It is an honour to be here today—to lead the Board of Directors and to work alongside an exceptional group of volunteers and the extremely dedicated staff at the national office, under the leadership of Dan Clement. First, I would like to acknowledge the commitment of our Board of Directors. Like the many volunteers with the United Way Centraide Movement, you dedicate your time and share your expertise and resources to work toward the sometimes elusive, but essential goal of ensuring that every person in every community has the opportunity to succeed.
The Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year—in this case, 2025—yet I cannot help but associate that year with an event that many of us experienced together recently, in 2026. United Way Centraide Canada adopted a new strategic plan in 2025, and I saw that plan come to life in Halifax during our biennial Leading Forward conference.
With 4 plenary sessions and 30 workshops over two days, it is impossible to take in every detail, but several moments stood out and clearly demonstrated the five pillars of our strategic plan:
Some strategic plans require interpretation by a consultant. Not this one, because it is a living, dynamic document that is clear, actionable, and grounded in our shared goal. As we wrap up the first full year of implementing the five pillars, I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who has contributed to the progress we have made.
In 2025, Past Chair Jason Hatcher and I launched a new initiative to strengthen connections across our movement: the Chair-to-Chair meetings. We held six sessions last year, using them to highlight national initiatives that benefit all members. I want to thank Lynda Giffen for her excellent presentations on our membership standards — three times, twice in English and once in French. Earlier this year, Paul Totten delivered a terrific presentation on the extensive list of services available to all United Way Centraides — including, by the way, a very good discount on cell phones. Both PowerPoints remain available if you’d like to share them locally.
These gatherings have become a valuable space for senior volunteer leaders to share wins, challenges, and lessons learned. We’re still refining the format, but we look forward to continuing these meetings in the fall.
The UWCC Board of Directors is made up of board members from across the country, and we meet three times a year in different provinces. These meetings often include visits to organizations supported by United Way Centraide and discussions with local boards. Last December, my colleagues on the Board of Directors travelled from Vancouver, Halifax, and other cities across Canada to Montreal, where I reside. Our two-day meeting included a tour of The Dépôt, a community food centre serving Montreal’s largest neighbourhood. We helped prepare snacks and energy cookies, but most importantly, we saw how The Dépôt has transformed the traditional food bank model by prioritizing healthy foods, avoiding processed foods, and offering cooking classes and a home-style grocery shopping experience.
Centraide du Grand Montréal is also holding its AGM today. I would like to acknowledge the warm welcome we received from the team at The Dépôt, which was led at the time by Tasha Lackman, who is now CEO of Centraide du Grand Montréal. A full circle that demonstrates the strength of leadership throughout our Movement. We also met with the management team and the Board of Directors of Centraide du Grand Montréal. These interactions allow the national board to understand the opportunities available to our organization and the challenges it faces. We look forward to visiting Winnipeg at the end of September.
I mentioned our updated Membership Requirements earlier. Adopted in 2025, they apply to all of us — including the national board and national office. Like every United Way and Centraide across the country, we are reviewing our practices to ensure full compliance. I’m proud to say we’re receiving strong marks so far, though there is always room to grow. Governance, like fundraising, accounting, and community impact, is constantly evolving. We owe it to our donors, our teams, and the people we support to be the best we can be.
I have been a Centraide volunteer for about 25 years. As I complete my first year as Chair of the Board of United Way Centraide Canada, I am more convinced than ever of the critical role we play in every community where there is a United Way Centraide footprint. Everywhere I go, I meet volunteers and leaders who help me better understand our impact. Yes, we raise funds, but we do so to help communities. We bring people together. We are building stronger, more sustainable communities. I admire how hard everyone works, the boundless dedication of our volunteers, and how we help Canadians reach their full potential. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the invaluable contribution you make to United Way Centraide.
Thank you to each and every one of you for everything you bring to United Way Centraide.
Before we hear from our CEO, Dan Clement, I would like to thank three members of the Board of Directors whose terms are ending this year: CeCe Baptiste, Christine Hanlon and Kevin Muir.
Cece has served two full terms, travelling from Saskatoon to meetings across the country — no small feat as air travel from smaller Canadian cities becomes increasingly challenging. We are grateful for her thoughtful approach to governance and her ability to consider the long-term implications of our decisions and her strategic guidance as we advance our commitment to reconcilitation.
Christine joined the board in 2019 and has served in several roles including Chair of Nominations and since 2023 as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Her wisdom and practicality have been invaluable. She has often reminded us that we cannot do everything — and has helped us focus where we can have the greatest impact.
Kevin, who also leaves the board this year, served on the Finance and Audit Committee for two years. He brought his professional expertise as a CPA to every discussion, strengthening our oversight and decision-making.
To Cece, Christine, and Kevin — thank you for your service, your leadership, and your commitment to this movement.
