Guelph – Just as spring is a time for growth and renewal, The Guelph Community Foundation welcomes a new Executive Director and a new Board Chair. The new ‘dynamic duo’ of Andrea Olson and Hugh Guthrie brings a breadth of experience and community leadership to both the managerial and governance positions.

Effective May 19th, Andrea Olson assumes the Executive Director position. Her background includes a who’s who of major Canadian not-for-profits. With over twenty years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, including YMCAs, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada, the ALS Society of Canada, Canada’s National History Society and the Canadian Red Cross, Ms. Olson brings a wealth of knowledge to The Foundation.

Whether working with clients or teaching at Humber College’s Fundraising and Volunteer Management program, Olson says: “One constant in my work has been the requirement to nurture and manage relationships. Working with donors and engaging them in the philanthropic process benefits them personally and enriches their communities. That’s the true heart of The Community Foundation’s message that anyone can build a legacy.”

No stranger to The Foundation, Ms. Olson has consulted with Community Foundations of Canada and is a former Board member of the Guelph Community Foundation where she served on its Grants Committee and Chaired the Vital SignsÔ Advisory Group which released a compendium of essential community data last fall.

New GCF Board Chair Hugh Guthrie had high words of praise for Ms. Olson as well as for her predecessor, Cindy Lindsay. “Generous donors in our community have made it possible for The Foundation to have already granted over 1 million dollars to Guelph and Wellington. I look forward to achieving further significant milestones during my mandate and beyond." A founding GCF board member, local business owner and long-time Guelph lawyer, Hugh Guthrie is a well known community leader.