United Way Greater Toronto President & CEO Heather McDonald shares her journey, 10-year strategic plan and how to build positive impact.
Heather McDonald grew up in a family where giving back was really valued. Her parents instilled in her the belief that she could do anything she set out to achieve.
These values and wisdom translated into success as she moved from one opportunity to another and became the president & CEO of United Way Greater Toronto.
“The thing that has got me most excited about United Way is the opportunity to galvanize multiple amazing partners to make big things happen,” says McDonald.
As an organization, United Way Greater Toronto is the greatest funder outside of government, working to make big changes possible since 1956. With a presence in York, Peel and Toronto, they partner with donors, community agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and government partners to create solutions for the major challenges faced by the community. With the funds raised last year, United Way impacted 1.8 million people across the GTA.
Following the previous year’s success, the organization targeted youth unemployment, and, with the support of community agencies, they created 2,000+ jobs in the summer of 2026. As McDonald shares, “A job means purpose, money in the pocket, but it also sets a good foundation for family and community.”
McDonald, referring to the organization’s 10-year strategic plan, explains why as much as a decade might be needed for some big investments to have their intended impact.
“Focusing the effort on the right localized place,” the aim is to fundraise $1.5 billion in 10 years. For them, there is no other way than to be ambitious and raise this money.
McDonald notes that leaders who work for social purpose need both business acumen to think entrepreneurially and a heart to understand community needs. At the same time, she believes in the power of humility and collaborative effort to keep learning and evolving. It’s not about advancing your career but advancing your learning, says McDonald.
Every effort to build change has a compounding effect, she says, and GTA residents can have a role in bringing positive change just by contributing their understanding of what needs to change.
McDonald adds, “When you involve yourself in social change, you are giving in two ways: You are giving to the community, but you are getting something back in the form of connection to community. That can be through family, someone on your street, workplace or through the United Way.”
