New CEO for United Way

Joan Fisk is the new CEO of the of United Way Waterloo Region Communities, the agency announced last week.

Fisk most recently completed a six-year term as chair of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network. She has also served as president of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce. She is involved with numerous other organizations, including Gore Mutual Insurance, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph.

Previously, Fisk spent 17 years as president and CEO of Tiger Brand Knitting.

United Way Board Co-Chair Frank Voss says Fisk’s deep roots will bring immediate dividends.

“Joan is a long-time resident of Cambridge, and has strong relationships across the business, education and community sectors. Her recent term with the LHIN demonstrated her ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of agencies while building stronger health services. She’s the charismatic leader we need to move ahead on bringing lasting impacts to the areas on which we focus; youth, poverty, and community,” said United Way board co-chair Frank Voss in a release.

“We reached out to our networks and partners to discover what is needed to lead our United Way through the new reality of philanthropy. Joan is very much about listening. Her ability to engage with communities and partners with a goal of creating innovative solutions is key to our new United Way,” added co-chair Ingrid Pregel of filing the position of CEO for the first time.

Fisk takes over a post currently shared by Ron Dowhaniuk and Jan Varner and will officially begin her new role at the end of July.