Dear CDI Community,
The Board of the Child Development Institute (CDI) is pleased to announce that, after an extensive search, we have hired a new Chief Executive Officer: Rowena Pinto. Her start date will be August 5, 2026.
During the interview process, Rowena demonstrated the attributes we were looking for in the next CEO: a collaborative and supportive leadership style, the ability to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, partners and funders, excellent communication skills, energy and enthusiasm, and a passion for CDI’s work. We believe she will be a very valuable asset to CDI as we continue to evolve and expand our impact and reach.
Rowena brings over 25 years of progressive non-profit, charitable sector leadership experience. Most recently Rowena served as President and CEO of jack.org – a national youth mental health organization, where she led a successful transition from founder-led start-up organization to a trusted charity. Rowena has extensive experience and expertise in strategic planning, operational oversight, fund development, diversity, equity and inclusion, strategic partnerships, and program management and evaluation in diverse public sector organizations. Prior to her tenure at jack.org, Rowena worked at UNICEF Canada as Chief Program Officer and was accountable for international policy and program activities aimed at advancing child and youth wellbeing in Canada and the Global South, with a focus on poverty prevention and removing systemic barriers. While at UNICEF she expanded government funding by over 300% and led the development of an enterprise-wide DEI strategy.
We look forward to welcoming Rowena to CDI.
Sincerely,
Wendy Miller
Chair of the Board of Directors
“I am deeply honoured to lead the Child Development Institute and work with the talented and dedicated team, valued partners and broader community to build on CDI’s strong legacy of delivering meaningful impact for children, youth and families we serve.”
— Rowena Pinto