Dennise Taylor-Gilhen
Interim President and CEO
Dennise Taylor-Gilhen is the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way East Ontario, where she oversees the development and execution of all strategies that support community wellbeing, resource development, and strong partner and community relations.
Dennise joined United Way in 2015 as Senior Director of Community Initiatives, where she played a key role in collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that United Way’s efforts were aligned with community needs, maximizing the impact of the organization’s work across the region. In 2016, she stepped into the role of Vice President, Community Impact. Her extensive knowledge of the organization, combined with her experience in the community and social service sectors, led to her appointment as Interim President and CEO in 2024.
In her current role, Dennise is focused on advancing United Way’s mission by strengthening collaborations to tackle tough, complex social issues. She also works with United Ways across Canada to align advocacy efforts and address national challenges.
Dennise holds a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa, along with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Saskatchewan. In 2018, she became the first Canadian to graduate from United Way Worldwide’s Advanced Leadership Program.
Dennise has worked in the field of community services for over 40 years, which has included time as a career and employment counselor, helping individuals navigate their professional paths. Throughout her career, Dennise has remained passionate about inspiring others to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
For Dennise, what keeps her with United Way is the organization’s ability to unite communities to address the most pressing social issues, with a particular emphasis on prevention. Her approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and evidence-based, and she prioritizes the engagement of both corporate and community partners to drive lasting change.
