About us
The HelpAge Canada Mission is to support community-based initiatives through our partnerships, both locally and abroad, to improve the lives of older persons and their communities. We develop innovative programs and lead network-wide collaborations to create a world for all to age with dignity.
The HelpAge Canada Vision is for all older persons to lead secure, healthy, active, and dignified lives.
HelpAge Canada puts our values at the forefront of everything we do:
Dignity & Equity
We treat people with respect and believe that the power, insight, and expertise of every person is the basis for people to age with dignity. Human rights are for all phases of life, regardless of age.
Community & Connections
We value the interconnectedness of people across all generations. Society thrives when meaningful intergenerational relationships flourish.
Inclusion & Diversity
We value contributions from diverse groups, essential to the fabric of a thriving society. The involvement and contribution of aging adults is fundamental to create a future that offers well-being and hope to all.
Agency & Advocacy
We value having a voice and a choice about the future. Personal agency is central to what it means to be human. It is about the ability to claim our rights, to make choices and to participate meaningfully in decision-making in all parts of life, including personal, family, social and political.
Our Story
In 1975, a group of volunteers, concerned that no Canadian charitable organization represented the interests and needs of older persons in Canada, came together to found “Help the Aged Canada.” This was the beginning of what is known today as HelpAge Canada, an organization more committed than ever to improving how people age in our country and abroad.
In 1983, we joined four other organizations in Colombia, Kenya, India, and the UK to form HelpAge International and create a strong network for supporting older people worldwide. The HelpAge Global Network has since grown steadily, with more than 70 countries partaking in initiatives and concerted action to improve the lives of older people around the world. Our collective voices are heard on the world stage thanks in part to HelpAge International’s consultancy status with the UN and World Health Organization.
HelpAge Canada began expanding its team in 2019 to continue our mission of creating a world where all people can age with dignity, increasing our focus on the needs of older Canadians at home. HelpAge Canada has since grown to include nearly a dozen team members. This talented, growing team has equipped HelpAge Canada to build a network of over 350 community-based seniors’ services organizations across Canada – organizations that are vital to meeting the needs of older people in the places they live.
Our Leadership and Staff
HelpAge Canada’s Board of Directors and staff bring a diverse range of experiences from a variety of professional backgrounds—not-for-profit and community leadership, law, gerontology, and diversity and inclusion, to name a few— in order to improve the lives of older persons. The board and its committees meet one to two times per month, making critical decisions that drive our mission forward.
Our core staff is primarily situated at our head office in Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Ours is a workplace where team members are encouraged to pursue both personal and professional development. We push our team to think creatively, with an emphasis on collaborative work, so all members bring their unique perspective to every project. We also offer staff a flexible, hybrid work model that supports a healthy work-life balance.
STAFF
Kahir Lalji
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Raza Mirza
Chief Operating Officer
Zannat Reza
Chief Impact Officer
Shelina Gwaduri-Dilgir
Chief Development Officer
Kristen Lonergan
Communications Manager (On Parental Leave)
Randall Hivert
Financial Controller
Felicity Watson
Lead, Canadian Programs
Simon Bikai
Bookkeeper
Julianna Kerr
Programs & Operations Coordinator
Selina Rattani
Administrative & Special Projects Coordinator
2024-2025 Board of Directors
| Chairperson | Amy Westland |
| Secretary | Brett Campeau |
| Treasurer | William (Bill) Morphet |
| Directors |
Kory Smith Daniel Palumbo Christine Vilcocq Kyle Shimon Simon Cheesman Anthony Kupferschmidt Michael Chrostowski Jenviev Azzolin Jasvinder Chana |
Financials
We strongly value transparency and accountability. 79 cents of every dollar given to HelpAge Canada goes directly to our programs (source: 2024 Financial Statements), and the remainder allows us to grow and maintain a robust team of dedicated staff and fundraise to make an even bigger impact year over year.
HelpAge Canada is a registered charitable not-for-profit organization (Registration Number: 118955921 RR0001)
Support Us
We appreciate the support of our generous donors in helping us create a world in which all older persons lead secure, healthy, active and dignified lives.