Dave Leonard, CEO of McCarthy Tetrault, has been appointed chair of United Way Greater Toronto’s 2023 Community Campaign.
This will be the largest fundraising campaign in the world, with 2,200 volunteers, 950 workplaces, and 85,000 donors working together to end poverty. The pandemic has had a significant impact on inflation, and as a result, there will be an increasing demand for social services in 2023.
United Way Greater Toronto supports 300 community agencies that help people meet immediate needs and works to achieve long-term systems-change so that the current context doesn’t become the new normal.
“I have seen first-hand the impact United Way’s work has on people’s lives and their families and it motivates me to support this phenomenal organization. United Way brings people and organizations together to fight poverty and improve social conditions on a scale no single organization or individual can accomplish alone,” said Leonard. “As the 2023 Community Campaign Chair, I know in my heart that if we work together, united, we will build a stronger, more equitable region.”
Leonard has been a long-time volunteer with United Way Greater Toronto and has seen the impact their work has on people’s lives. He has over 20 years of experience as a litigator and was appointed CEO of McCarthy Tetrault in 2016.
Under his leadership, McCarthy Tetrault has launched several diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as the Inclusion Now program, dedicated to corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion.
Leonard will partner with Damon Williams, CEO of RBC Global Asset Management, who will act as the Major Individual Giving Cabinet Chair. Williams has over 15 years of experience in the investment management industry and oversees over $500 billion of assets for individuals and institutions.
United Way Greater Toronto’s research has shown that social identity and location can be barriers to success and opportunity in the GTA, and many systems in place reinforce those barriers.
To address poverty and advance equity across the region, United Way Greater Toronto is tackling systems-change and responding to urgent needs through equity-based funding, collaborative partnerships, cross-sector innovation, advocacy, and research.
