For a seasoned pro like John Ouellette, becoming vice president of strategic philanthropy at Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation is a professional homecoming, reconnecting him with trusted colleagues, volunteers and donors he’s worked with throughout his charitable career.
He officially began Monday, accepting the role following a series of discussions with QCH Foundation president and CEO Shannon Gorman, and recognizing an opportunity to help improve health care in Ottawa, a community he has proudly called home for decades.
“I get to start the year with a fresh spring in my step,” Ouellette said, adding that he feels “very, very fortunate” to be the newest member of the foundation’s leadership team.
Much of Ouellette’s passion for charitable work comes from seeing the impact colleagues, volunteers and donors have on Ottawa. “Most of the people I’ve had the privilege of working with are spending their days trying to make the lives of others better,” he said.
Ouellette previously served six years as executive director of strategic philanthropy at his alma mater, the University of Ottawa, where he also worked during the first 11 of his nearly 34-year fundraising career. He’s been notably loyal to both uOttawa and The Ottawa Cancer Foundation (formerly The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation), where he spent 14 years.
“Moving to Queensway Carleton is a big step for me because in our line of work, trust is everything, and it takes time to build those bonds with donors planning their philanthropic legacy,” he explained.
Gorman and Ouellette had previously worked together at the cancer foundation, where their mentors included the late Rabbi Reuven Bulka, a beloved Ottawa spiritual and community leader.
“Working with John again has always been a dream of mine,” Gorman said. “He brings unmatched professionalism, a stellar reputation in the community and, most importantly, a genuine commitment to our donors.”
She added that Ouellette’s passion for connecting people with the health-care causes that matter most to them is particularly inspiring. “I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s joining our leadership team,” she said.
Ouellette is also reconnecting with former cancer foundation colleague Shannon Bain, vice president of marketing and communications, and corporate and community development at QCH Foundation.
He praised the strength of the leadership team, which includes Gorman, Bain and Nadine Fowler, vice president of philanthropy. “They have a collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Ouellette, adding that those qualities were key to him joining QCH Foundation.
From his cancer foundation days, Ouellette also forged relationships with former QCH Foundation board chairs Fred Seller, a partner at Brazeau Seller Law, and Karen Sparks, executive director of Wesley Clover Parks.
He is similarly connected to such celebrated philanthropists and volunteer fundraisers as retired technology executive Peter Charbonneau and Dan Greenberg, president of Ferguslea Properties, which owns Accora Village. Greenberg led QCH Foundation’s largest campaign to date and, together with his wife Barbara Crook, was a driving force behind the hospital’s new mental health centre, which now bears their names.
“I’m really lucky because at the cancer foundation I got to work with some amazing people, and it feels a bit like I’m coming home,” said Ouellette of the familiar faces he’s partnering with again. “When you spend time with people who you really like and enjoy, it makes everything more rewarding.”
A proud Franco-Ontarian, Ouellette grew up in Kapuskasing, a northern town once known for its logging and papermill. He moved to Ottawa in the late 1980s to study at uOttawa and has been rooted here ever since. He and his wife, Rachel Amyotte, have three daughters.
“Hopefully, I can play a small role in improving people’s lives locally. ‘Changing lives, saving lives’ — that’s what Queensway Carleton does,” said Ouellette, referring to the hospital’s mission to provide outstanding care to its patients.
QCH serves almost 500,000 people per year — roughly half of the population of the City of Ottawa. With Ottawa’s west end growing rapidly, QCH now regularly operates beyond capacity. The emergency department, one of the busiest in Ontario, handles more than 80,000 visits annually, with that number expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years.
The hospital is now entering the most ambitious phase in its history. It has submitted plans to the provincial government for a major expansion that will more than double the size of its emergency department and add inpatient beds, along with addressing other top priorities of the hospital.
Ouellette said he was also drawn to QCH for its solid reputation for providing outstanding patient care, as well as its commitment to innovation. “This hospital is so beloved and important to the community,” he stressed.
Even the commute from his east-end home in Orléans can’t dampen his enthusiasm. “It’ll be worth it,” he said with a smile.
This story was written by Caroline Phillips and originally published on Caroline in the Capital. Our thanks to Caroline Phillips for her continued coverage and support.
