2023 AGM Update & Thanks

At our Annual General Meeting on June 20, 2023, the Board of Operation Walk Canada recognized the extraordinary commitment of Anna Hales, who has been a key member of this organization since its inception in 2006. Anna has been the "volunteer" part-time CEO for 15 years, from 2008 until 2023, and is now retiring from this role.

In her years with our organization, Anna has been directly involved with 15 mission trips to Guatemala, liaising and planning with local contacts there and the Operation Walk Team Leaders here, organizing the recruitment of volunteer resources, obtaining supplies as well as coordinating shipping and travel arrangements. In addition to the missions, she has worked on our annual fundraising concerts and interacted with donors and sponsors, handling requests, thank you notes, tax receipts and record-keeping. She has always brought a positive, can-do attitude to this often challenging role, and we will miss her sense of humour and her "we can find a way to do that" approach! We wish her the very best on her retirement!

The Board also wishes to announce that Janet Tufts will be assuming the part-time position as Executive Director of Operation Walk, beginning on August 1, 2023. Janet has many years of experience with not-for-profit organizations, including the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and most recently Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area. We look forward to Janet's skills and expertise supporting the Board of Operation Walk as we move forward.

Anna will be assisting Janet with the transition into the fall, and we hope to see her at our future concerts and other fundraising events!

Please join me in thanking Anna for her years of dedicated volunteerism with Operation Walk, and welcoming Janet to her new role with this organization.

Richard McCalden
Chair, Board of Directors Operation Walk