By Pepper Parr

March 31st, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

After 11 years of exemplary leadership, Colleen Mulholland, President & CEO of Burlington Foundation, has advised the Board that she will retire at the end of December 2022.

Colleen Mulholland: worked tirelessly during the 2014 flood relief effort.

In making the announcement the Foundation Board said: “when Colleen stepped into the role of President & CEO in 2011, she greatly improved the Foundations ability to achieve their mission through the evolution of the leadership and presence within our civic, business, charitable, and philanthropic communities.

“Under Colleen’s vision and direction, Foundation assets have grown substantially from $5 million in 2011 to over $24 million in assets today.

“In 2014, Colleen was instrumental in leading and managing the Burlington Flood Disaster Relief Program on behalf of the City of Burlington. Alongside Ron Foxcroft, Chair of the Relief Committee, the Foundation raised a combined total of $2.7 million in a 100-day campaign to support flood victims most in need through the generosity of the community, local businesses, and the provincial government.

“Since the onslaught of the pandemic in 2019, Colleen led Foundation efforts to rapidly launch fundraising initiatives and manage several phases and programs of Covid-19 relief funding totaling over $1.3 million to help support our most vulnerable community members.

At a fund raising gala with Angelo Paletta.

“Under Colleen’s leadership, in 2014 Burlington Foundation was the first Not-For- Profit organization to be honoured with a Business Excellence Award by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

“During her tenure Colleen has received several awards recognizing her tireless commitment to supporting community. In 2015, Colleen received an Outstanding Community Service Award from the City of Burlington and the Province of Ontario for her leadership in successfully managing the Flood Disaster Relief Program. And in 2017, Colleen received an Ontario 150 Award in honour of the substantial contributions she has made in our community and in the province.”

“Most recently, Colleen was awarded the 2021 YWCA Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award for Hamilton/Halton for her over 30 years commitment to supporting community and for improving the quality of life for so many.

“Over the past decade, Burlington Foundation has become a strategic community foundation able to work effectively in a complex and ever-changing landscape, as well as a learning organization that embraces reflection and refinement. We are deliberate and focused on how best to improve the lives of those most vulnerable in our community. We are nimble when it comes to opportunities. We are constantly improving. The Board of Directors collectively embraces these attributes. And that will not change with the coming leadership transition.

“We are very fortunate to have worked alongside a leader with Colleen’s passion, creativity, and drive to establish good productive partnerships. And in that regard, I am pleased to share that Colleen will assist the Board with the recruitment of a new generational leader to join Burlington Foundation prior to her departure.”