Plan International Canada Appoints the Honourable Rona Ambrose as Chair of Its Board of Directors

Toronto, ON, November 24, 2022 — Plan International Canada today announced that the Honourable Rona Ambrose has been appointed as the new chair of its board of directors. A member of its board since 2017, Ambrose will succeed respected leader and philanthropist Patsy Anderson. Plan International Canada also announced the appointments of Martine Irman and Mary-Anne Carignan to the board.

“Rona has been instrumental in helping Plan International Canada with its mission to advance children’s rights and equality for girls,” said Lindsay Glassco, President and CEO, Plan International Canada. “Advocating for girls’ rights has been her lifelong passion, and we look forward to her continued dedication as incoming chair. We also want to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Patsy Anderson for her extraordinary leadership. Plan International Canada has benefited immensely from her ability to build an exceptional and diverse board; she continuously pushed us to be better and more impactful, all while manifesting a deep respect for the expertise of our team here in Canada and globally.”

An outspoken champion for the rights of women and girls around the world, Ambrose – along with Plan International Canada – led Canada’s efforts to create the International Day of the Girl at the United Nations in 2011. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their age and gender.

“I am honoured and excited to be the new chair of the board at Plan International Canada,” said Ambrose. “At a time of intense global change and challenges, Plan International Canada is delivering real and lasting improvements in the lives of children and girls and making the world a more just place.”

Anderson has served as chair of Plan International Canada’s board of directors since 2016. Over the course of her tenure, she steered the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, established new committees and governance structures and successfully led the board through its transition toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the guidelines and in the recruitment of its directors, which led to the board welcoming its first youth director. She also championed Twenty Million Reasons, Plan International Canada’s last five-year strategy, through which the organization had an impact on the lives of more than 23 million children, raised over a billion dollars in support of our mission, exceeding our targets to transform the lives of girls, and inspired countless actions by Canadians to help.

“It has been an honour to serve as board chair for Plan International Canada,” said Anderson. “I was privileged to join a board of committed directors who have hugely enriched my life. I am proud of the work we achieved together and the positive impact we have had on children, especially girls, around the world.”

“Plan International Canada is also pleased to welcome two new board members, who bring with them a wealth of experience and leadership skills,” said Glassco. “Martine Irman is an experienced executive and corporate director who has been a strong leader and mentor for women in the investment industry. Mary-Anne Carignan has significant international business experience and is a pioneer in the design and development of health care information technology; she actively mentors women in STEM careers and champions their advancement. Both of these women, with their perspectives and skills, will help bring about positive changes in the lives of children, especially girls, worldwide.” 

“Plan International Canada also bids farewell to David Adams, who has served on the board since 2016,” added Glassco. “David’s experience and devotion have been instrumental in our organization’s success over the years, and we are grateful for his contributions.”

View the profiles of Rona Ambrose, Mary-Anne Carignan and Martine Irman at plancanada.ca.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for 85 years and are now active in more than 75 countries.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information and follow @PlanCanada on social media for the latest news.

For media inquiries, contact:

Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
Plan International Canada
ibourgeault-tasse@plancanada.ca