Make-A-Wish^®Canada Welcomes Meaghan Stovel McKnight as Chief Executive Officer

February, 2022

February 1, 2022 TORONTO — Make-A-Wish^® Canada’s Board of Directors announce the appointment of Meaghan Stovel McKnight as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 14, 2022.

Ms. McKnight brings over two decades of mission motivated leadership and possesses an outstanding reputation for building strong teams and delivering exceptional results in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. She has spent the last decade as Chief Operating Officer at two of Canada’s largest charities, leading large teams through significant transformation and growth. Most recently Ms. McKnight served as Chief Operating Officer at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation where, despite significant turbulence of the pandemic, she led the team to modernize foundation operations, elevate fundraising, and earn recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Ms. McKnight also led the operational amalgamation of two charities to form Trillium Health Partners Foundation in 2013.

 “We are delighted that Ms. McKnight will be joining Make-A-Wish Canada to lead with warmth, passion and a clear vision at such a critical time in our organization’s history,” said Michele Augert, Chair of Make-A-Wish Canada’s Board of Directors. “She is uniquely qualified for this role.  She brings formidable experience in transformational leadership, strategy development and execution, and a proven track record in elevating fundraising.  She joins the organization as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic and look to the future to deliver on our goal of granting the wish of every eligible child across the country.”

“The mission of Make-A-Wish Canada compels me both as an executive and a mother, and I am truly inspired to lead the team as we deliver on our goal to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses,” stated Ms. McKnight.  “I look forward to meeting our donors, staff and volunteers across the country who bring the vision of Make-A-Wish Canada to life each and every day”.

Throughout the past year, the Make-A-Wish Canada team has delivered over 900 wishes to children across the country.  Make-A-Wish Canada’s Board of Directors extends their sincere gratitude to the entire Make-A-Wish Canada team, with special thanks to Lyanne Goulin, Vice President, Mission Advancement, for ensuring continued focus on our mission during this period of leadership transition. 

About Make-A-Wish Canada

Make-A-Wish^® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide. 

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 36,000 wishes across the country, over 900 last year alone. 

Media Contact:
Ashley Thorpe
VP, Brand Marketing & Communications
Make-A-Wish Canada
905 516-2623
[email protected]