Toronto, ON – May 29, 2024 – The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Tomlinson as its permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
After an extensive and comprehensive search process that attracted a broad range of candidates from both within and outside the child welfare sector, Lisa emerged as the leading choice for the CAST CEO permanent position.
The CAST Board CEO Search Committee recognized her exemplary service expertise, leadership abilities, strategic approach and overall strength as an executive leader within a large, complex, Board-governed child welfare agency. Her wealth of experience and knowledge, combined with her ability to guide CAST through significant changes over the past few years, made her the standout candidate.
Lisa holds more than 30 years of clinical experience working with children, youth and their families, with more than 20 of those years in the child welfare sector supporting the Greater Toronto Area. She has been serving as CAST’s Interim CEO since August 2022, and prior to that was Chief Operating Officer and Director of Service.
In addition to her work with CAST, Lisa is an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Sessional Trainer for the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and has taken on volunteering roles including acting as Board Chair for the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto and a serving as a Panel Member for the United Way Toronto.
Her appointment underscores the confidence the CAST Board of Directors has in her ability to successfully lead the Agency in a permanent CEO capacity moving forward.
“We are thrilled to have Lisa Tomlinson appointed as the Agency’s permanent CEO,” said Yeugenia Kazantseva, CAST Board Chair and CEO Search Committee Chair. “Her exceptional leadership and deep understanding of the Agency, the child welfare sector and our work will enable her to continue driving CAST’s strategic planning and advocacy efforts forward, whilst ensuring consistency and continuity in what we do.”
The CEO recruitment process was spearheaded by the CAST Board CEO Search Committee, which included Board members and was supported by an Advisory Panel consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, OACAS, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, CUPE 2316, our Agency’s Youth Council and some community partners.
“Thank you to the Advisory panel for their expertise and insight throughout the search process,” said Randy Carter, Chair of CAST Governance and Nominating committee. “We also extend our thanks and appreciation to all candidates who participated in the recruitment process.”
Lisa’s role as CAST CEO takes effect Monday, June 3, 2024.
