Gift from the Heart has set the path for new leadership.
The registered charitable initiative’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Kareen McKinnon as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026.
McKinnon has been serving as Deputy Executive Director since June 2025, where she has demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to advancing GFTH’s mission of providing access to compassionate, professional dental care for underserved individuals.
Throughout her time with the organization, GFTH board officials say McKinnon has shown herself to be a kind, compassionate, and dedicated leader whose approach inspires both her colleagues and the communities she serves.
“Her professionalism, empathy, and vision have made her an exceptional addition to the GFTH team, embodying the organization’s values of service, integrity, and heart,” they stated.
Kareen will succeed Bev Woods, Founder and current Executive Director of Gift from the Heart, who oversaw the growth of GFTH from a single volunteer initiative into a nationally recognized charitable organization delivering vital oral health services through its outreach programs and mobile dental clinic.
Beginning January 2026, Bev will transition into a volunteer role at the GFTH Outreach Clinic in Trenton, continuing her lifelong dedication to ensuring equitable access to dental care for all.
The Board extends its deepest gratitude to Bev for her extraordinary service, leadership, and legacy of compassion.
“Her vision has transformed lives and communities—one smile at a time,” the board stated.
