Julia Deans begins role as founding CEO of the Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation

TORONTO, May 28, 2018 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of the Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation (CCLF) today announced that Julia Deans has assumed her role as the founding Chief Executive Officer of this newly created not-for-profit enterprise. Deans' passion for entrepreneurial start-ups and not-for-profit causes that inspire growth, collaboration, and positive change, will jumpstart this exciting initiative.

The Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation was recently founded by Heather Reisman, CEO of Indigo and Chair of the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, and Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal Emerita of McGill University. Its mission is to ensure that ALL Canadian children are skilled, confident readers by the time they complete grade school – thus making Canadian children the most literate in the world.

Deans holds a B.A.(Hons) from Queen's University, a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, and a J.D./L.L.B from Osgoode Hall Law School.

She brings to the CCLF past experience in business, not-for-profits, law, and government and will build both compelling strategy and the broad relationships required to fulfill the ambitious and life-changing mission of the Foundation.

Deans' entire career has been dedicated to tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges. She served as the founding CEO of CivicAction, where she built the influential organization from an initial project. Most recently Deans has served as CEO of Futurpreneur Canada, a national non-profit organization that has helped more than 10,000 Canadians aged 18-39 launch start-ups with business coaching, financing, mentoring and relevant networks.

Deans is a frequent commentator on youth entrepreneurship and diversity, a board member of Investeco, George Brown College, and the Canada Post Community Foundation. She has been recognized as a 2018 YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction, a 2018 Pearson Centre Progressive Leadership Award winner, a 2017 and 2014 winner of WXN's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and as a Woman of Influence Canadian Diversity Champion in 2012.

The Foundation is delighted to have Julia Deans on board as founding CEO and to work with partners across Canada to help youth achieve a bright and literate future.

SOURCE Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation

Media contact: Kate Gregory, Senior Manager, Public Relations, [email protected]