistics.
Her age-defying spirit proves you’re never too old to start something extraordinary: beginning in her early 60s and completing in her 70s.

Cynthia Graunke (Cindy)

Current Past President, 1st Vice President of Chapter 2265, and NARFE Area III Vice President

A member of NARFE for 10 years. I am the Immediate Past President of Chapter 2265, Midlothian. My other positions were Service Officer, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President. I recently became the 1st Vice President as there was a vacancy to fill. I retired from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in 2010 after 37 years of service. I worked as the Director of the Division of Nursing Homes. I also currently serve as a Road Scholar Ambassador.

Shawn Smith

State Director for the Medicare Senior Advocacy Program

Shawn is dedicated to preventing healthcare fraud. He manages a team of over a hundred paid and volunteer staff members who provide educational and outreach services to seniors, their family members, and caregivers. He gives talks around the state on ways individuals can prevent, detect, and report various types of fraud. Shawn’s work has inspired him to write “101 Fraud Tips,” a resource designed to help seniors understand common fraud tactics and take steps to protect themselves from scams.

Shawn loves serving seniors and other marginalized communities and has developed several informative talks focusing on various fraud schemes. He is recognized as an expert in this field and hopes to help protect seniors and the different systems and supports that serve them.