The Board of Directors of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (The KWCF) is pleased to name Stephen Swatridge as the organization’s Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Swatridge’s appointment as interim CEO is an important component of the Board’s transition plan and ensures that the Board has a solid leader and relationship builder in place during the 6-month transition process. The search for a permanent President & Chief Executive Officer will begin this month following the departure of CEO Rosemary Smith on October 31st.
“The Board is sincerely grateful to Rosemary for her significant contribution to the success of The KWCF over the past 15 years “states David Brenneman, Chair of the Board. “Rosemary’s vision for a community where everyone not only feels like they belong but are also empowered to step up and reach their potential has been an inspiration to many in our community.”
The search for the next President & CEO will begin in earnest at the end of the month following the selection of an executive recruitment firm to support the Board through the process of finding its next leader.
“Based on community stakeholder feedback, The KWCF Board has developed key strategic priorities for the organization, and the new President & CEO will be expected to focus on and build upon this strategic framework, while also heightening the attention on issues that have driven the Foundation’s work to date”. Brenneman noted. “In the interim, we are thrilled to have Stephen working with staff to continue to keep the organization in great shape by managing the everyday work of The Foundation and building solid lasting relationships.”
Swatridge, who has a reputation for strong leadership in the charitable sector, comes to The KWCF with over 40 years of professional experience leading not for profits, including serving as the head of KidsAbility for 27 years and most recently serving as Interim CEO at Carizon.
“I’m very pleased to step into this position and support The KWCF Board at such an exciting, but critical time in the Foundation’s history” says Swatridge, who will begin his work at The KWCF on November 7, 2016 for approximately a six month period “the Community Foundation is a vital and integral part of this wonderful community in which we all live, work and play. I feel privileged to continue the positive community leadership that the Foundation has demonstrated over the years.”
