Elizabeth Macnab is Executive Director, Ontario Senior Citizens’ Organizations (OSSCO). For the past 14 years, Elizabeth has focused in meeting the needs and interests of seniors and adults 55 plus whether working in seniors’ retirement homes or in various leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector. She has raised awareness of older adults through initiatives such as the 2009 Ontario Seniors Secretariat's Age Friendly Forum in Southwestern Ontario, leading the Human Resources Professional Association’s (HRPA) Employment Networking for unemployed workers or helping develop the 211Ontario system providing access to social services for all Ontarians.
Since 2012 under Elizabeth’s leadership, OSSCO has continued to shape social policy development by influencing stakeholders. Outcomes include the publication of a co-authored report, Shifting the Paradigm of Ageism: Strategies for Positive Active Aging, changes to hospital parking costs, driving tests for adults 80+ and ODB as well as consultations by the Law Commission of Ontario on Powers of Care and Property, Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat’s Elderly Persons Centres and Ministry of Health & Long Term Care’s Patients First Act. Working with seniors and member organizations across Ontario, the Roadmap for Informed Decision Making was created, giving seniors what they need to make an informed decision. A recent publication My Home, My Community educates seniors on preventing and living elder abuse free in a retirement home setting.
Working with the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA), Elizabeth participated in the development of a course for the Retirement Management Certificate program at Centennial College. She teaches that module since its implementation. Through this experience and that of HRPA, she successfully applied for a pilot project funding to help unemployed adults 50-70 years of age enhance their economic opportunities via a job search tool kit, 2nd careers reflections, and small business start up or existing the workforce, financially secure.
Elizabeth is married to Keith Macnab for nearly 30 years. She is owned by 6 cats. She volunteers for her local Rotary Club.