A woman with curly hair, wearing black glasses, smiling broadly, wearing earrings, a black blazer over a white shirt, and a necklace, against a plain white background.

Meet Kelly Gilson

Woodstock has been a wonderful place to raise our sons, Connor and Cooper (who are also wonderful!), surrounded by supportive neighbours, caring school environments, great friends and plenty of opportunities that helped them grow and thrive. We are well-rooted here and it is heartwarming to see the lasting connections that happen when families have that sense of belonging. I want all families to experience that.

Community involvement is key to a healthy society and has always been central to our family. From the moment we arrived, I became an active volunteer on committees, boards, school councils, community events, and charitable initiatives; from my 8 years on the Woodstock Chamber Board to 13 years on the Santa Claus Parade Committee, and everything in between, I have enjoyed it all. Jeff has coached local sports – hockey, soccer, baseball, and now curling - for decades. We’re delighted that both Connor and Cooper continue to volunteer as well. 

After 12 fantastic years with Downtown Woodstock, I joined United Way Oxford - and immediately knew I had found where I belonged. For 23 years, I have worked alongside partners, agencies, and volunteers to identify community needs, invest in vital social services, and measure meaningful impact that inspires participation and donor support. It has truly been a labour of love, grounded in the belief that strong communities are built through understanding, collaboration, compassion, and shared purpose. There are so many accomplishments and initiatives that I am proud to have been a part of; at the top of the list are the Tillsonburg and Ingersoll Light Houses. They were inspiring from the initial creation and neighbourhood support to implementing and operating the transitional housing program. A clear vision, a solid plan, a strong partner and supportive volunteers and donors can truly make magic happen and change lives! 

Outside of work, I’m happiest when I’m creating or attempting to organize something creative (healthy hoarding of craft stashes is a thing - really). I love quilting modern pieces that feel like a hug when gifted. I also enjoy reading almost anything, cooking, binge-watching a good series, paper crafting, travelling, relaxing with family and friends, and spoiling our two mini-golden doodles, Clancy and Culley. 

I am a Maritimer who was raised to value family, community, authenticity, and giving back. As an adult, I’ve been fortunate to live in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, England, and Ontario, which planted an interest in the cultures and unique characteristics that make each community special. I’ve always had a natural ability to connect with people, to listen to their stories, and to learn from their perspectives. I feel blessed to have spent my career doing work that I love alongside amazing volunteers with the shared goal of improving local lives. It was an unexpected honour – and truly humbling - to have received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 in recognition of my contributions to our community.

As I move into my next chapter of retirement in September, my commitment to Woodstock remains unchanged - I will continue to use my voice to advocate for the benefit of this community and my skills and experience to support those who call it home.

Check out Kelly's resume
Four people and two dogs sitting and standing on a porch, smiling for a photo.
A sign with the message 'Thanks for 12 great years' featuring illustrations of a town skyline with historic buildings and a row of colorful magnets at the top, including a photo of a smiling woman.
Four people sitting together on a couch, smiling, with a brown background. The group includes a mom, a dad, and two adult sons, all dressed casually.
A woman holding a bouquet of flowers and a silver medal standing in front of a United Way Oxford backdrop with a Canadian flag to her left, smiling broadly.