Make-A-Wish(R) Canada Welcomes Chris Kelly and Eileen Uyede to National Board of Directors

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 7, 2012) - Make-A-Wish Canada is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Chris Kelly, Vice President, Consumer Solutions & Brand Experience, Hallmark Canada, and Eileen Uyede, Principal, EU Consulting, to its National Board of Directors.

About Chris Kelly

"Chris has been a great supporter and advocate for Make-A-Wish Canada and the work that we are doing in the local community and across the country," said Janis Ostling, President, Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Canada. "We look forward to Chris' insight and brand expertise to help guide our strategic planning efforts."

"Through my role at Hallmark Canada, I have had the opportunity to see the true magic and power that a wish granted evokes in a child," said Chris Kelly. "The level of Hallmark employee engagement has been a true inspiration, and it's an honour to join Make-A-Wish's National Board and know that my efforts will support such a wonderful cause."

Chris is a member of Hallmark Canada's executive leadership team, as Vice President of Consumer Solutions and Brand Experience. Chris is also currently serving as an advisory board member for the Conference Board of Canada's Council for Client Relationships and Customer Experience. Before rejoining the Hallmark Canada team in 2000 (he was in a sales role from 1987-1996), Chris led national sales roles at Timberland and Champion Athletic Apparel.

Chris is currently enrolled in the director's college program through the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He and his wife Maureen have three children.

About Eileen Uyede

"Eileen has been a great supporter of our mission as a local volunteer, as well as through various Make-A-Wish committees and activities," said Ostling. "We are thrilled to welcome Eileen to the national board and to have her honed experience and perspective around strategic planning, financial oversight and broader initiatives."

"My privileged involvement with Make-A-Wish has progressed significantly over the past few years and my connection with the cause deepens more each year," said Eileen Uyede. "I look forward to the opportunities and successes that we will see as a national board in supporting the organization's mission to grant magical wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions."

Eileen is Principal at EU Consulting, where she conducts independent tax consulting for Canadian corporations; Canadian and non-resident individuals; personal trusts; and Canadian registered charities. Prior to pursuing her own independent tax consulting firm, Eileen served as a senior tax manager at both Ernst & Young Toronto and Smythe Ratcliffe Vancouver, and as a Tax Manager at Deloitte Vancouver.

Since 2009, Eileen has been involved with Make-A-Wish across many fronts. She is currently a member of Make-A-Wish Canada's Governance Taskforce, and Finance and Performance Assurance Committees. Eileen also served as Board Director and Treasurer of the Toronto and Central Ontario Make-A-Wish Chapter.

Eileen and her husband Richard live in Oakville, Ontario.

For a French version of this news release, please click here: www.faisunvoeu.ca.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Canada

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Canada living with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, seven independent regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast. Make-A-Wish® Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish^® International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 280,000 children since 1980. To learn more please visit www.makeawish.ca.