Rachael Wilson leaving Ottawa Food Bank to go to United Way

Wilson served as food bank director of communications and development from 2016 to 2021, then became CEO, making her the first and only woman to lead the organization in that capacity. In the food bank’s post, chair Trevor Whike said the board of directors had appointed Natalie Spooner, currently director of programs and planning, as interim CEO while it conducted a formal search for a permanent candidate. Dennise Taylor-Gilhen has served as United Way East Ontario’s interim president and CEO since June 2024, when the organization parted ways with longtime chief executive Michael Allen. The online post said Taylor-Gilhen would move into “an advisory role, supporting several strategic initiatives.” In early 2025, the United Way’s board engaged an executive recruitment firm for a cross-Canada search for a new president and CEO.

Wilson served as food bank director of communications and development from 2016 to 2021, then became CEO, making her the first and only woman to lead the organization in that capacity.

In the food bank’s post, chair Trevor Whike said the board of directors had appointed Natalie Spooner, currently director of programs and planning, as interim CEO while it conducted a formal search for a permanent candidate.

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen has served as United Way East Ontario’s interim president and CEO since June 2024, when the organization parted ways with longtime chief executive Michael Allen. The online post said Taylor-Gilhen would move into “an advisory role, supporting several strategic initiatives.”

In early 2025, the United Way’s board engaged an executive recruitment firm for a cross-Canada search for a new president and CEO.