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THUNDER BAY - The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is about to undergo some changes in leadership. Betty Kennedy, ONWA’s current Executive Director will soon be transitioning to the position of First Executive Officer with the newly created Ontario Native Women’s Charitable Foundation. The recruitment process for Kennedy’s replacement as ONWA’s Executive Director is currently underway.

“While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as ONWA’s Executive Director, I am excited to take on the new challenge of leading the Ontario Native Women’s Charitable Foundation in its development and preparing for its launch in the fall,” says Kennedy. “I look forward to continuing my work with ONWA in this new role as we work together to improve the lives of Aboriginal women and their families.”

ONWA Moves Forward with Foundation

The Ontario Native Women’s Charitable Foundation has been established to further support Aboriginal Women in the struggle to improve their socio-economic conditions, and to assist with legal supports and educational scholarships to foster independence and leadership development at the community level.

Kennedy will be transitioning to the Foundation to facilitate its development and to ensure its launch in the late fall of 2013.

“To date, ONWA – as a unified voice for equity, equality and justice for Aboriginal women and their families across Ontario – has made tremendous strides under Betty’s direction,” says Dr. Dawn Harvard, President, ONWA Board of Directors. “We are confident that with her leadership and dedication, the newly established Ontario Native Women’s Charitable Foundation will surely garner the same level of success and will lead to further growth and advancement for Aboriginal women and their families.”

The recruitment process for ONWA’s new Executive Director is underway and is being lead by Higgins Executive Search, a retainer search firm that has not only pioneered Aboriginal executive search, but has conducted more successful Aboriginal executive search engagements than any other firm in Canada. Kennedy will stay on as the Executive Director until a replacement is found in order to ensure a seamless transition.