Jessie Thomson

Jessie Thomson joined Right To Play as the President and CEO in October 2025. She brings 20 years of experience spanning multiple sectors including the Canadian federal public service, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

She was most recently the Head of Delegation for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Türkiye. Prior to that role, she was the Head of Delegation for IFRC in Greece, and she has also held a variety of portfolios with CARE Canada, including as Vice President of Strategy, Vice President Global Programs, and Vice President of Partnerships. Jessie began her career with the Canadian federal public service, working at the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jessie has an undergraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Toronto and an MSc from the London School of Economics in International Development Studies. She is an active volunteer in her community, previously chairing the board of a local settlement organization and helping to establish a private refugee sponsorship group that welcomed Syrian refugees in Ottawa. She lives in Ottawa with her partner and two children.