Canadian Red Cross elects new national president

(Ottawa, June 17, 2006) — The Canadian Red Cross Society welcomes Jane McGowan as the President of its Board of Governors. Ms. McGowan, of Oakville, Ontario, was elected today at the Red Cross' Annual General Meeting.

“Ms McGowan brings a wealth of experience to the Red Cross, as an experienced volunteer, executive board member and through her career as a business and management consultant,” said Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General, Canadian Red Cross. “Her experience, compassion, and commitment to the fundamental principles of the Red Cross are all qualities that will make her an excellent leader during the next two years.”

Ms. McGowan began volunteering with the Red Cross in 1993 and has served as Vice-President of the Board of Governors for the last two years.

“I am truly honoured to be the President of such a vital and respected organization,” said Ms McGowan. “Our volunteers and staff never cease to amaze me in the way they respond to the diverse needs in communities from coast to coast and around the world. Whether they are responding to local house fires, providing comfort and support to evacuees in New Orleans, managing reconstruction and housing projects in Indonesia or helping to eradicate malaria in Africa, Canadian Red Cross staff, delegates and volunteers demonstrate the power of humanity each and every day.”

Prior to founding her management consulting firm in 1991, Ms. McGowan held senior positions with Deloitte & Touche and Infomart, a Division of Southam.  Ms. McGowan studied English at McMaster University, Fine Arts at York University, and Les Cours Spécials de la Faculté des Lettres at l’Université de Dijon, France. She spent several years teaching high school English and Art in Scarborough, Ontario. In additional to the Red Cross, she has been an active community volunteer all her life, and has held board appointments with a variety of other organizations, including the Children’s Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto.

The Canadian Red Cross is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Since it was established more than 100 years ago, the Canadian Red Cross has become part of the nation’s social fabric, providing disaster relief, water safety programs, first aid training, community home care, violence and abuse prevention services and international assistance. For more information on the Canadian Red Cross, please visit our website at www.redcross.ca.

President's Biography»

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For more information or to arrange an interview with Ms. McGowan, please contact:

Alice Bradbury d’Anjou
A/Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.:  (613) 740-1928
Cel.:  (613) 222-6196

Posted June 17, 2006