CanWaCH Board of Directors Selects CEO

October 13, 2020 — The Board of Directors for the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) congratulates Julia Anderson on her selection as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement of Ms. Anderson’s appointment is effective immediately and was made today by Stanley Zlotkin, Chair of the CanWaCH Board of Directors and Chief of the Centre for Global Child Health at SickKids, and Tonia Occhionero, Chair of the CanWaCH Governance and HR Committee and Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Midwives. 

“The Board is extremely confident that Julia is the right person to lead CanWaCH and its talented team into this important and exciting new stage in its evolution,” said Dr. Zlotkin. “Equipped with a new strategic plan, and as our sector embarks on the next phase of Canadian global health programming, CanWaCH and our great partnership of Canadian global health organizations will flourish and reach new heights under Julia’s dedication and thoughtful leadership.”

“Our rigorous CEO application and review process confirmed without a doubt that Julia possesses the knowledge, experience, skills and leadership abilities to pilot CanWaCH,” said Ms. Occhionero. “Julia’s strengths include her innovative vision and her unique ability to motivate multiple individuals and organizations to work together towards common goals.”

Julia first joined CanWaCH in 2016 and was the Acting Executive Director of CanWaCH from September 2018 until August 2019. She has been the interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer since July 2020.

With over 15 years of senior and executive level experience in international development, not-for-profits, civil society, human rights and gender equality, Julia works closely with multiple stakeholders on international development policy-related issues, from Canadian and global decision-makers to young leaders. 

In 2019, Julia spearheaded the shaping of a renewed collective vision by Canada’s global health sector that resulted in a $14-billion, 10-year investment by the Government of Canada. In her role as CanWaCH CEO, she will continue to champion bold, innovative – and even disruptive – approaches to advancing the health and rights of women and girls around the world. 

Julia holds a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University and an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from University of Windsor Law School.

“On behalf of the CanWaCH Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate Julia on her hard-earned, well-deserved selection as CEO,” added Dr. Zlotkin. “We look forward to the energy and vision that she will continue to leverage to advance the health and rights of women and children everywhere.”

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