December 13, 2024
Dr. Christopher Smith will become Executive Director of the Foundation on July 1, 2026, following the retirement of Bob Wyatt.
Dr. Smith joined the Foundation in 2001 as grants manager, and was subsequently named Assistant Executive Director and, most recently, Associate Executive Director.
Bryan McLean, President of the Foundation, said that the Board of Directors was unanimous in its decision to promote Dr. Smith to the top staff position. “Throughout his time with us, he has demonstrated superior leadership abilities, internally and on various committees and boards on which he has served. He has positioned the Foundation as a leader in work to create high-quality nonprofit and publicly delivered early learning and child care, and to working with various stakeholders to ensure the policy environment that will make that possible.”
Mr. McLean said the Directors of the Foundation were grateful that Mr. Wyatt provided a significant amount of notice of his decision to retire. This will allow a gradual transition and provide Dr. Smith with the time and opportunity to begin his plans for the Foundation’s future work.
Bob Wyatt was elected a Director of the Foundation in 1986 and became Executive Director in 1989. “For more than three and a half decades, Bob has worked tirelessly to ensure the Foundation’s resources were used in ways that made significant differences. Because of his work, and that of the team surrounding him, The Muttart Foundation has become recognized as a leader in a number of areas, including early learning and child care and charity regulation,” Mr. McLean said.
The Board of Directors will acknowledge Mr. Wyatt’s work at an event to be held closer to his retirement date.