The EVPA Board has announced the appointment of Leslie Johnston, CEO of Laudes Foundation and EVPA Board member, as the Chair-Elect of EVPA. She will be appointed subject to the Annual General Meeting's re-appointment of board members and the board meeting happening in June.

Leslie Johnston launched Laudes Foundation in January 2020. She is the first Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, having 20 years of experience in business management and philanthropy.

She worked as the first Executive director of the C&A Foundation, where she led the development of strategies. She also serves on the boards of fashion for good, the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, and Built by Nature.

Steven Serneels, outgoing Chair of EVPA, said: “I am delighted to hand over the baton to Leslie Johnston. Her vision and experience will enable us to continue EVPA growth and bring the investing for the impact community to the next level. In the current context, social innovators are more sorely needed than ever, and EVPA is uniquely positioned to be an impact catalyst and convener across sectors and themes. I am confident Leslie will bring the needed leadership to enable EVPA to further build the impact ecosystem so that we can achieve lasting change for people and the planet.”