Chris snyder
Chris Snyder is Chair Emeritus and a founding force behind HIP, where his vision and leadership helped shape HIP into a national organization dedicated to fostering respectful relationships, advancing reconciliation, and supporting Indigenous youth through education and cultural understanding.
Chris is the Co-Founder and Chair of the ECC Group, which became one of Canada’s first broad-based financial planning firms in 1974. A pioneer in the industry, he designed and implemented Canada’s Registered Financial Planner (RFP) program, establishing national standards for ethical, professional financial planning. His expertise and thought leadership have made him a trusted voice in personal finance for decades.
An accomplished author, Chris has written several books and hundreds of articles. His most recent work, 52+ Good News Stories: Hope in a Complex World, grew out of his long-running “Good News Stories” blog — a project that reflects his commitment to optimism, global citizenship, and community impact.
A deeply engaged Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Toronto, Chris has served in numerous leadership roles. In addition to founding HIP, he is Past Chair of the Canadian Landmine Foundation and has served on the boards of CUSO and the Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict and Justice at the Munk Centre, University of Toronto. He has also organized and led multiple hands-on school-building trips in developing regions, embodying his belief in practical service, education, and international partnership.
Chris’s lifelong dedication to community service has been widely recognized. His honours include the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Rotary’s Service-Above-Self Award, and the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Chris is married to Pat, and together they are proud parents to three children and grandparents to four. His family’s commitment to service and learning continues to inspire his work with HIP, where his leadership, experience, and passion for reconciliation remain foundational to the organization’s mission and values.