Our People
Academic Lead
Dr. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc
Jayna is the Academic Lead of the Centre on Aging, where she provides scholarly direction and leadership to further the Centre’s mission of improving the health and well-being of older adults. As an academic geriatrician, Professor, and Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services (AHS) Calgary Zone, she brings extensive expertise in medical leadership and geriatric medicine to shape the Centre’s research and educational initiatives. She also holds the Brenda Strafford Foundation Chair in Geriatric Medicine.
Jayna has held several leadership roles, including Head of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Calgary and AHS Calgary Zone (2016-2020), Medical Director of the AHS Calgary Zone Specialized Geriatric Services (2016-2020), and Scientific Director of the AHS Seniors Health Strategic Clinical Network (2012-2015). She was also a leader within the Canadian Frailty NCE Network. These experiences have positioned her to strengthen the Centre as a hub for advancing aging-related research, education, and policy.
Contact Information: Jayna.Holroyd-Leduc@albertahealthservices.ca
Please contact Lanza D'Silva to schedule a meeting with Jayna: Lanza.D'Silva@albertahealthservices.ca
Manager
Dr. Chantelle Zimmer
Chantelle is the Manager of the Centre on Aging, where she combines her scholarly expertise with strong business leadership. She holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Calgary. In addition, Chantelle is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and holds a Certified in Management (C.I.M.) designation from the Canadian Institute of Management.
With 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and consulting in the public sector, Chantelle plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the Centre. She oversees its operations and resources, fosters collaboration, and catalyzes innovative academic initiatives focused on aging. Driven by a commitment to creating positive change, Chantelle is dedicated to building supportive and inclusive environments that improve the health and well-being of the aging population.
Contact Information: chantelle.zimmer@ucalgary.ca
Project Coordinator
Lindsay Morrison
Lindsay is a Project Coordinator for the Centre on Aging. She holds a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a specialization in health, exercise, and sport psychology from the University of Calgary.
In her role, Lindsay supports the development and implementation age-friendly initiatives, collaborates with community partners to advocate for age-inclusive practices and policies, and facilitates research that addresses aging-related concerns and innovations. Lindsay also supports knowledge mobilization, ensuring that research findings are effectively communicated and translated into real-world applications. Lindsay is excited about fostering innovative, collaborative approaches to health promotion and is committed to advancing age-inclusivity across the University and broader community.
Contact Information: lindsay.morrison@ucalgary.ca
Research Coordinator
Erin Davis
Erin is a Research Coordinator for the Centre on Aging. She has a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Religious Studies and Psychology, and a Diploma of Nursing. With over a decade of front-line nursing experience Erin brings a wealth of practical expertise to her work.
In her role, Erin is currently focused on establishing effective engagement strategies with older adults in the community to enhance research participation. She also supports researchers in a consultative capacity, and collaborates with Centre staff on communications and other engagement initiatives. Her passion lies in fostering meaningful connections between researchers and the community, ensuring that engagement strategies are inclusive, effective, and responsive to the needs of older adults. Committed to advancing person-centred approaches, Erin contributes to initiatives that promote culture change in aging research and healthcare systems.
Contact Information: erin.davis4@ucalgary.ca
Educational Advisor
Amber Dukart
Amber is an Educational Advisor for the Centre on Aging, where she contributes her expertise in intergenerational program development and stakeholder engagement. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary with a specialization in clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups. Amber has over six years of experience in developing, facilitating, and evaluating programs that foster intergenerational learning in schools, community centers, and residential care settings.
In her role, Amber leads a special project as part of the Centre’s Age-Friendly University Initiative, focused on enhancing educational opportunities related to aging and older adults within the Cumming School of Medicine. She works to create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with aging-related topics and interact with older adults. Amber is dedicated to advancing intergenerational engagement and supporting aging-related learning at the University of Calgary.
Contact Information: amber.dukart@ucalgary.ca
Dr. Kirsten Fiest
Scientific Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health
Dr. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc
Academic Lead, Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging
Donor Representatives
Tony Weeks
President & CEO, Brenda Strafford Foundation
Catherine Laing
Executive Director, Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality, Brenda Strafford Foundation
Faculty Representatives
Dr. Todd Anderson
Dean, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Meghan McDonough
Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology
Dr. Catherine Laing
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Nursing, Faculty of Nursing
Dr. Ellen Perrault
Dean, Faculty of Social Work
Non-voting Members
Dr. Jamie Day
Administrative Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health
Dr. Chantelle Zimmer
Manager, Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging