Ursel J. McElroy was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in January 2019 to direct the Ohio Department of Aging and administer the State Plan on Aging. Ursel represents the interests of older adults in Ohio’s executive branch of government and oversees the coordination of long-term services and supports funded by the federal Older Americans Act, Medicaid, and other federal, state, and local dollars. Ursel has more than 25 years of experience in local and state government, holding key positions at the Ohio Department of Youth Services, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

She served as deputy director of education and policy at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for a decade, during which she managed education, policies, programs, and initiatives impacting victims of crime, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, victim notification, and crimes committed against children, older adults, and people with disabilities. She chaired the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Commission and managed the establishment of the Ohio Elder Justice Initiative.

Prior to joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ursel was chair of the Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services, a supervisor and investigator for adult protective services, and a case manager for a senior services levy program. She is a leader and visionary in the field of aging, hosting and planning Ohio’s first Summit on Aging, the state’s first Elder Abuse Research Symposium, and the Elder Financial Exploitation Symposium. She has presented at prominent events such as the White House Conference on Aging, and is the recipient of the Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services Outstanding Service Award.

Ursel’s deep sensitivity and concern for older Ohioans and their caregivers is clear. She is committed to upholding the fundamental principle that older adults can live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities.

She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration from The Ohio State University.