Susan DeMarois
Director, California Department of Aging
Susan DeMarois was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as director of the California Department of Aging on November 1, 2021. In this role, she leads California’s efforts for implementing the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging, California’s 10-year blueprint that calls on all sectors of government and society to build an age- and disability-forward state by 2030 when one in four people will be 60 or older.
She leads California’s State Unit on Aging, overseeing a broad range of home and community-based services while advocating for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Since taking on this role, DeMarois and her team have led 46 new initiatives, focusing on strengthening the direct care workforce, rebuilding community infrastructure post-pandemic, raising awareness of aging and disability services, and bridging the digital divide for older adults.
DeMarois’ top priority has been creating a “No Wrong Door” system across California communities, which is designed to prevent users from getting passed among different offices in search of the “correct” option, to coordinate access to a range of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
To accomplish this the system partners with area agencies on aging, caregiver resource centers and aging and disability resource connections to build a future-ready network.