Working Board of Directors

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Ursula Hudson serves as our Chair and Treasurer. She is a respected community leader and advocate for older adults. With extensive experience in community engagement, Ursula has been actively involved in age-friendly initiatives across Niagara for over 10 years. As a founding member of the Age-Friendly Network, which evolved into the current Age-Friendly Niagara Council, she has played a pivotal role in championing initiatives that support the longevity economy. Her efforts have helped build partnerships and enhance community outreach, promoting inclusion, participation, and overall quality of life for older adults. Ursula's longstanding commitment to collaborative action and community capacity building continues to strengthen AFNC's leadership role in creating more age-friendly communities.|Niagara.

Ginger Grant, PhD, serves as our Corporate Secretary and Chair of the Research Committee. She is a community innovator and activist, an applied researcher, and a strategic systems leader with over 25 years of experience in helping organizations, communities, and governments navigate change and build capacity for the future. Her work focuses on age-friendly initiatives, the longevity economy, workforce development, and community transformation, particularly in unlocking the social and economic contributions of older adults. Ginger has led numerous applied research, innovation, and community engagement initiatives across Canada and internationally, bringing her expertise in strategic foresight, human-centred design, and collaborative systems change to drive socio-economic development. She also serves as the  President of the Ontario Association of Councils on Aging. |Niagara.

Laura Byers is Chair of our Marketing and Fundraising Committee. She is a marketing and community engagement professional with extensive experience in senior living, relationship development, and community outreach. Her background combines business development, strategic marketing, fundraising, and partnership building, all with a genuine commitment to enhancing the quality of life of older adults through age-friendly initiatives. Laura brings valuable expertise in communications, stakeholder engagement, and community relations, helping AFNC strengthen its visibility, expand its network of supporters, and build sustainable partnerships across the Niagara Region, contributing to the growth of the longevity economy.|Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Dan Lynch, MSc is Chair of our Programs Committee. As a respected innovation leader, entrepreneur mentor, and ecosystem builder, Dan has dedicated his career to helping organizations transform ideas into meaningful economic and social impact, particularly through age-friendly initiatives. With extensive experience in technology commercialization and startup development, he understands how community engagement and collaboration can enhance the longevity economy and ultimately improve quality of life.|St. Catharines.

Jean D'Amelio Swyer is a respected community leader, advocate, and volunteer who has significantly contributed to advancing age-friendly initiatives throughout Niagara. As Chair of the Niagara Older Adults Alliance (NOAA), and through her work in Thorold, she has fostered community engagement and supported the development of age-friendly policies and collaborative partnerships that enhance the quality of life for people of all ages, thereby contributing to the longevity economy.|Thorold.

Lynn Reynolds is the Chair of the Town of Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee and Vice-Chair of NOAA. As an experienced Instructional Designer and Educational Technologist, Lynn has a strong background in adult learning and curriculum development. Her work seamlessly integrates evidence-informed instructional design with digital learning technologies and learner-centred approaches to create meaningful and inclusive educational experiences. Through her leadership at both the municipal and regional levels, Lynn passionately advocates for age-friendly initiatives that enhance community engagement, social inclusion, and accessibility. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to building partnerships that support the longevity economy.|Pelham.

Margo MacFarlane brings a strong understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing older adults in Fort Erie and Niagara's rural and lakeshore communities. She is passionate about promoting age-friendly initiatives that ensure older adults have a voice in shaping the future of their communities. Margo believes that their knowledge, experience, and leadership are valuable assets that contribute to stronger, more resilient communities, ultimately enhancing community engagement and supporting the longevity economy.|Fort Erie.

Alka Singh, RN brings extensive expertise in nursing, gerontology, elder care, and healthcare system innovation to AFNC. As a Registered Nurse and founder of Paradigm Healthcare Services, she has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life of older adults through compassionate, culturally responsive, and person-centred care. Alka contributes valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers, helping AFNC strengthen its age-friendly initiatives and enhance community engagement in healthy aging, aging-in-place, and the development of Niagara's longevity economy.

Sinéad McElhone, PhD, is an accomplished healthcare leader, educator, and researcher with extensive experience in public health, health system planning, and post-secondary education. She currently serves as Dean of Health Sciences at Niagara College, where she provides leadership for programs that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet the evolving needs of communities across Niagara and Ontario. Her work emphasizes community engagement and supports age-friendly initiatives, spanning public health, healthcare workforce development, applied research, and community partnerships. She has a particular interest in creating innovative approaches that enhance the longevity economy and promote healthy aging and community well-being.

Sabrina Richardson, MA is an applied gerontologist and community engagement professional dedicated to improving the well-being, inclusion, and quality of life of older adults. Her work focuses on fostering age-friendly initiatives, supporting healthy aging, and developing programs and initiatives that help older adults remain active, engaged, and connected within their communities. With experience spanning community engagement, senior living, and aging services, Sabrina brings a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing older adults and their families within the longevity economy.