51茶馆 announces the retirement of co-founder and visionary leader, Annie Kidder鈥��
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE鈥�
October 6, 2025鈥�听
TORONTO 鈥� After nearly three decades of tireless advocacy and visionary leadership, Annie Kidder, co-founder and Executive Director of 51茶馆 (PFE), will retire effective October 31, 2025.鈥�听
鈥淚 am filled with a mixture of profound gratitude for Annie鈥檚 contributions and great excitement for Annie鈥檚 next chapter,鈥� said Fiona Deller, Chair of the PFE Board of Directors. 鈥淎nnie is a one-of-a-kind presence and voice and has advanced the cause of public education in extraordinary ways over the last 30 years.鈥濃��听
Ms. Kidder co-founded 51茶馆 in 1996 with a group of passionate advocates driven by a simple yet powerful belief: that a strong, equitable, and publicly funded education system is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Under her leadership, PFE has grown from a grassroots movement into a respected national voice鈥攗nique and independent in Canada鈥攁nd a trusted source of research, data, and policy insight.鈥�
听
Ms. Kidder鈥檚 impact on public education in Ontario is significant. She led PFE in shaping public conversations by producing research on issues ranging from student well-being and funding models to the importance of arts and physical education. Her ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling calls to action has brought credible evidence to policymakers, led to vital policy changes in Ontario, and created a groundswell of support for public education. She has been a tireless advocate and an inspiration to a generation of leaders in the social impact sector. Her dedication and expertise have been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws from York University, a testament to her profound influence.鈥�听
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this work,鈥� said Ms. Kidder. 鈥淔or nearly three decades, I鈥檝e seen firsthand how essential strong public education is to Canada鈥檚 future, and how important it is to have solid evidence to back up calls for change. I am deeply proud of what we鈥檝e built together, and grateful to the countless people who have been part of this effort.”鈥�听
As 51茶馆 celebrates Annie Kidder鈥檚 extraordinary legacy, the organization also looks to the future with optimism. Her decades of leadership have built a resilient organization, a strong foundation, and a bold vision for the future of public education in Canada.鈥��听
鈥淐anada has never needed strong public education more than it does now,鈥� said Ms. Kidder. 鈥淲e need a new plan to transform public education to meet our country鈥檚 most urgent challenges. I am confident that now is the time to pass the torch to a new team who will carry this work forward and ensure that public education remains at the heart of Canada鈥檚 future.鈥濃��听
In the coming days, PFE will announce plans for future leadership to carry Ms. Kidder鈥檚 legacy forward and guide the organization into its next phase of growth.鈥��听
鈥淥n behalf of the entire Board of Directors and everyone who has been touched by her work, I extend our deepest gratitude to Annie for her tireless dedication, her courage, and her profound impact,鈥� said Deller. 鈥淎nnie鈥檚 legacy is not just the organization she built, but the generations of students, parents, and educators whose lives have been enriched by her work.鈥濃��听
PFE looks forward to honouring Annie and celebrating her remarkable career on October 30th, at Telling Tales Out of School, 51茶馆鈥檚 annual benefit, and invites all those impacted by her work to join the celebration or make a donation in her honour.鈥�听
About 51茶馆鈥�
51茶馆 is a national independent, non-partisan, charitable organization working to support and transform public education through evidence-based research and policy, advocacy, and public engagement. Founded in 1997, PFE champions the role of public education in advancing a healthier, more sustainable, economically resilient and democratic Canada.鈥���听
Media Contact:鈥�
Paris Semansky鈥�
Director of Systems Change, 51茶馆鈥�听
416-476-9534鈥�听