Thank You, Saifa. Welcome, Claudia.

After three decades of tirelessly serving children and families in our community, Saifa Koonar will be retiring as President and CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation in August.

From rallying the community to fund the “old” hospital’s very first CT and MRI scanners to her leadership in campaigns to build the “new” hospital, launch the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, open Alberta’s first hospice for kids, and create one of Canada’s most research-intensive, community-based mental health centres for young people, Saifa has been instrumental in catalyzing incredible advancements in care and research for children and families.

“I am so grateful that countless children are living lives that were simply unimaginable in my first years with the Foundation,” says Saifa. “Children with cancer are receiving chemotherapy in their living rooms. Kids unable to move or speak on their own can express themselves through artwork using their minds and donor-funded technologies. Parents are bringing their children home just days after brain surgery. All thanks to this spectacularly kind and generous community.

“I’ve felt inspired every day getting to know so many courageous children and families, brilliant specialists and researchers, compassionate partners in child health, and, of course, our wonderful supporters from every walk of life who all want kids to grow up healthy and happy. What an honour being part of an organization that brings out the very best in people.”

“Saifa has made an exceptional impact on child health in our community and beyond,” says Mike Begin, Chair of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Board. “Her exemplary leadership over the past 30 years has truly helped transform the care, science, and the futures children and their families can now enjoy.”

To help build on that legacy, the Board has recruited Dr. Claudia Hudspeth as ACHF’s next President and CEO, beginning August 4, 2026. Claudia has more than 25 years of global health experience, with work spanning more than 40 countries. She has led major public health programs with UNICEF and the Aga Khan Foundation and provided technical guidance to clients at McKinsey & Company to help solve complex public health challenges. A medical doctor and public health expert, she has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes, especially for children and families. With her experience in strategy development, fundraising, and organization-wide capacity building, Claudia has mobilized governments, international donors, multi-sectoral partners, and diverse teams of experts. Calgary has been home base for Claudia for more than a decade, so she is very excited that her global expertise will soon benefit children and families in her own community.

“Claudia has seen the tremendous advances made possible through our hospital, the Foundation, and partnerships with the University of Calgary, the Province, and our generous supporters,” adds Saifa. “She’s an exceptional individual, eager to further build on the remarkable achievements that have been created together. I am very excited for her and everyone in our community who cares deeply about child health, knowing that so much more life-saving, life-changing innovation lies ahead.”