Elizabeth Hartney, PhD, is the Principal Investigator of the Elders in Emergency Project. She is a Registered Psychologist, and served as Professor of Health Leadership, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University. She has over 25 years of leadership experience as an educator, clinician, policy developer, researcher, and healthcare leader.

Dr Hartney has graduate degrees in psychology, cognitive science, and higher education, as well as numerous certifications. Throughout her career, she has worked with marginalized health service users, including people with mental health and substance use issues, trauma, and HIV/AIDS. Since joining Royal Roads University in March 2016, Dr Hartney has engaged extensively with the BC healthcare community, First Nations communities, and people with lived experience to develop a new direction of patient-centred research within the Centre for Health Leadership and Research. Hartney is deeply committed to the transformation of the healthcare system to effectively meet the complex healthcare needs of people who experience disadvantage due to stigma and the social determinants of health. She is commited to transforming the healthcare system to better serve Indigenous peoples and older adults.