The Right Honourable David Johnston, Canada’s 28th Governor General and Chair of the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is pleased to announce the selection of Teresa Marques as the RHF’s new President & CEO.
Ms. Marques, currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the RHF, is an accomplished charitable sector leader and senior executive with extensive experience leading development teams in the healthcare and post-secondary education sectors. Ms. Marques has been instrumental in the growth and development of the partnership-based RHF through strategic relationship building, program development and communications strategy. Prior to joining the RHF in 2016, she held senior leadership roles at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, York University and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR). She holds degrees in Canadian history from the University of Ottawa and York University, as well as a post-graduate certificate from Dalhousie University’s School of Continuing Education, with a focus on non-profit governance. In addition to her professional qualifications and experience, she is an established community leader and noted volunteer with several charities in Toronto and Ottawa.
Says Mr. Johnston of Ms. Marques’ appointment: “The work of this foundation requires a leader with extensive experience at the national level, who also must be able to represent the generosity and innovation inherent in the Canadian spirit. Teresa is a shining example of both these qualities and we are very fortunate to have her at the helm.”
Ms. Marques will be replacing retiring President & CEO, Scott Haldane. “I am thrilled and honoured to succeed Scott and build on the accomplishments of the Board, staff, donors and volunteers over the first years of the RHF’s history. The Rideau Hall Foundation has a unique role to play in support of values that go to the very root of the Canadian experience and I am excited to take on the challenge of helping the organization realize its full potential.”
The selection process for the new CEO began in early 2018, with a comprehensive outreach effort that attracted a pool of excellent candidates from across the country and yielded approximately 70 formal applications. “Five candidates were selected for personal interviews by the committee, all of whom were commendably prepared, knowledgeable, experienced, and highly motivated to lead the RHF to the next level.” Selection committee chair Ross McGregor said of the process, “Ultimately, Teresa rose to the top of this very prestigious and competitive group.”
Ms. Marques will assume her role effective July 1, 2018.
The Rideau Hall Foundation is a registered national charity that brings together ideas, people and resources to enhance the impact of the Office of Governor General as a central institution of Canadian democracy. Working towards a better Canada, the RHF celebrates what is best about Canada while working with partners to meaningfully improve lives and foster the conditions for more Canadians to succeed and thrive. The RHF’s work spans four key programmatic areas and challenges for Canada, including: (1) learning initiatives that strive for excellence and promote equality of opportunity; (2) strengthening Canada’s culture of innovation, (3) widening the circle of giving and volunteering; and (4) investing in Canadian leaders with transformative potential.
