HelpAge Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Zannat Reza as the organization’s first Chief Impact Officer (CIO), effective Monday, June 2, 2025.
Zannat joins our senior leadership team alongside Kahir Lalji, Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Dr. Raza Mirza, Chief Operating Officer (COO); and Shelina Gwaduri-Dilgir, Chief Development Officer (CDO).
Strategic Leadership Across Canadian & International Programs
As CIO, Zannat will oversee HelpAge Canada’s impact and programming portfolio, providing strategic and team leadership across Canadian and International initiatives. She will work closely with the HAC team to align and enhance program design, evaluation, and delivery with our vision: a society where older adults age with dignity, connection, and purpose. Zannat will lead government relations and policy execution, partnership development, thought leadership, media outreach, and engagement.
Continued Commitment to Community-Based Seniors’ Services (CBSS) Sector
This role reflects HelpAge Canada’s ongoing commitment to bolster the community-based seniors’ services (CBSS) sector, and our collaborative approach with sector partners to elevate the voice of older adults and the organizations that support them.
Zannat brings more than 25 years of experience and social change in the health and ageing space, through innovation, collaboration, and storytelling.
Driving Positive Social Change Through Partnership, Outreach, & Engagement
Prior to joining HelpAge Canada, Zannat served as Director of the Future of Aging at SE Health, where she spearheaded collective impact initiatives, led the thought leadership portfolio, produced and hosted The Future Age podcast, and oversaw The Chrysalis Innovation Challenge. Zannat is known for engaging key audiences, simplifying complex ideas, and designing creative strategies that mobilize change. Her background spans strategic leadership, social issues marketing, and running a successful health promotion communications agency. A seasoned media contributor, she has appeared on CBC News, Breakfast TV, and other major platforms.
Please join us in welcoming CIO Zannat Reza to HelpAge Canada. Her leadership will be instrumental in expanding our reach, amplifying CBSS voices, and deepening our collective impact in support of older adult well-being across Canada and globally.
