Community Chapel - Dave Toycen

As president and chief executive officer of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen heads the country's largest humanitarian relief and development agency.

In his 25 years as a leader with World Vision Canada—17 as president—donations have increased almost tenfold to more than $415 million annually. The number of children sponsored through World Vision Canada has also risen, to more than 500,000.

Toycen has led the agency into significant advocacy and public policy work, with an emphasis on issues that affect children. 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.

Toycen's career with World Vision internationally has spanned more than 40 years. His recent book, The Power of Generosity (Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, 2004), draws from his experiences and calls readers to become more engaged in the world and to develop a more generous way of life.

A Canadian citizen, Toycen holds degrees in philosophy and divinity and has received three honorary doctorates—from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California and Wycliffe College in Toronto.