Speakers 2014

WORLD VISION CANADA

Dave Toycen, President and CEO

As President and Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen heads Canada’s largest humanitarian relief, development and advocacy agency. In his 18 years as president, he has guided the organization into dramatic growth in its efforts to serve the world’s poor.

Prior to his appointment as president in 1996, Toycen was World Vision Canada’s executive vice-president, and vice-president of donor development for eight years. In his 26 years as a leader with the agency, income has increased, and the number of children sponsored through World Vision Canada in those years has risen.

Besides his commitment to World Vision’s overseas development and emergency relief activities, Toycen has championed the agency’s Canadian efforts, including ongoing work with church leaders and refugees.

In addition, he has led World Vision Canada into significant justice and advocacy work, in areas such as child and maternal health, the rights of girls, and the protection of children in armed conflict. He has spoken before the World Bank and has met with heads of state, key global executives and development leaders to discuss the well-being of the world’s children. His unique position as head of a faith-based agency has given him opportunities to encourage church leaders and congregations to serve and advocate for the poorest of the poor.

Toycen’s career with World Vision internationally has spanned more than 40 years, during which time his influence has been felt in every continent.

• Under his leadership, more than $4.0 billion has been raised in aid and development for the poor.
• He has provided on-site assessment and support during many large scale humanitarian disasters.
• He established World Vision communications offices in more than 20 developing countries.
• His influence helped pioneer World Vision’s move into television fundraising in Canada, Australia and the United States.

Toycen’s book, The Power of Generosity (Harper Collins, 2004), draws from his wide experience and calls readers to become more engaged in the world and to develop a more generous way of life.

An American/Canadian citizen, Toycen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lawrence University in Wisconsin, a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and honorary doctorates from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California and Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. He is a member of the Order of Ontario.