August 15, 2024 (Toronto, ON) – United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) today announced that President and CEO Daniele Zanotti will be stepping down from his role effective November 4, 2024, to assume the position of Ontario’s Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.
Daniele Zanotti has led UWGT since 2016, following his tenure as CEO of United Way York Region starting in 2007. Under his leadership, UWGT has become the largest United Way in the world, a testament to his vision and dedication to community building and social equity.
During his time at UWGT, Daniele has been a catalyst for transformative change, spearheading the merger of York, Peel, and Toronto United Ways to form the regional powerhouse it is today. His innovative approach to philanthropy and community development has seen the organization become the largest non-governmental funder of social services.
Zanotti’s tenure has been marked by a profound commitment to equity, particularly through the Reconciliation and Equity Action Plan. Under his leadership, 25% of all funded agencies are now led by and serve equity-deserving groups. He has also been a driving force behind securing game-changing partnerships in cross-sector collaboration, such as the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) and the Social Medicine Initiative, both of which have garnered global recognition.
Daniele’s leadership was instrumental in evolving UWGT’s funding strategies, resulting in 90% of funds becoming unrestricted, which allows for greater flexibility and impact. He has expanded the organization’s reach, recently breaking ground on two new community hubs in Thorncliffe and Bridletowne, bringing the total number of UWGT hubs to ten. UWGT’s success under Zanotti’s leadership is also reflected in the organization’s strong ties with the labor movement, business, government and our community which have been instrumental in ensuring that solutions are inclusive and fair.
“Daniele’s appointment is not only a significant personal achievement, but also a reflection of the impact he has made during his time with UWGT,” said Lisa Gonsalves, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His leadership has guided us through some of the most challenging times, and his commitment to equity and community building has left a lasting legacy. While we will miss his presence here, we are incredibly proud of his continued service to our community in this new role.”
United Way Greater Toronto is honoured to see Daniele’s appointment and views this as an endorsement of our collective work in the Greater Toronto Area.
The UWGT Board of Trustees will initiate a search for Zanotti’s successor in the coming weeks.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to:
Joshua McLarnon
Director of Communications,
United Way Greater Toronto
JMcLarnon@uwgt.org
(905)-952-7479
About United Way: As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way’s network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way’s work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges.