The Board of Directors of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) is pleased to announce the appointment of international development and humanitarian leader Caitlin Goggin as Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive and competitive search. Caitlin will commence her role on January 5, 2026.
“Caitlin’s strategic, partnership-driven approach will amplify CanWaCH’s role as a trusted convener among members, government, researchers and funders,” said Onome Ako, Chair of the CanWaCH Board of Directors. “Her deep experience in development and humanitarian settings positions our coalition to deliver even stronger results for women, children and adolescents in Canada and around the world.”
A proud Maritimer raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Caitlin brings 20 years of experience in international development and humanitarian response across Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. She currently serves as CARE’s Country Director in Jordan, leading organizational transformation and partnerships in a complex regional context.
From 2021 to 2024, she was CARE’s Country Director in Ethiopia, CARE’s largest global operation, overseeing a team of 1,500 during the pandemic and conflict response. Earlier, she led CARE’s program team in Ethiopia as Deputy Country Director and directed a Global Affairs Canada-funded maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition initiative (GROW). Early in her career, Caitlin worked with UNICEF in Kazakhstan. She has also held leadership roles with Marie Stopes International in Malawi, and Boston University’s Zambia Center for Applied Health Research and Development.
“CanWaCH’s member-led coalition is its greatest strength, translating Canadian expertise into practical solutions — much of which I have had the privilege to witness firsthand in many contexts around the world,” said Caitlin Goggin. “In a challenging global environment, continuing to champion the protection and advancement of the health and rights of women and children is essential to achieving equitable and sustainable progress; CanWaCH’s mission has never been more vital. I look forward to listening, convening and working with our members to maintain Canada’s commitment to the evidence-based, collaborative leadership which delivers impact and change at home and globally.”
Caitlin holds a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Carleton University, as well as a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.
The Board thanks Charmaine Crockett, who has been serving as Interim CEO since May 2025. Charmaine will support Caitlin’s transition in January to ensure continuity for members, partners and staff before resuming her role as Director of Strategic Initiatives.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
About CanWaCH
The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) is a proud coalition of more than 100 Canadian organizations committed to improving the health and rights of women, children and adolescents globally. As a trusted convener, CanWaCH connects the people, evidence and partnerships needed to tackle complex health and equality challenges that no single organization could solve alone. Our network spans continents and disciplines — from humanitarian response to women’s health research — and continues to grow through our roles as host of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises (IAWG) and coordinating centre for the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition. Together, these communities form a powerful collective that strengthens Canada’s leadership and impact in advancing health and rights worldwide.
