TORONTO, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - Senator Hugh Segal, Chairman of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment, effective December 1, 2009, of Tom Axworthy as President and CEO of the Foundation.

"We are delighted to have the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation benefit from Dr. Axworthy's broad experience and remarkable intellectual entrepreneurship on vital issues like Arctic policy, democracy promotion world wide and the environment. His background in foundation leadership and innovation at the CRB and Historica Foundations underline his steady role as a builder, leader and strong motivator in areas vital to the mission and values of the Gordon Foundation," said Janice Stein, the Chair of the search committee and member of the Board of Trustees.

"Dr. Axworthy was helpful to the Foundation many years ago as it started up, and his leadership as our new President will be of immense value in the challenges and goals the Foundation has set for its future," added Hugh Segal, Foundation Chair.

Dr. Axworthy is the former head of the CRB and Historica Foundations, a former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Trudeau, a lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Chair of the Asia Pacific Foundation and Chair of the Advisory Task Force on Democracy Promotion to the present Minister of Democratic Reform, the Hon. Steven Fletcher. A graduate of both the University of Winnipeg and Queen's, Dr. Axworthy holds a doctorate in political studies, and is an officer of the Order of Canada. He is Executive Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at Queen's, whose board he will continue to chair on a non executive basis after December 1.

Foundation Trustees also wish to express their gratitude to James Stauch who has served as Acting President and CEO during the search period, and will do so until December 1. He has provided invaluable service to the Foundation, its grantees, staff and Board. We also welcome James in his new role with the Foundation as Vice President responsible for operations.

Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation: Established in 1965, we are a private charitable foundation dedicated to the development of sound and innovative public policies, founded on those values fundamental to Canadians, and designed to foster the continuing evolution of a dynamic and independent Canada. www.gordonfn.org.

-0- 11/12/2009 /For further information: Kalson Abdi, Grants and Information Manager, (416) 601-4776 ext. 229, kalson(at)gordonfn.org/ CO: Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation ST: Ontario IN: SU: NPT PER -30- CNW 12:32e 12-NOV-09