As we enter into our second decade of existence, we are delighted to announce new appointments to our Board of Directors.
Our respected, inspirational founder, Andrew Larpent OBE has stepped aside as Chair, and the Board has elected Mansur Dalal as our new Chair, and Femada Shaman as Vice Chair.
Mansur Dalal, Chair
A chance meeting in India between our former CEO, Klaus Zimmermann and Mansur led to Mansur being one of our first bursary recipients to attend the Global Ageing Network conference in Perth, 2015. He later joined our Board of Directors, and held the position as our Vice Chair for several years.
A former architect, Mansur has dedicated the past few years to improving lives for older people, and has pioneered senior living services in India.
Andrew says: “I am delighted to be passing the chairmanship of the organisation to my dear friend and colleague Mansur. I wish him and all board directors the very best as they steer CommonAge into its second decade, with exciting and challenging ambitions for the future.”
Commenting on his new role, Mansur says “It’s a privilege, an honour and very humbling to be elected to lead CommonAge and to be counted as an equal amongst our distinguished, diversified, global board of volunteer directors, all devoting time and effort to further the ethos and cause of CommonAge.
“This devotion is possible only because we commonly have empathy as our guiding star, and an abiding passion for elder care coupled with a burning desire to establish an All age friendly and healthy Commonwealth.
“I look forward to working closely with you all on our shared journey of service to Elders across the Commonwealth and beyond.”
Read more about Mansur here.
Femada Shaman Vice Chair
Femada, CEO, The Association For The Ageing (TAFTA)South Africa, was one of our first bursary recipients to attend the Global Ageing Network conference in Perth, 2015, and later accepted our invitation to join our Board of Directors.
Femada said “I am truly honoured and eager to contribute my best efforts to further the objectives of Commonage as we embark on the new year.
“It’s a privilege, an honour and very humbling to be elected to lead CommonAge and to be counted as an equal amongst our distinguished, diversified, global board of volunteer directors, all devoting time and effort to further the ethos and cause of CommonAge.”
Read more about Femada here.
Datin Jacqueline WM Wong, Vice Chair
Jacqueline’s in-depth knowledge and wealth of experience is a valuable asset to the CommonAge team; she has acted as the Hon. Advisor to demensia Brunei (dB) since 2018. Prior to this, she served as the Hon. Secretary of the Executive Committee, Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of Malaysia (ADFM, 2016-2019).
dB and ADFM, both non-government not-for profit organisations, are amongst the exclusive members of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI): a federation of over 105 Alzheimer and related dementia associations in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). dB became an exclusive member of ADI in 2020.
Jacqueline’s father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her mother-in-law had vascular dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Both passed away in 2010 but the knowledge and experience caring for them continues to inspire her efforts and contribution. Jacqueline facilitates Dementia Care Skills workshops and Train-the-Trainer programmes. She is also involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainability collaborations and public-private partnerships in Brunei Darussalam and in Malaysia.
On a volunteer basis, Jacqueline supports dementia-friendly and inclusive community initiatives and sustainable projects, especially those focussed on improving the lives of the ageing population, people with dementia, their carers and families in the Asia Pacific region (including in ASEAN).
Read more about Jacqueline here.
Andrew Larpent, Chair Emeritus
While Andrew has stepped aside as Chair, we are delighted he accepted our invitation to remain connected to CommonAge in the position as Chair Emeritus.
“From the time of the first idea for the organisation to today, those of us who brought it into being in 2013 have been on a fantastic journey of learning, growing our network, finding friends, partners and allies around the Commonwealth,” says Andrew.
“The achievements of our first decade have been made through fantastic teamwork and I would like to take this opportunity to record my thanks to all who have served on the board, have volunteered their time, and have helped us with fundraising. I would especially like to thank our founding directors and members who shared and supported the vision in the early days and have ensured that now, as we look to our second decade, we can do so with confidence that the foundations of CommonAge are sound.
“I feel honoured to have been invited to stay involved as Chair (Emeritus). In that ambassadorial capacity I shall continue to support the organisation as much as I can for as long as possible. There is much to be done as we continue the work to ensure that older people are valued, respected and supported to live out their lives in the best ways possible.
“The adventure and the journey continues, and we encourage more people and organisations to join us and to support the cause. There is much to be done and this is no time to retire!”
Thank you Andrew for your dedication and inspirational leadership over the past 10 years.
Read more about Andrew here.
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