Toronto, Ontario – YWCA Canada is thrilled to welcome 7 new and 8 returning National Board Members elected at the 132nd Annual Members Meeting held in Muskoka, Ontario earlier this June.
Among these elections was the exciting decision to appoint Denise Christopherson as their new Board Chair. Denise is not new to the YWCA Movement, serving as YWCA Hamilton’s CEO for over 12 years.
“As we prepare to welcome new Board members, we look forward to the added strength and energy each one brings, as we forge ahead on our exciting journey toward equity. We are heartened to continue building on past successes, learning from our past, and building a strong federation that is anchored in excellence and truly centers a progressive, decolonial, antiracist, and reconciliation-focused ethos in everything we do”, says YWCA Canada’s CEO, Aline Nizigama.
YWCA Canada proudly welcomes Denise Christopherson (Board Chair), Deborah MacPherson, Chantelle Krish, Dr Candice Waddell-Henowitch, Erum Afsar, Lubna Ladak, and Marilyn Loewen Mauritz, to the National Board. Each are community leaders who bring diverse experiences and expertise. Their new perspectives will complement the continued leadership provided by ongoing National Board members Clarice Anderson, Marina Banister, Meghan Cadue, Shifrah Gadamsetti, Renata Huyghebaert, Dahlia Jiwan, Fae Johnstone, and Dr. Delores Mullings.
YWCA Canada’s National Board plays an essential role in advancing gender equity in Canada. The collective expertise of members contributes to the organization’s mission to advance gender equity and address urgent community needs through ending gender-based violence, building women-led housing, achieving economic equity, and more.
YWCA Canada expresses deep gratitude for outgoing board members for their dedicated leadership and shared mission for advancing gender equity for all women, girls, and gender diverse people.
Ms. Nizigama shared, “We take this opportunity to acknowledge the long-standing dedication of Susan Kennard, our outgoing Board Chair, Beth Lyons, our outgoing Board Vice-Chair, and Yulena Wan, our outgoing Treasurer, for their unparalleled commitment to the organization and its mission. A heartfelt thank you to Marina Banister who stepped into the Interim Board Chair position. We also extend our gratitude to Michelle Smith and Charlotte Yates who ended their tenure on YWCA Canada’s Board this fiscal year. None of the work done this year would have been possible without the dedication of National Office staff and the entire Board”.
As the largest and longest standing gender equity organization in the country, YWCA Canada’s National Board represents the organization’s strong commitment to the leadership of women in decision making roles and a focused mission to foster meaningful dialogue and action on gender equity, racial justice, and truth and reconciliation.
As YWCA Canada looks ahead, the future remains bright as excitement brews for what is to come.
Click here to learn more about YWCA Canada’s national leadership.
About YWCA Canada
YWCA Canada is a leading voice for women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people. For 150 years, the organization has been at the forefront of a movement to fight gender-based violence, build affordable housing and advocate for workplace equity. YWCA Canada works to advance gender equity by responding to urgent needs in communities, through national advocacy and the grassroots initiatives of the Member Association YWCAs across the country. These local YWCAs invest over $258 million annually to support over 330,000 individuals nation-wide.
Contact:
Amanda Arella (she/her/elle)
Director, Public Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Cell: 437.997.0992
