Save the Children Names Bill Chambers New President & CEO

TORONTO, ON (Oct 30, 2017) — Save the Children Canada’s Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Bill Chambers as its new president and CEO.

Chambers officially assumes the post on November 6, when Patricia Erb, Save the Children Canada’s current President & CEO, steps down after 29 years of service.

“Our leadership committee considered many extraordinary candidates for this position during an extensive search conducted by members of the board and leaders from other Save the Children member countries,” said Richard Stursberg, Save the Children Canada’s Board Chair. “However, it quickly became very clear to us that Bill is the right choice to continue our important work on behalf of children in need and to continue our vision for the future. Bill has a wealth of experience with Save the Children Canada and many other NGOs. Most importantly, he has a strong passion for our mission to make a lasting change in the lives of the children who need our help the most.”

Chambers first became involved with Save the Children Canada as a member of the Board of Directors from 2003 to 2011, serving as Board Chair from 2005 to 2009. Previously, he was Principal at W.B. Chambers Consulting, which focused on strategy, governance and leadership consulting for Non-Governmental Organisations, including consulting on Save the Children Canada’s brand strategy. He has also sat on the boards of many NGOs including UNICEF Canada, the Canadian Journalism Foundation, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, Pollution Probe, and Toronto Dance Theatre.  From 2003 to 2015 he held various roles on the Senior Executive Team of CBC/Radio-Canada, most recently as VP of Strategy and Public Affairs. Prior to CBC/Radio-Canada he has worked as a corporate executive, run a research business and served in government, including as Chief of Staff to the then Foreign Minister, The Right Honourable Joe Clark.

“I am honoured to be chosen to head an organization that is making a huge difference for children and families in Canada and around the world,” said Chambers. “And I am grateful to Patricia for the leadership she has provided and the inspiration she has been for us at Save the Children throughout her many years of service.   From her, I am excited to pick up the challenge to make Save the Children Canada the vehicle through which Canadians participate in building better futures for the world’s most vulnerable children, at home and abroad.”

“I am personally thrilled that the Board chose Bill out of the several potential candidates, due to his wealth of knowledge of Save the Children,” said Erb, who became President and CEO in 2011. “I believe he will be an excellent leader to take Save the Children forward in the coming years.”

Save the Children is committed to ensuring children realize the rights to which they are entitled under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention forms the basis of all of their work in Canada and around the world. To achieve an environment where children’s human rights and needs are respected and protected, Save the Children’s programs focus on child rights and protection, health and nutrition, clean water, education, sustainable livelihoods, emergency relief and survival. In Canada, Save the Children recognizes that Indigenous children and youth have the right to develop to their full potential as valued and engaged citizens within their Indigenous nations and Canada.

ENDS