Appointee to historic role offers wealth of knowledge in consumer financial matters and seniors' issues
The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) has announced a history-making appointment to its board of directors.
The agency has announced Wanda Morris as the first-ever person to be designated as Consumer Interest Director, a role specially created through changes to the organization’s bylaw in May.
Under those changes, OBSI is required to have at least one director designated as a Consumer Interest Director, a role distinguished by their particular interest in, access to, and experience in representing the interests of the types of consumers OBSI serves.
“We are very pleased to have Wanda join our board to play this important new role,” OBSI Chair Jim Emmerton said in a statement. “Wanda brings tremendous knowledge and experience in consumer financial matters and seniors’ issues, and she has demonstrated great leadership as the Chair of OBSI’s Consumer and Investor Advisory Council (CIAC).”
A CPA and financial and consumer advocate, Morris’s career includes time as CARP’s chief advocacy and engagement officer as well as CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada. In those roles, she led public advocacy campaigns on investor protections, pension security, medical aid in dying, and safety in long-term care, among other issues.
Morris is also an established thought leader on consumer and seniors’ issues. A frequent media commentator, her writing has graced the pages of various publications such as the Vancouver Sun, the Edmonton Journal, and Zoomer Magazine.
“We look forward to her contributions in the governance of OBSI as the Consumer Interest Director,” Emmerton said.
In accepting her appointment as Consumer Interest Director, which is effective immediately, Morris has resigned from her position as chair of the CIAC. The search for her successor is currently ongoing.
