Toronto, ON — September 1, 2016
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Paulette Senior to the role of President and CEO effective October 11, 2016. Ms. Senior comes to the Canadian Women’s Foundation from her role as CEO of YWCA Canada, the oldest and largest multi-service women’s organization in the country. Ms. Senior is recognized as one of the most respected and vocal leaders in Canada’s women’s sector, capturing significant attention at home and abroad as an advocate for women and girls.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Senior to the Foundation. She has a deep knowledge of all areas of our work, and will help to build on our legacy of helping women and girls across Canada,” said Crystal Laborero and Beth Summers, co-chairs of the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Ms. Senior brings a wealth of grassroots experience thanks to several years on the frontlines of social and community development work in some of Toronto’s most economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Throughout her career, she has advocated on issues such as poverty, housing, violence against women, immigration, and social justice, working in partnership with all levels of government. Ms. Senior has led, managed, and operated shelters, employment programs, and housing programs at organizations such as Yellow Brick House, YWCA Toronto, Macaulay Child Development Centre, Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre, and Central Neighbourhood House.
“I am honoured to be joining such a well-respected organization,” said Ms. Senior. “For 25 years, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has been helping women and girls in Canada move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership. Now, their goal is to create the first generation in Canada to experience true gender equality. I have dedicated my career to empowering women and girls to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. I look forward to working with our wonderful donors, grantees, the Board, staff, and volunteers. Together, we will build a more equal Canada.”
Ms. Senior is a graduate of York University and the recipient of several awards including the African Canadian Achievement Award, the Black Women Civic Engagement Award, the MicroSkills Margot Franssen Leadership Award, and the Woman of Influence citation. She currently sits as Chair of Women’s College Hospital. “We wish to sincerely thank our interim CEO Sheherazade Hirji for her dedication and guidance over the last several years. We are so pleased she will play an active role in the transition process,” said Laborero and Summers.
About Canadian Women’s Foundation
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is Canada’s public foundation for women and girls. We empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence and leadership. Since 1991, we’ve raised money and invested in over 1,400 community programs across Canada, and are now one of the ten largest women’s foundations in the world. We take a positive approach to address root causes of the most critical issues facing women and girls. We study and share the best ways to create long-term change and bring community organizations together for training and to learn from each other. We carefully select and fund the programs with the strongest outcomes and regularly evaluate their work. We have a special focus on building a community of women helping other women. Helping women creates safer families and communities, and a more prosperous society for all of us. We invest in the strength of women and the dreams of girls.
Source: www.canadianwomen.org Photo credit: Share News