COTA revamps national board

Seniors consumer advocacy Council on the Ageing Australia has appointed three new directors to its board.

Seniors consumer advocacy Council on the Ageing Australia has appointed three new directors to its board.

The new board members are Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO Lesley Podesta, experienced director and executive James Hazel and social researcher and commentator Hugh MacKay.

COTA Australia chief executive Ian Yates and chair Jane Halton said the three directors were appointed after an extensive and exhaustive search and selection process.

“The three new directors bring an enormous diversity and richness of experience, knowledge and skills to the Board as we position ourselves for a challenging future with great opportunities as well as challenges for an ageing Australia” Mr Yates and Ms Halton said.

Lesley Podesta

Ms Podesta’s experience also includes director of policy, advocacy and global partnerships at the Fred Hollows Foundation and first assistant secretary of both  Ageing and Aged Care and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health at the Department of Health.

She has been selected for her skills, knowledge and experience  in  strategic fundraising,  corporate partnerships and sponsorships and diversity.

Mr Hazel was recruited to meet COTA’s expressed priority for someone with substantial commercial experience and familiarity with the ageing and retirement housing sector.

James Hazel

He is an experienced company director across listed and  unlisted companies, government authorities and not-for-profit organisations with executive experience in the listed, banking, finance and retirement living spaces.

He is director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and chair of retirement outfit Ingenia Communities, both of which are listed on the ASX, and a regular board or major sub-committee chair including for audit, risk and investment.

He was a board member of COTA SA and chair of insurance and membership services (IMS) until 2014 but  has no current or planned connection with either.

Mr Mackay is a social researcher, social commentator, published book, journal and newspaper author public speaker and experienced board member across areas.

Hugh Mackay

In 1979 he established  The Mackay Report, which published 120 quarterly qualitative social research reports over 25 years on such topics as community attitudes to politics, mass media, corporate ethics, shopping, marriage and the family, stages in the life-cycle and the national mood.

His 13th book on aspects of Australian life and culture and 8th work of fiction are due to be published this month.

Mr Mackay was selected for his significant public stature, immense experience in social research, deep understanding of the Australian population both overall and by segment, and a keen interest in COTA’s  work based on his lived experience.

Have we missed an appointment? Send us the details and an image to editorial@australianageingagenda.com.au

Tags: cota, cota-australia, council of the ageing australia, hugh mackay, ian-yates, james hazel, jane-halton, lesley podesta,

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