The Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Robert Gottschalk as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 2023. Mr. Gottschalk’s extensive leadership experience and knowledge in healthcare philanthropy will be an asset to the CNF. Rob was appointed after a comprehensive search.
“This is an exciting time for our organization. With his track record of philanthropic leadership and fundraising success, Rob is ideally positioned to help lead CNF into the future” said Dr. Claire Betker, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We look forward to working with him to advance our strategic goals to help nurses learn, investigate and advance nursing best practices across Canada”.
The Canadian Nurses Foundation improves the delivery of healthcare by awarding scholarships to promising nursing students and nurses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate study levels, and by funding nurse-led research to enhance the quality and efficacy of patient and client care. Most recently, the CNF has worked with valued funding partners to support projects that address the impact of the current pandemic on nurses’ work life and mental health, thus supporting practicing nurses to continue to participate in the workforce and serve their patients, clients and communities.
Prior to accepting the position with CNF, Rob served as the Associate Vice President of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. While with The Ottawa Hospital, Rob held management roles in the areas of Philanthropy, Prospect Research, and Planned Giving. Rob is a highly experienced executive fundraiser with a proven track record in strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder relations. He has held senior roles at significant healthcare and academic institutions, and understands the complex environments in which the nursing profession resides. He will bring this record of accomplishment to the CNF, initiating a new phase of growth and development for our Foundation at a critically important time for nurses, health care and the health of people in Canada.
“I am committed to continuing the efforts of the CNF team in supporting nurses, those in the profession today, and those of tomorrow, as they are critical to the Canadian healthcare system and are pivotal to creating healthy communities,” said Rob. “Global events and pressures on the healthcare system have elevated the public’s understanding of the vital role nurses play in providing care across the healthcare system and in keeping us all healthy. It is an honour to join the CNF and work with its staff, partners, supporters, volunteers and Board of Directors, to ensure that nurses receive the support and funding needed to advance the care provided to the Canadian public.”
Please join us in congratulating Rob as he joins the CNF as our CEO in January 2023. The Board of Directors would also like to take this opportunity to thank Christine Reick-Buckley, former CEO, for her vision, leadership and tireless work on behalf of CNF over the past decade. Christine retired earlier this fall, leaving the Foundation in a positive position to continue its important role in supporting Canada’s nurses to be among the best-educated, experienced and committed professionals serving our valued health care system and the public.
On behalf of the board of directors,
Claire Betker, PhD, RN, CCHN(C), FCAN, Chair
Find out more about the Canadian Nurses Foundation at https://cnf-fiic.ca/ or contact us at 613-680-0879 x 221
