Major changes at Asper Foundation

December 5, 2022 – With the planned upcoming retirement of Moe Levy, The Asper Foundation is pleased to announce that Anita Wortzman has been appointed President, effective immediately. The appointment consolidates the two former positions of President and Executive Director, and Anita will report to the Board of Trustees.
Effective Jan 1, 2023, Gail Asper will move to Chair of The Asper Foundation as Leonard Asper completes his term of office and resumes regular ongoing duties as a Trustee. Moe Levy will continue in his role as Executive Director until the end of February and remain as necessary to support a smooth transition.
Anita has a successful history of leadership in law, business and community service (and we welcome her to The Asper Foundation.
Anita Wortzman graduated with her Bachelor of Commerce degree and Law degree from University of Manitoba. Anita practiced law for 9 years specializing in tax and mergers and acquisitions. She then worked in various high growth businesses including Assante Corporation, Activa Consumer Promotions, Acumen Corporate Development and Farmers Edge. Previously, Anita chaired the Gray Academy Board of Jewish Education and was President of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. Currently, Anita sits on the Boards of Business Council of Manitoba and Nature Conservancy of Canada (Manitoba Region) and co-chairs Lions of Judah (Jewish Federation of Winnipeg) with her two daughters.
“As we welcome Anita, I can not stress enough the important executive role Gail has played in all of our success as an institution” said Leonard Asper, Chair of The Asper Foundation. “As incoming Chair, Gail will play an ongoing crucial part in the evolution of the legacy of our parents, Babs and Israel. The many incredible projects of The Asper Foundation that Moe and the organization have achieved have come about because of her direct involvement and we look forward to having Gail’s leadership remain an important part of our future success and impact in our community.”
Gail Asper added: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Anita, someone I have known for many years and a respected business and community leader, to The Asper Foundation. I know she will be a wonderful steward of the many programs and projects we have supported and developed since our inception, and we look forward to the new and exciting contributions Anita will be making as we mark the 40th anniversary of the Foundation in 2023.”
“I also want to acknowledge the truly remarkable impact Moe’s leadership of the Foundation has had on Winnipeg, Canada and Israel especially with the creation of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and dozens of other transformative gifts and projects that he has led. Moe was hired by my late father to fulfill his philanthropic vision and we thank him for his dedication and inspiration over these past 23 years. We know that Moe will continue to be an important supporter in the future.”
“I am excited to work with the amazing team at The Asper Foundation and the communities that The Asper Foundation serves to continue to make an impact for future generations,” said Anita Wortzman. ”I welcome the opportunity to be a part of an organization that is so dedicated to making a difference.”
The Asper Foundation is a Winnipeg-based philanthropic organization established in 1983 that develops major projects and provides general support to the Jewish Community while also supporting the broader community in areas of culture, education, community development, and human rights on a local, national and international scale.