June 06,  2017 – Toronto, ON The Board of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA is pleased to announce that Leslie Gales assumed the role of  Chair of the board at Annual General Meeting in Montreal on June 4^th, succeeding Julia Berger Reitman.

“As chair of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA, I am looking forward to working in partnership with Canadian Federations and communities and international partner agencies. Together we will continue to plan for the future as we explore the opportunities and challenges impacting the Canadian Jewish community and the Jewish people in these complex times.”

Leslie Gales is President and Chief Investment Officer of the Midland Group of Companies. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she lives in Toronto and has worked in the areas of investment banking, finance and marketing research since 1980. Gales is a committed community volunteer and currently holds positions with the AGO Foundation, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, OCADU and Israel Museum. She was a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient (2012), named by WXN 100 Most Powerful Women (2011), received the Harold Lederman Award (UJA 2015) and most recently the Golda Meir Leadership Award (2017).  

“Leslie Gales is a very experienced lay leader with vast knowledge of the federation system. I look forward to working with her and strengthening our national community and its impact in Israel," said Linda Kislowicz, JFC-UIA President and CEO.

Leslie Gales will serve as chair of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA for two years. 

-30-

About Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA (JFC-UIA): JFC-UIA strengthens Jewish life in Canada, Israel and overseas in partnership with Jewish Federations and communities across Canada. It represents 10 Canadian Federations and four regional councils, each of which raises and distributes funds annually for community development, social welfare and educational needs locally, nationally, in Israel and overseas. Learn more at www.jewishcanada.org.