Meet Jim Alexander - The Foundation's New Board Chair
Meet Jim Alexander - The Foundation's New Board Chair
2024 Sees the start of a two-year term for Jim Alexander as London Community Foundation’s Board Chair, taking over from Erin Naylor. Jim recently shared some of his thoughts on his new position with us.
Q. How did you first hear of London Community Foundation, and what led you to get involved?
A. I was intrigued by the innovative Back to the River Project 10 years ago and started learning more about the Foundation and its broader impactful work. I'd completed rewarding healthcare volunteer terms with St. Joe's HC and the Children's Health Foundation, and, after a short break, wanted to be more aware of and involved in a wider scope of issues affecting London. This, and word of mouth, naturally lead me to The Foundation and the Grants Committee.
Q. What is your professional background? How do the skills and experience gained from your profession benefit the Foundation and board of directors?
A. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989 and worked in Audit & Tax roles in public accounting (E&Y here in London) before joining TD's Tax and Finance Group where I started my CFA designation. I feel I hit my stride though moving to Trudell in 2000 where I've been since, first in operations (accounting, tax and finance) and subsequently, managing Corporate and Family Investments for 20 years. I had a great mentor for 15 of those years in Mitch Baran, a London Champion, who passed away in 2015. Attention to detail (my wife may chuckle at that), financial analysis, reasonability assessments, and healthy skepticism are useful skills I'd say are transferable to my Foundation role.
Q. What experiences have you gained (or what have you learned) from your role as a board member so far?
A. The most satisfying is seeing the power of teamwork from the dedicated staff and volunteers across all our committees & Board. The best solution always seems to be found when there's engagement and trust. In terms of new experiences...well I've never hired a CEO before! Fortunately, we've selected a strong search firm and put together a fantastic search committee guiding us through this important process.
Q. With Vision SoHo under construction, the Whole of Community System Response to Health and Homelessness in London underway, and a new CEO and President expected at the Foundation this year, how exciting a time is this to become board chair?
A. Very exciting, and a testament to the innovative thinking and desire of past and present London Community Foundation staff & volunteers to improve lives in our community. I'd add our Social Finance Loan Program as another of those impactful innovations. Martha Powell was a dedicated CEO who served The Foundation and London so well for many years. With her retirement last year we were fortunate to have the accomplished Helen Connell, a former Board Member, step in as Interim CEO while we conducted a thorough search process. I'm confident a stellar new leader will soon emerge.
Q. What element of the Foundation's work is of particular interest to you, or are you particularly proud of? Why?
A. I think our ability to identify problem areas through our Vital Signs work helps in both raising money and engaging philanthropists, while directing funds to the areas with the most needs. The interconnectivity of our Donor Development and Grants Teams, and their combined knowledge of the Not For Profit entities and activity, in and around London, is one of The Foundation’s key strengths. There's lots to be proud of but I'd say particularly the quality and dedication of our volunteers who are an invaluable extension to a hard working and lean staff. This teamwork and leverage has for instance facilitated The Foundation's prominent role in addressing Homelessness and Affordable Housing causes.
Q. What are your personal goals/targets for your two-year term as chair of the board?
A. Near term, hire an outstanding CEO candidate who can lead the Foundation for several years, then finalize a fresh and robust Strategic plan with the new CEO's input. It would also be beneficial to have more Londoners (whether potential donors, volunteers or not for profits) aware of London Community Foundation so we can perpetuate and grow our impact. We have the potential to do much more. Let's move London well up the ladder of "Most livable cities".
Q. How would you describe London Community Foundation's role in London and Middlesex County?
A. Enhance our community by taking a leadership role in identifying challenges, opportunities and pressing needs. London Community Foundation serves as a steward of research, funds, and information about local impact. In doing so we seek to provide grants and loans to support effective nonprofit organizations and initiatives.
Q. Why do you choose to volunteer your time with London Community Foundation? (i.e. what inspires you to volunteer?)
A. The staff and volunteers inspire me with their 3 Cs...compassion, caliber and cheerfulness