YWCA Canada, the country’s oldest and largest women’s service organization, takes great pleasure in announcing the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer. Maya Roy takes up her duties at YWCA Canada’s National Office in Toronto on May 15th, 2017.
“We are thrilled to welcome Maya Roy” says Rebecca Coughlin, Board Chair of YWCA Canada. “She is an innovative, passionate and experienced leader whose commitment to gender equity is grounded in her own professional and personal experience. Her vision of what women can accomplish speaks directly to her previous work and achievements. Her grassroots understanding of issues affecting women is an enormous asset to our work to create an inclusive movement.”
Ms. Roy is a diversity specialist with 20 years of experience in a variety of sectors in public policy development, public health, adult education and social work. She has extensive experience working in marginalized and disadvantaged communities and has worked internationally with NGOs to support human rights and violence prevention. Most recently, she was the Executive Director of Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto, where she held the position for over 7 years. Ms. Roy is the winner of the 2013 CASSA Gender Advocate Award and the Toronto Community Foundation’s Vital People award in 2014.
Ms. Roy’s arrival signals a new chapter in YWCA Canada’s ongoing work to build a country that works for all women. Using an intersectional feminist lens, YWCA Canada’s advocacy work aims to end violence against women and girls; implement affordable national child care; achieve economic equality; and end homelessness for women and girls.
Says Ms. Roy: “My goal is to build on the vital work that YWCA Canada was founded on. I came into this work because I’ve experienced and witnessed the barriers that silence the voices of women and girls, and prevents them from engaging in leadership opportunities. I’ve dedicated my life to advocate for gender equity both locally and internationally. Engaging and supporting women of diverse communities, backgrounds and identities at a national level is an incredible opportunity. I look forward to working alongside our 32 Member Associations to grow and strengthen the YWCA movement in Canada; to build a just and inclusive society for all women.”
YWCA Canada looks forward with great enthusiasm to the leadership of Ms. Roy to realize our vision for improving and empowering the lives of all women and girls across Canada.
For interviews and more information contact Laura Tilley, Communications & Marketing Manager, YWCA Canada at 416.962.8881 x 233.
About YWCA Canada:
YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest women’s multi-service organization. Our 32 Member Associations across the country serve women and girls in nine provinces and two territories. YWCA Canada is the nation’s single largest provider of shelter to women and children fleeing violence. For more information visit www.ywcacanada.ca, find us on Twitter @YWCA_Canada or at www.facebook.com/ywcacanada.
