Olivia Nuamah appointed as Atkinson Foundation's new Executive Director

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - The Atkinson Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Olivia Nuamah as its new Executive Director. An accomplished executive leader, policy expert and social justice advocate, Ms. Nuamah will spearhead the Foundation's groundbreaking social and economic justice work and continue to forge bold new initiatives to realize its mission.

"I am thrilled about leading the Atkinson Foundation in pursuit of a more just, prosperous, safe and healthy society for everyone, no matter their circumstances," said Ms. Nuamah, the Atkinson Foundation's new Executive Director. "The Atkinson position is my ideal job. Social justice is my passion and my mission is to harness the capacity of communities with a view to designing and delivering better services that empower the most vulnerable."

Born, raised and educated in Toronto, Ms. Nuamah has excelled in roles within government and the 3rd sector in the U.K. over the past 15 years. Her areas of focus have included learning disabilities, diversity and race equality, community development and engagement, mental health, and children and youth services. While holding senior policy positions in the U.K.'s health department, Ms. Nuamah implemented national poverty reduction and social inclusion strategies to achieve better delivery of services to diverse and socially disenfranchised communities.

Ms. Nuamah's appointment is the result of a four-month international search led by the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

"We are very excited about the next chapter of the Foundation's work under Olivia's leadership," said Peter A. Armstrong, President and Board Chair. "Olivia brings a compassionate, courageous and collaborative approach to working with people and systems that we are confident will make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged in Ontario."

Ms. Nuamah is moving to Toronto from the U.K. to begin her appointment on September 7, 2010. She replaces Charles Pascal, the first full time Executive Director, who is leaving the Foundation following 15 years of leadership.

Established in 1942 by Joseph E. Atkinson, former publisher of The Toronto Star, the Atkinson Charitable Foundation is a private Canadian foundation with the mission to "promote social and economic justice in the tradition of our founder." It has granted more than $60 million in the categories of health, social welfare, economic justice and education. Current priority areas are Poverty Reduction, Early Learning and Development, and the Canadian Index of Wellbeing.

For further information: Pedro Barata, Communications Coordinator, 416-869-4800