Tree Canada Appoints Nicole Hurtubise as Chief Executive Officer

May 16, 2022 (Ottawa, ON) – Tree Canada’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Hurtubise as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, effective May 16, 2022.

With over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Ms. Hurtubise has applied her passion for poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and gender equality to produce meaningful change in Canada and internationally. Most recently as CEO of WaterAid Canada, she led that organization through transformational growth, broadening its geographic footprint and program impact, while fostering a high-performing and cohesive organizational culture. 

Ms. Hurtubise has worked, lived, or traveled in over 40 countries for organizations such as CARE, the Canadian Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme. In her roles as Country Director and Lead Evaluator, she led the management and evaluation of large, complex programs in Africa and Central Asia. In other executive roles, including with United Way Centraide Canada, she oversaw strategic change and organizational transformation with thought leadership, strategic acumen, and a commitment to excellence.

“The Board is happy to welcome Nicole at an exciting moment in Tree Canada’s history,” said Board Chair, Léo Duguay. “Our outgoing CEO, Danielle St-Aubin, has set the organization on a path for sustained growth and impact as we continue to improve lives and address climate change by planting and nurturing trees across Canada. Nicole’s experience and commitment to collaboration will help us to build strong relationships and expand our programs reach our goal of planting over one million trees in 2022 and beyond.”

Ms. Hurtubise has an Honours Degree in the Science of Languages, a Master’s Degree in Human Security and Peacebuilding, and has completed executive programs in non-profit and strategic change leadership, evaluation, and data management. She is fluently bilingual in English and French, and lives with her family west of Ottawa, where she loves to explore the local forest and fauna.

About Tree Canada

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. We help to grow Canada’s tree canopy through our programs, research, and engagement efforts and by offering grants to communities and schools. We are thought-leaders and capacity-builders, collaborating with a network of industry experts, academics, and other non-profits to deepen community knowledge and help municipalities plan and sustain local canopy.