FST chooses new leadership
April 16, 2019
A veteran civic leader of innovative approaches to social and community development across the City of Toronto will lead Family Service Toronto into the next decade.
“We are most pleased to inform you that Chris Brillinger has been chosen to be the next Executive Director of Family Service Toronto,” said Terrie Tucker, chair of FST’s board of directors. “With the support of search consultants at KCI Ketchum, the board conducted a thorough search and made a unanimous decision.”
Chris comes to FST after 31 years of exemplary leadership and dedication to Toronto public service as the city’s Executive Director of Social Development, Finance and Administration (SDFA).
He will take over from Margaret Hancock, who is “rewiring” and moving on to a new chapter after leading FST for 12 years. Margaret’s last day will be July 19 and Chris will start Aug. 6.
“I have always been driven by two key passions: a love of Toronto and a core belief in social justice/equity,” Chris said on his decision to join FST. “I believe these passions align with the core purpose of Family Service Toronto. Joining the FST team provides an opportunity to continue to contribute my skills and energies to both.”
Chris has been instrumental in leading the development and successful implementation of numerous important city building and social development initiatives including but not limited to: Tenants’ First (involving the transformation of Toronto Community Housing), TO Prosperity (City Council’s poverty reduction strategy), Social Procurement, Community Benefits, Seniors Strategy, Newcomer Strategy, Youth Equity Strategy, Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020, For Public Benefit (a framework for working with community-based not-for-profit organizations) and City Council’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan.
Chris is eager to return to the For Public Benefit sector to continue his work in social inclusion and social justice. An urban planner by training, he started his career in the non-profit sector working at Neighbourhood Information Post in the city’s east end joining the former Metro Toronto government in 1988 as a community development officer.
Through this work, Chris has shared an important history with FST as he was the grants officer involved in the merger of the Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians and Gays and FST that resulted in the David Kelley Services program.
Those who have had the great pleasure of working with Chris on several initiatives over the years know him to be compassionate and committed to excellence in service, innovative solutions, social justice and equity.
We look forward to welcoming him this summer.