Changes at Air Canada Foundation as Louise-Hélène Sénécal to Take Helm

Priscille Leblanc, who has held the position of Chair of the Air Canada Foundation since its inception in 2012, is moving into retirement and Louise-Hélène Sénécal, who recently retired from AC as VP and General Counsel, will be the new Chair of the charitable organization. 

“I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Priscille for her years of dedicated leadership as Chair of the Foundation. Her vision, steadiness, and unwavering commitment have shaped our work and strengthened the Foundation’s impact in lasting ways, and I want to thank her for everything she has built and inspired,” said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau. 

“We are equally delighted to continue to work with Louise-Hélène in her new role as the Foundation’s Chair. Her experience, passion, and forward-looking perspective will guide the Foundation into its next chapter with confidence and purpose.”

There are other changes to the foundation’s leadership:

“Additionally, we thank Panagiota ‘Peggy’ Zafiris, who has also elected to retire after serving as a Foundation Board member for many years,” said Rousseau. “Peggy’s ongoing generous support of the mission of the Air Canada Foundation in improving the health and well-being of children and youth in Canada is very much appreciated, and we wish her the best in her retirement.”

The Air Canada Foundation Board is also welcoming Maria Kuchel (Secretary) and Marcel Forget as new Board Members. They join current Air Canada Foundation Board members Amos Kazzaz (Treasurer), Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Lucie Guillemette and Carolyn Hadrovic.

2026 Annual Grant Recipients to be Announced

For 2026, the Board has approved 38 registered charities and organizations across Canada to receive an Air Canada Foundation grant. They were selected from among hundreds of applications. 

Established in 2012, the Air Canada Foundation was created to support children and youth, humanitarian relief and health focused causes, extending the commitment of Air Canada employees, partners, customers and stakeholders. 

Over 13 years, the Air Canada Foundation has raised more than $20 million to support access to medical care, reduce social and economic barriers and create opportunities for moments of joy and possibility.

In 2025, the Air Canada Foundation:

• Donated nearly $1.8 million.
• Raised $2.1 million, including $1.3 million during its annual golf tournament.
• Provided 2,089 airline tickets to support fundraising efforts and charitable programs.
• Worked with 473 charitable partners.
• Donated 35,050,000 Aeroplan points to support 14 partners including 12 paediatric hospitals.
• Realized 1,113 dreams through eight special Dreams Take Flight charters from coast to coast.
• Supported 550,193 meal deliveries.