Jessica Aldred has been hired as the new CEO of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

Aldred is replacing Don Gowan who resigned from the position in June. Among her first duties will be to hire a new fund development officer to bring the foundation back to a full staff complement of four. She'll also lead the launch of the organization's next capital campaign and chair the Festival of the Trees.

"I think she'll bring a great character, great personality and a number of years of experience in fundraising," foundation chairman Darren Masse said.

For the past seven years Aldred has been the executive director of the fundraising foundation at

Capilano University in North Vancouver. She has 13 years of experience working in the non-profit sector and Masse doesn't expect she'll have too much trouble adjusting to the health field.

"We looked at that a little bit, but we felt raising funds for healthcare if anything may be easier," he said. "Healthcare is needed in the north and everywhere and people seem to get behind healthcare."

Aldred is originally from Ontario, but has lived in B.C. for almost a decade. She starts her new job on Oct. 9.