July 25, 2024                                                               

New President & CEO named for Hamilton Community Foundation

Rudi Wallace assumes role September 1, 2024

Hamilton – Hamilton Community Foundation today announced the appointment of Rudi Wallace as its new President & CEO, the fifth in its 70-year history. 

“Rudi is no stranger to the Foundation, having served as its Vice-President of Grants & Community Initiatives since 2020,” said board chair Cheryl Jensen. “We are thrilled that his new leadership role will deepen and expand the many initiatives and relationships he has already forged at HCF.  We conducted an extensive, national search drawing a number of outstanding candidates, and Rudi was the unanimous choice. He has clearly demonstrated a passion for this city and we are excited about what he brings to the role.” 

Rudi Wallace joined Hamilton Community Foundation in 2020, to spearhead its community leadership strategies, grant programs and partnerships. This includes the Foundation’s ongoing work to increase post-secondary access, educational equity and its response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and piloting new models of philanthropy. He has also played a significant role in its affordable housing work. Wallace joined HCF after five years with the Victoria Foundation, where he managed its granting programs and led numerous local charitable-business-local government collaborations to address a wide range of critical community issues. He previously held senior leadership positions in organizations addressing food security. 

“Hamilton Community Foundation has a long history of pushing beyond the status quo and making bold moves for community good,” said Wallace. “It has built a strong reputation for leadership, coalition building and effective innovation, and a culture that is community-driven, centered on trust, transparency, and accountability. Undertaking the role of President & CEO is a humbling and incredible privilege and I look forward to building on HCF’s legacy as a catalyst for positive, equitable change.”

Wallace will assume his new responsibilities September 1, on the retirement of current President & CEO Terry Cooke.

Rudi Wallace bio

In July 2024, Rudi Wallace was announced as the President & CEO of Hamilton Community Foundation after a decade of leadership experience in the non-profit sector.

Rudi joined Hamilton Community Foundation as Vice-President, Grants & Community Initiatives at Hamilton Community Foundation in 2020. In this role, Rudi has led Indigenous relationship-building and partnerships, including stewardship of HCF’s Declaration of Action on Truth and Reconciliation; developed the Foundation’s equity granting strategy and advanced HCF’s multi-faceted education initiatives. He has also had a lead role in a number of the Foundation’s affordable housing initiatives.

A native of Victoria, B.C., Rudi worked with the Victoria Foundation as Grants Manager, leading several portfolios including granting, Indigenous partnerships, food security, social purpose real estate and housing. Prior to working in community foundations, he served in senior leadership with The Mustard Seed food bank. In both Victoria and Hamilton, Rudi has demonstrated a deep commitment to community, both in his professional and volunteer roles which include serving on advisory groups, committees and boards with a focus on equity, justice and civic engagement.