From left, United Way East Ontario president and CEO Rachael Wilson with her board chair, Jennifer Madigan (Syntax Strategic), board vice chair, Glenn Sheen (RBC), and former board member Erin Benjamin (Ottawa Board of Trade) at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Wake-up call: United Way CEO Rachael Wilson rallies support at sold-out Good Morning breakfast
With so many familiar faces gathered in one room bright and early Tuesday, United Way East Ontario’s new president and CEO, Rachael Wilson, joked there was hardly any point to putting her cell phone on silent.
Who could possibly call her? “Everyone I know is in this room,” Wilson said as she welcomed more than 370 community leaders to the sold-out breakfast, called A Good Morning with United Way, held at Infinity Convention Centre.
Stepping up as lead sponsor was Ottawa-based defence, health and technology company Calian. It was represented by its CFO, Will Majic, who’s on the board of United Way East Ontario. Board representation also included board chair Jennifer Madigan, COO at Syntax Strategic, and board vice chair Glenn Sheen, regional director of marketing and citizenship at RBC.
The inaugural event, emceed by An Hour to Give host Sam Laprade, brought together supporters, donors, partners, staff and volunteers for what Wilson described as an “incredible” moment that went beyond coffee and chit chat to serving “a real purpose.”
From the Calian team, from left to right, Dolores Broz-Pelletier, Vickie Fortin-Miron, Dinesh Balakrishnan, Stacey Hovington, Rosanna Leblanc, Kim Vrieling and CFO Will Majic, who’s also on the board of United Way East Ontario, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This year, United Way East Ontario is aiming to raise more than $21 million to help meet growing social needs across the region. “But this morning is not about dollars and cents,” said Wilson. “It’s about the people we serve, and finding the best way to meet growing community needs together.”
Wilson got to the point quickly, asking the room to imagine a young person standing at the door of a shelter late at night, carrying everything they owned in a backpack, scared and uncertain about what came next.
The young person might need more than a safe place to sleep. They could also need help returning to school, getting job training, accessing legal or mental-health support, dealing with substance use or reconnecting with loved ones, said Wilson.
“And here’s the reality: no single organization can provide all of that. No matter how dedicated or how effective an agency may be, the challenges people face don’t fit neatly into one mandate, or one program,” said Wilson.
United Way exists, she said, because the most complex challenges facing communities cannot be solved alone. “They require all of us.”
Wilson described United Way’s role as “helping to connect the dots” by bringing together donors, funding, research and community insight to support critical services across the region.
“That is why I joined United Way,” she said. “Because I truly believe every person in our community deserves the same opportunities, no matter their postal code, their background or where life has brought them so far.”
Ottawa Community Foundation president and CEO Michael Maidment and United Way East Ontario president and CEO Rachael Wilson — both former leaders at the Ottawa Food Bank — at the Good Morning With United Way breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Volunteer Ottawa executive director Jessie-Lee Wallace, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa executive director Susan Ingram, Youturn Youth Support Services executive director Marisa Moher and Christie Lake Kids executive director Adrienne Vienneau at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Patti Murphy, executive director of Youth Services Bureau Foundation, with the chair of her board, Rebecca Murray, philanthropic consultant at
Murray & Associates Law, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, BGC Ottawa CEO Adam Joiner at the United Way East Ontario breakfast with two of his board members, Jennifer Stewart, founder and CEO of Syntax Strategic, and retired BDO Canada partner Robert Rhéaume, who’s a 2026 finalist for an AFP Ottawa award. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Breakfast emcee Sam Laprade, host of the charities-focused An Hour to Give show, with Lee Rose, who recently stepped into his new role at TD as associate director, philanthropic advisory services, with TD Wealth Private Giving Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Michael Qaqish, manager of government relations at Algonquin College; Reza Mashkoori, manager of corporate sponsorships at Christie Lake Kids; Keynote Search CEO and co-founder James Baker; and Scott Phelan from the office of Ontario’s premier, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
StrategyCorp vice president Danya Vered, past board chair with United Way East Ontario, and current United Way East Ontario board member Kevin Barwin, co-CEO and founding partner at Clariti Group, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This past January, Wilson stepped into the leadership role after previously serving as CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank, bringing with her years of experience working on the front lines of community needs.
Over the past nine months, she’s travelled around the region, speaking to residents and learning more about programs funded by United Way East Ontario.
She spoke to Monique Yashinskie, the mother who started the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre in Pembroke after her 18-year-old son died by suicide in 2011. With no local services available at the time, the mother and son had been travelling more than an hour to CHEO each week for help, forcing him to miss school and her to miss work without pay, said Wilson. United Way has supported the centre since it opened in 2013 to bridge mental health service gaps in Renfrew County. It’s now also funding a new program at the centre aimed at preventing intimate partner violence.
She also met mothers at the only second-stage housing program in Lanark County for women who have experienced domestic violence, “where mothers finally had room to breathe, free from the constant fear.” It’s also supported by United Way East Ontario.
Rachael Wilson, president and CEO of United Way East Ontario, addressing a crowd of 370-plus at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The stories Wilson shared are part of a much bigger picture, with demand for social services continuing to grow across the region, she said. Last year alone, United Way East Ontario helped almost 90,000 people, said Wilson.
Wilson pointed to a few numbers that help explain the growing pressure on social services. Almost half of Ottawa students report struggling with their mental health, she said. Opioid use among students in Grades 7 to 12 doubled between 2021 and 2023, and nearly half of local respondents to a recent financial survey had enough of a financial cushion to cover just one month or less of basic expenses, the room also heard.
“That means many people in our community are one unexpected bill, one missed paycheque, or one life event away from needing help themselves,” said Wilson.
Earlier this year, United Way East Ontario joined the broader effort to end youth homelessness in Ottawa by committing to raise an additional $1 million over five years for prevention efforts. In July, it announced a $400,000 investment over two years with the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, Operation Come Home and Youth Services Bureau.
The breakfast also featured a fireside chat. David Hyman cared for his late wife of 56 years, Helgard, as she lived with dementia. The couple took part in day programming at Rural Ottawa South Support Services in Manotick, supported by United Way East Ontario.
Sam Laprade interviewed a panel of guests at the United Way breakfast, including David Hyman, who took part with his late wife in the Rural Ottawa South Support Services in Manotick, supported by United Way East Ontario. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Hyman spoke about how difficult it was to watch his wife decline. Helgard held two master’s degrees and had a wide range of interests, making the changes brought on by dementia especially painful to watch, he said. He spoke about how much Helgard looked forward to the programs, while he valued the support group for spouses and the practical guidance offered to him for caring for her safely at home. “It was just a wonderful thing to have.”
Jessica Ruano spoke about turning to United Way-supported services after the sudden death of her girlfriend, and how she was able to access affordable mental-health counselling, both online and in person. Through the process, she was able to talk more openly about what she was going through. “I think the big thing is it can be so isolating to be a survivor of suicide loss,” said Ruano. “Being able to share my story, for me that was a hugely important part of moving forward.”
Britannia Woods Community Services executive director Mohamed Sofa spoke about the culturally responsive programs his organization provides for local families. His organization is supported by United Way. “Creating space for communities is critical to what we do,” said Sofa.
Speaker Jessica Ruano, left, and Ottawa-based community arts organization MASC executive director Micheline Shoebridge at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast, held Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
By the end of the breakfast, hands throughout the room were raised after Wilson asked a series of questions, from whether attendees had ever volunteered with, partnered with or donated to United Way to whether they believed in making communities stronger, healthier and safer for everyone.
“This is what we’re about, this is what community is about,” said Wilson, as hands remained in the air. “Thank you so much for being here, and for being a part of our community. This is what caring looks like. This is what hope looks like.”
Afterward, Derek Rumboldt-deLouché, senior development officer at Carleton University, had only good things to say about the morning. “Rachael brings a great energy,” said Rumboldt-deLouché, a former United Way employee who continues to volunteer with the organization. “That energy is needed because the community needs to reconnect with United Way and get to know Rachael, who’s out there meeting people and sharing the vision.”
From left, Daphne Burt, senior manager of artistic planning for the National Arts Centre Orchestra; United Way East Ontario board chair Jennifer Madigan, COO of Syntax Strategic; and Ottawa Board of Trade executive vice president Erin Benjamin applauded during closing remarks by United Way East Ontario president and CEO Rachael Wilson at the Good Morning With United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Editor and producer Guy Georgeson with his wife, Katie Hession, a supporter of United Way East Ontario, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Sam Laprade interviewed retired military veteran David Hyman, Jessica Ruano and Mohamed Sofa during a fireside chat held at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO Allen LeBlanc with one of his board members, Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services at RBC, and community volunteer Ed Hansen, chair of TEC Canada, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Kelly Mertl, vice president of community impact at United Way East Ontario, and her colleague, Danielle Leguard, vice president of fundraising, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Calian chief financial officer Will Majic, a United Way East Ontario board member, joined the applause at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast, held Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Annie Premachuk, manager of partnerships and innovation at Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) Foundation; OCH Foundation executive director Traci Spour-Lafrance; and Anum Saeed, donor relations and event coordinator at OCH Foundation, at Infinity Convention Centre for the Good Morning with United Way breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Rachael Wilson, president and CEO of United Way East Ontario, lit up with a smile during the organization’s sold-out Good Morning with United Way breakfast, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, David Alexander, consultant with Westland Benefits; Alex Bélisle, regional vice president with National Bank of Canada; and Dave Dickinson, senior vice president of group benefits and retirement consulting with Westland Benefits, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Marcel Morin, executive director of the Maison de la Francophonie, and veteran community broadcaster Sarah Onyango at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Larry Elliot, regional managing partner at BLG, with law firm associate Antoinette Bugyei-Twum, former United Way Community Builder Award recipient Elliott Bourgeois and Kyle Smendziuk, CEO of WebMarketers and a partner with Phantom Productions, which was the media sponsor of the Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Sam Laprade, host of the charities-focused An Hour to Give show, emceed the inaugural Good Morning with United Way breakfast held at Infinity Convention Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Shelley McLean, development officer at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation; marketing and communications expert Carrie Irvine, president and CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications; and Patti Murphy, executive director of Youth Services Bureau Foundation, at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast, held Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, United Way East Ontario board chair Jennifer Madigan with the organization’s president and CEO Rachael Wilson at their inaugural community breakfast, where the United Way logo lit up the feature wall in the lobby of Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Audience members applaud closing remarks by United Way East Ontario CEO Rachael Wilson at the Good Morning with United Way breakfast, held Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law, Westland Benefits and Ottawa Rapid FC.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
