As chairwoman and founding director of the Tsao Foundation, Dr Mary Ann Tsao is walking in the footsteps of her grandmother, Tsao Ng Yu Shun, in empowering senior citizens. Founded in 1993, the foundation strives to make innovative strides in community-based eldercare, training and education, helping seniors in Singapore to stay healthy and independent.

Over the years, the Tsao Foundation has engaged in various initiatives aimed at fostering a community-based approach to eldercare. These include the launch of the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) at Whampoa in 2015, which advocates good health through self-care and community action to support positive ageing, and provides effective bio- and psychosocial healthcare for elders.

The non-profit organisation also partnered with the Asian Development Bank in a US$2.5 million project to boost the eldercare capacity of the region, and launched Rumah Whampoa, a travelling exhibition featuring photography, collectibles and personal stories from seniors living in Whampoa, in 2018.

Dr Tsao has also served as technical adviser with the World Health Organization’s Ageing and Life Course unit, the Asean Secretariat, and international NGO HelpAge.