Sara Masoud is a former family caregiver and researcher who creates spaces for communities impacted by dementia to gather, collaborate, educate, and advocate for research that matters to them. As a Palestinian-American raised in a Texas border town who cared for her grandfather living with dementia, Sara struggled to find inclusive, supportive care. She recognized the need for research to understand the lived experiences of those impacted by dementia and how to support them. She is driven by her steadfast belief that those closest to an issue should be the leaders of research that affects them. By partnering to co-lead research with families and communities impacted by dementia, she aims to eliminate the discrepancy between the needs of communities and the priorities of research that informs dementia care. Together, Sara and her partners are defining a future in which research can be open and accessible to communities who have the right to dictate how science can improve their ability to thrive in spite of dementia.