We are pleased to announce that the following volunteers were recently elected as the CARP Ottawa Board of Directors:

Janet Gray, Chairperson

Janet Gray has been a Financial Planner with Investors Group for 12 years and has been the Chair of the Ottawa Chapter of CARP since its start in 2009. She enjoys learning about aging and also interacting with boomers and seniors in Ottawa. She has lived in Orleans for 32 years and is very active in the community.

Julie Lessard, Secretary

Julie Lessard has worked in the funeral industry for the past eight years and has been a dedicated employee with Hulse, Playfair and McGarry for the past two years.

Julie grew up in Pembroke, Ontario and is now happy to call her home Orleans, Ontario. She is the secretary for the CARP Ottawa chapter and enjoys her active role with CARP.

Carol-lee Whipple, Affinity Partnerships

With over 38 years’ experience in the financial industry, now an employee of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada,  Carol-lee is an active Board member  for  CARP Ottawa Chapter.  As Affinity Programs Director, Carol-lee is responsible for arranging  local programs and member perks for our members.

Marie-France Lalonde, Advocacy

Marie-France Lalonde graduated from University as a Social Worker.  She worked for a few years at the Ottawa Hospital but for the past 13 years, she has worked in the private retirement home industry.

Her past roles are:  Executive Director, Senior Executive Director, Regional Director of Hospital and Community Relations and  OwnerOperator at the Portobello Manor retirement residence in Orleans.

Mrs. Lalonde is currently the Regional Director of Marketing and Sales for All Seniors Care Living Centres.

A firm believer in community outreach, Marie-France has been involved with local Community Resources Centers (board member), Equipe de Sante Familiale (board member), the Council on Aging (member), Women Business Connection (member) and the Orleans Chamber of Commerce (member).

She is also involved with the United Way Task Force for the Affordable and Supportive Housing for Seniors and on the consultation team with “Ville Amie” with the City of Ottawa and Council on Aging.

Joan Jesion, Events Coordinator

Joan Jesion has enjoyed the experience and advantages of owning a home based direct sales business for over 24 years. She is also a Certified Life Coach. 2013 is her year of transitioning into retirement.  As Events Coordinator she is in the process of setting up a variety of different types of events for our membership to take part in around Ottawa.

Colin Reid, Communications

Originally from Newfoundland, Colin is a Mortgage Agent with Mortgage Architects who has more than 20 years experience in business and client service.  Having lived from coast to coast, Colin is well versed on the issues facing retired persons and is honoured to be able to support the Ottawa Chapter of CARP.

Vacant, Marketing/Public Relations

We are currently seeking a Marketing/Public Relations volunteer to join our board.  If you have a keen interest in Marketing and Public Relations and want to learn more about the issues that face retired persons, we would love to hear from you.

Vacant, Treasurer

We are currently seeking a volunteer to assume the Treasurer position with our board.  If you have a way with numbers and love working with budgets and spreadsheets and are passionate about CARP, we would love to hear from you.

Updated Oct 7th, 2013.