Michael Messenger

Michael Messenger has a diverse work experience, starting with their role as a Lawyer (Partner) at Cox & Palmer, where they focused on medical defense, insurance, and commercial litigation. Michael also served as the Chief Commission Counsel for the Nunn Commission of Inquiry into youth criminal justice issues in Nova Scotia.

In 1990, Michael joined World Vision Canada as a Public Policy Officer, advocating for the well-being of vulnerable children and families globally. Michael later became the Vice President of Public Affairs and then the Executive Vice President/COO, overseeing strategic operations and fundraising in the developing world.

Since 2015, Michael has been the President & CEO of World Vision Canada, leading one of the country's largest and most successful charities. Under their leadership, the organization has received awards for financial transparency reporting and has been recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures.

Michael Messenger has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Gordon College, obtained in 1990. Michael then pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in Law from the University of Toronto, which they completed in 1998. Subsequently, in 1999, they obtained the certification of "Called to the Bar" from the NS Barristers' S​ociety. In 2008 and 2009, they earned a Certificate in Leadership from Arrow Executive Leadership. In 2010, they completed an Intensive French Immersion program at Collège de Jonquière, Center Linguistique. In 2011, they gained expertise in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management through a program titled "Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management" from Harvard Business School. More recently, they received a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with Distinction from Ivey Business School at Western University in 2021. Additionally, they hold a certificate in Digital Business Strategy from MIT Sloan School of Management, earned in 2021. Lastly, they are currently pursuing a Certificate in Sustainability Leadership: Innovation for Growth from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management, with an expected completion date in 2023.