Oct. 14, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST) is pleased to welcome Sandra Bickford, who will join the organization on a one-year assignment as Chief Administrative Officer, effective October 13, 2026. Sandra will join the CAST Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team and will oversee Finance, Enterprise Risk Management, Information Technology, Property and work alongside our Board of Directors.
Sandra brings more than 25 years of public service experience and an extensive understanding of Ontario’s child welfare system. She joins CAST from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Child Welfare and Protection Division (CWPD), where she has spent the past eight years advancing key child welfare priorities.
Throughout her career, Sandra has held leadership positions across government, including with the Ministries of Education, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and MCCSS.
Her work within the child welfare sector has included supporting Indigenous communities through the designation of three Indigenous child and family well-being agencies, leading the development of Ready, Set, Go, advancing the Quality Service Framework, and establishing the Provincial Oversight and Monitoring Framework.
Sandra has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to working alongside communities and service providers to strengthen the systems that support children, youth, and families.
“I am delighted to welcome Sandra to CAST in the role of CAO,” said Lisa Tomlinson, Chief Executive Officer. “Sandra’s extensive leadership experience, knowledge of Ontario’s child welfare sector and commitment to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we continue to strengthen our services and advance our strategic priorities.”
We would like to thank the MCCSS Deputy Minister, Daniele Zanotti, and Assistant Deputy Minister, Linda Chihab, for supporting this partnership.
