Michael Maidment, ICD.D

Michael currently serves as President and CEO of the Ottawa Community Foundation, where he leads an organization stewarding more than $300 million in charitable assets and mobilizing philanthropy to address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities across the National Capital Region. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as President and CEO of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Food Bank.

Throughout his career, Michael has been recognized for leading organizational transformation and helping institutions adapt to changing environments while strengthening their long-term sustainability and impact. At the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, he led the most significant transformation in the organization's history, repositioning it from a traditional cancer research funder to a provider of community-based cancer support services and establishing Eastern Ontario's first Community Cancer Hub. At the Ottawa Food Bank, he helped redefine food security through a health-focused approach that strengthened nutrition, partnerships, and community outcomes.

Michael has also played a significant role in public policy development and government relations. He contributed to Canada's National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking and helped advance efforts to address poverty, food insecurity, and community health through policy, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. He has appeared before House of Commons and Senate committees and has worked extensively with governments, healthcare institutions, businesses, funders, and community organizations to address complex social challenges.

An ICD.D-designated governance professional, Michael brings extensive experience working with boards and executive teams to strengthen governance, align strategy, manage risk, and lead through periods of uncertainty and change. He has served as a board chair, director, and governance leader across healthcare, philanthropy, social services, and community organizations. His governance experience includes serving as Chair of Feed Ontario, Co-Chair of Food Banks Canada's National Governance and Structure Task Force, and director roles with organizations including the Mississippi River Health Alliance, OrKidstra, Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre, Ottawa Grace Manor, and others.

What makes Michael's perspective distinctive is the combination of executive leadership experience, governance expertise, public policy engagement, and a deeply personal story. Raised in a small town in Newfoundland and Labrador in a family that struggled to make ends meet, he became the first member of his family to pursue post-secondary education and ultimately went on to lead some of Canada's most respected charitable organizations.

As a speaker, Michael shares practical insights on leadership, governance, organizational transformation, philanthropy, public policy, and systems change. His presentations combine real-world experience, thoughtful leadership lessons, and compelling storytelling, leaving audiences inspired to think differently about leadership, opportunity, and impact.