We mourn the loss of a community leader, but more importantly, celebrate the former President and CEO Barbara McInnes. She led the foundation for close to three decades, tireless in her devotion to make Ottawa the best it could be.
The passing of our former long-time President and CEO Barbara McInnes has left us bereft, whether we are staff, board members, donors, or the many others she touched over decades spent building and leading the Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF). The outpouring of grief and the tributes that have flowed since we first heard the news last week are a testament to Barb’s contribution to Ottawa and beyond.
For our part, we have been going through moments of disbelief, fighting back tears, and reflecting on the memories of an extraordinary leader, colleague, and friend. We needed to take some time to properly communicate how we feel.
As many of you know, Barb was there when her father Alastair Gamble, and Gordon Henderson created Ottawa’s community foundation in 1987. She then guided the organization for 27 years, building it as a leader among Canada’s 191 community foundations.
“The board and staff at the Ottawa Community Foundation are deeply saddened by the passing of our former President and CEO,” says Carol Devenny, Chair of the OCF Board. “Barbara left a legacy of compassion and commitment that we can all learn from. She will be truly missed.”
A lifelong commitment to community
Barb might have been a petite dynamo with her signature shoulder-length silver hair, but she was never short of vision and leadership. While the Ottawa Community Foundation was a central part of her legacy, she also served as a founding director of Community Foundations of Canada for 12 years. Her international interests include extensive work with the US-based Council on Foundations with memberships on their Leadership and Strategic Planning Committees, as well as the Trans-Atlantic Community Foundation Network. Because of the breadth and depth of work at all levels, Barb was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2010.
“I have always felt fortunate to be handed the torch Barb carried for decades and have committed to following her city building mission in the context of current realities,” says Marco Pagani. “No words can express the sense of loss we all feel.”
Bibi Patel, outgoing Vice-President and a 20-year veteran of the OCF was hired by and worked closely with Barbara for many years.
“Barb launched many novice donors on their philanthropic paths; coached and mentored a generation of community leaders; supported countless organizations and represented Ottawa and Canada on national and international stages,” recalls Bibi.
“No one could conduct the art of the philanthropic conversation like Barb – I learned from her, and it carried me through to the very end of my career at the Foundation. As staff, we all looked forward to our annual early spring lunch in her garden as we finally had time to catch our breaths after an intense first half of the year. For me, an enduring memory will be of Barb often dancing down the hallways of our office with joy and abandon.”
Honouring Barb’s memory
On behalf of everyone at the Ottawa Community Foundation, we offer our deepest condolences to Barbara’s family. Our thoughts are with you today, and in the days ahead.
Please join us in taking a moment to remember Barb, a wonderful soul who affirms for us the goodness in humanity.
In fulfilling Barbara’s wishes, we hope you consider a donation in her memory to the newly established Barbara McInnes Executive Mentoring Project Fund. Details and a donation link can be found here.