Rachael Wilson
United Way East Ontario is pleased to welcome Rachael Wilson as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 12, 2026.
Wilson most recently served as CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank, steering the charity through substantial growth and organizational change. She also helped lead Ottawa’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, working with the city, United Way East Ontario and a broad network of partners in housing, employment, social services and food security.
Wilson says that she feels this is the most logical next step to her career given her background and aspirations:
Wilson’s long standing background with the Ottawa Food Bank has given her pause to look at the issue of food insecurity through a somewhat different lens. She explains:
Wilson goes on to talk about the interconnectivity of so many issues surrounding systemic hunger which include a hard look at homelessness and income inequity:
United Way East Ontario launched its search for a new President and CEO earlier this year, working with recruitment firm Odgers to ensure a fair and comprehensive process. The posting was shared widely across Canada.
Interim president and CEO Dennise Taylor-Gilhen—who also spent years as vice-president of community impact—will transition into an advisory position to guide several strategic priorities.
Among the many mandates that Wilson has coming into the role is a desire to understand how to remove the stigma of the food bank given that so many more segments of society are now relying on food banks for sheer survival:
Wilson is looking forward to stepping into the role early next year and continuing the incredible work done by The United Way.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
