People Power:
Getting to Know Each Other
December 16, 2022
We are pleased to introduce the four individuals who have joined the Board of Directors for a soon-to-be unified YMCA BC.
The new directors – James Mandigo, Lynn Pelletier, Megan Stowe and Keivan Hirji – were named to the volunteer governance team earlier this fall. The selected individuals were invited to join the Board after a search firm was engaged to identify exemplary candidates who possess an understanding and appreciation for the Y’s charitable purpose, relevant experience and expertise, as well as those who embrace key YMCA values that include Truth and Reconciliation and diversity, equity and inclusion.
James Mandigo and Megan Stowe will serve two-year terms expiring at YMCA BC’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, while Lynn Pelletier and Keivan Hirji will assume three-year terms that conclude at the AGM in 2026.
Learn more about each of the new directors below:
JAMES MANDIGO
James is the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, at the University of the Fraser Valley. Prior to his arrival in British Columbia, James was involved in multiple volunteer boards and committees dedicated to education, health and wellness in Ontario. He has researched and lectured on topics that align with the YMCA’s values, such as physical literacy and the use of sport for development and peace, and brings a deep appreciation for the Y’s mission.
KEIVAN HIRJI
Keivan is a Senior Sustainability and External Relations Specialist for North America for the Newmont Corporation. He has also been a highly respected government policy advisor, having served roles at both the federal and provincial levels. An up-and-coming leader, Keivan is a past member of the Vancouver Hub for the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers initiative and currently sits on the Board of Directors for BC Adaptive Snowsports as Vice-President.
LYNN PELLETIER
Lynn is a seasoned senior executive, leader and consultant who has guided multiple large-scale operations and strategic projects in the health sector, with a particular focus on mental wellness and community health management. She has significant experience in charitable governance roles, notably as a past chair of the YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. Lynn has also chaired the board of SHARE Family & Community Services and is a current board member for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver.
MEGAN STOWE
Megan is Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Provincial Health Services Authority. She also has a clinical background as a registered nurse and is an adjunct professor in the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing and an instructor in its Department of Population and Public Health. From her current role with the Coquitlam Cabinet for the Y’s What Really Matters Capital Campaign to serving as a camp counsellor in her youth, Megan brings a longstanding connection to the YMCA and its values.
Clockwise from top left, James Mandigo, Lynn Pelletier, Keivan Hirji and Megan Stowe have been named incoming board members
November 10, 2022
As an organization committed to helping children and families thrive, we are grateful for the work our YMCA Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) programs do each day.
In addition to providing amazing support and guidance to families looking for child care, they provide parents, caregivers, and child care providers with the resources and information they need to raise happy and healthy children—talk about incredibly important work!
Serving 30 communities across Kamloops, Northern BC, and Greater Vancouver, below is a summary of the many ways these amazing teams support families and child care professionals:
Contributions and Impact:
Host annual YMCA CCRR Early Learning Conferences and annual Child Care Appreciation Events
Provide support through play, socialization, and community connection to parents, caregivers and children through Circle of Friends—a family resource program
Organize regular community offerings that bring us all together, such as Mother Goose and Story Times in the Park(s)
Be a source of information and support through outreach in the community, ranging from parent and child drop-ins, family support programs and other, exciting events
Plan and help deliver a range of ongoing and continuous training and networking opportunities for early learning professional development
Operate the YMCA CCRR Early Learning Resource Library, which hosts thousands of early learning resources accessible to both child care providers and families to support and bolster their early learning practices
Offer computer access for grant and subsidy information and applications
Provide support to those completing subsidy applications
Ensure a robust Toy lending library is available for child care providers
Provide support to those looking to start a child care
Help families in finding child care, sharing information regarding the Affordable Child Care Benefit, Childhood Development and Community Resources
Support early years professionals through Community of Practices, support visits and two special events: Christmas Child Care Gathering in December and annual Child Care Appreciation Event in May
Help organize and participate in several Family Events throughout the year for families and providers (Teddy Bear Picnic, Healthy Kids Week, ABC Day, PRIDE, Children’s Art Festival).
So who are these passionate individuals carrying out this work? Scroll through the photos below to see the smiling faces of many of our CCRR staff teams!
August 4, 2022
With the camp season in full swing, we’re excited to introduce you to some of our amazing camp staff members who are providing children with happy, healthy, and memorable experiences during the summer break.
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Brooklyn (left), Camp Counsellor, YMCA of Northern BC
Q. Why did you choose to join our YMCA Camps team?
My sister was in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program several years ago and had so much fun that I decided to join once I was old enough. I was a CIT for one year, and then applied to be a staff member. I have returned to camp because I love being outdoors and the positive environment for our campers!Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with kids at camp?
Knowing that they are having fun!
Q. How do you feel the camp experience benefits children?
How doesn't it?! It's a good summer activity for them where they get to try new things and meet new friends.Q. What is your favourite camp game/activity and why?
I really like our camp-wide games because it's the whole section of campers all working together to figure things out and coming together as a team. -
Camryn, Summer Camp Leader, Kamloops YMCA-YWCA
Q. Why did you choose to join our YMCA Camps team?
I enjoy working with kids and it will greatly benefit my future in education.Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with kids at camp?
I love hearing their funny stories as well as watching them get excited about games and activities.Q. How do you feel the camp experience benefits children?
I believe the connections the kids make with the other children and the leaders are awesome for their social skills and it helps them make friends.Q. What is your favourite camp game/activity and why?
I recently learned how to play the game Froggy. I love that game because it is a big hit with the kids and is pretty easy to organize. Also, it is just really fun. -
Stephen, Camp Counsellor, YMCA Camp Elphinstone
Q. Why did you choose to join our YMCA Camps team?
Because of previous incredible experiences at camp and wanting to give back to the kids.
Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with kids at camp?
Interacting with them and getting to know their personalities. Having ongoing running jokes with kids always crack me up, especially the jokes that the campers come up with.
Q. How do you feel the camp experience benefits children?
I think the friendships they make at camp are number one. Camp is also an opportunity for them to let go and just be kids.
Q. What is your favourite camp game/activity and why?
Gaga ball! And I love sailing, being out on the water, laughing and having fun with campers while teaching them a new skill.
May 19, 2022
This week, and in recognition of May being Child Care Month in B.C., we’re proud to introduce you to three of our amazing child care staff members who are dedicated to helping children thrive and reach their full potential.
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Mark, Team Leader, YMCA of Greater Vancouver
Q. What do you enjoy about working at the Y?
I love the opportunity to be a part of our children's lives and make a difference. My goal is to ensure the kids in my program grow up to be strong, confident individuals who are able to look back and say "I learned this at the YMCA.”Q. Why did you choose to work in our before and after school child care program?
I was complaining about my current job to a close friend of mine one day and she told me she had recently got a job working in the Y summer programs and recommended I apply as it was a great place to work. I applied that week and never looked back.
Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with children?
I greatly enjoy the conversations I get to have with my kids each day and the connections I get to make. It's always interesting to see the sometimes unique and quirky perspective the children have on the world around them. I also love seeing the excitement and eagerness on their faces when we do an activity they love as well as the pride and enthusiasm they show when they share that with their families.Q. What excites you about unification?
I'm most excited to see the Y family grow and expand. I take a lot of pride in working for the Y and so it is awesome to be a part of it as it develops and expands. -
Madi, After School Care Leader, Kamloops YMCA-YWCA
Q. What do you enjoy about working at the Y?What I enjoy about working at the Y is implementing the Y core values (caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusiveness) with the children I work with. The Y’s values are instrumental in child development, which I get to see every day at work.
Q. Why did you choose to work in child care? From a young age I’ve always enjoyed working with children. Prior to working at the YMCA I was a nanny which I loved. I knew that I wanted to continue working with kids after my job as a nanny ended. The most rewarding part of working in child care is watching the children you work with grow and become confident decision makers and self-sufficient learners.
Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with children?
Each day I get to witness children discovering their own strengths. Seeing the children I work with learn and demonstrate new skills like problem solving, communication, and decision-making puts a smile on my face.Q. What excites you about unification?
What excites me about unification is working towards and achieving the same goals with others through connection, communication, support, and encouragement. -
Lorna, Manager, Child Care Operations, YMCA of Northern BC
Q. What do you enjoy about working at the Y?
I enjoy the supportive team at the Y. Even between departments there is a big family feel.
Q. Why did you choose to work in child care?
I chose to work in child care because I feel like we are helping children, and those that love them, succeed to their greatest potential. Child care supports the child, the family and the community.
Q. What puts a smile on your face each day when working with children?
So many things! Being with the children as they master new skills, seeing the pride on their faces, getting my hand covered in paint with the kids, the jokes the kids tell me, and the hugs for no reason.
Q. What excites you about unification?
Growing the family! I am excited to meet new teams, learn from their success and challenges and share ours with them.
April 21, 2022
This week we’re happy to introduce you to Roberta Haas, VP, People, YMCA of Greater Vancouver, who shared thoughts on what excites her about the possibility of our three associations coming together as one Y!
Roberta Haas –
VP, People & Chief Human Resources Officer,
YMCA of Greater Vancouver
People are at the heart of everything we do! I believe that and I see it every day. When I joined the YMCA in 2016, I didn't know a lot about the Y. Immediately I was blown away by the passion and commitment every single staff person brought with them everyday. I have said, and will continue to say, that every day I find something new to love about the Y. It's about the people - our colleagues across programs and regions and about the people we serve.
The last two years have been hard - as hard as I've known in my 35 years as a practicing HR professional - but people dug in and dug deep - working for their communities and each other.
I know we are all tired, but we need to hold on to each other a little longer.
We now have another big challenge ahead - coming together as one Y for BC. I've had the amazing opportunity to work with and meet many staff from across our Ys and I look forward to spending time with and supporting everyone. I pride myself on being accessible and available and while sometimes distance makes it hard - it can be overcome. I expect to be able to visit regularly, as I did pre pandemic restrictions, just a bit further
out :).
I believe that as one Y, we will be able to meet the challenges our province faces together. More great people coming together is always a good thing. With the talent, wisdom, passion and commitment I've seen across all our Ys, I know we can do even greater things than we already do. It's all about people! That's why I love the Y.
March 30, 2022
Introducing Lizeth from Greater Vancouver, Manpreet from Northern BC, and D’Artagnan from Kamloops! This week we sat down with three of our colleagues to get the inside scoop on why they work at the Y, why they’re so excited about unification and what learning opportunities they’re most looking forward to.
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Lizeth Escobedo — Manager, Adult Learning and Immigrant Services, YMCA of Greater Vancouver
Q: Why did you choose to work at the Y?
When I first joined the YMCA, I was certainly ignorant to what the Y does. I first joined as a program participant, and it provided me with such a sense of belonging that I started to look for PT opportunities that would allow me to balance my life as a mom and still feel that I was giving back to the community and making a social impact.
Q: What does collaboration mean to you?
I believe collaboration is trust that inspires and supports one another, we share successes and learnings, and we create spaces that allow synergy to happen, where all the ideas turn into the best idea.
Q: What excites you about the possibility of unifying with the other two YMCAs?
To have a positive impact on the lives of even more people.
Q: What are you looking forward to learning from the other associations?
I am looking forward to continued learning. I am always curious to learn from others and see the world through their eyes. Also, strengthening our relations and seeing ourselves as a TEAM based on trust and common goals, and facilitate positive experiences for many more people with such a diverse talent.
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Manpreet Kaur — Early Childhood Educator, YMCA Anne Roberts Young Care & Learning Centre, YMCA of Northern BC
Q: Why did you choose to work at the Y?
I love the staff and the environment I work in. I find it to be a very healthy and happy place to be. I love to come to work and it really is great that we all have such a great working relationship. It is really nice to be at a place where your needs are cared for and your opinions matter.
Q: What does collaboration mean to you?
Coming together as a united front and working as a team. No person left behind.
Q: What excites you about the opportunity to unify with the other two YMCAs?
Lots more resources and brains to pick at!
Q: What are you looking forward to learning from the other associations?
This one is a hard one because the door is always open to learning new things so I would say there isn't anything specific but if new things come my way, I would embrace them as a learning opportunity.
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D'Artagnan McDermid — Head Lifeguard, YMCA-YWCA Kamloops
Q: Why did you choose to work at the Y?
I grew up coming to the YMCA on and off. I always loved the atmosphere that I saw while I was here and that I still see to this day.
Q: What does collaboration mean to you?
Collaboration to me means bringing the community together from far and wide and working together to solve issues or just be there for each other.
Q: What excites you about the opportunity to unify with the other two YMCAs?
I think what excites me the most is the opportunity to learn and potentially work together with other lifeguards from across B.C.
Q: What are you looking forward to learning from the other associations?
How they run and operate differently or similarly to our aquatic environment!
March 9, 2022
Meet some of your unification leaders!
Our associations are fortunate to have a dedicated team working hard to ensure a successful, equitable and inclusive unification process. As you can imagine, there are many priorities and much to do. Here’s what our three CEOs, who are key members of the group, have to say about the potential of unification:
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“I have worked my entire Y career getting and keeping two Y associations relevant to the communities they serve. I know how hard people work, how dedicated they are to bringing the mission of the Y to life to those lives we impact. It makes a difference. I believe that a unified Y will be stronger, have greater capacity, create more opportunities and be well positioned to serve our communities for decades to come. It’s a big idea worth implementing!”
–Colin Reid, CEO,
YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops -
“At the YMCA, we are passionate about building healthy communities. I'm so excited about how unification will help us increase our impact - through serving more communities in need, continuing to serve our local communities with greater ease through enhanced back of house systems and supports, while ensuring that we are strong and resilient today and for generations to come.”
–Amanda Alexander, CEO,
YMCA of Northern BC -
“I am a big believer in the power of teams. Bringing people together, with all our diverse experience and thoughts – it always makes solutions stronger. And that is exactly what is happening, with the YMCA Greater Vancouver, YMCA Northern BC, and YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops coming together. We are stronger together.”
–Heidi Worthington, CEO,
YMCA of Greater Vancouver
We look forward to profiling many more of the committed and passionate leaders involved in this unification process. In the meantime, here’s a list of the members on the Governance Transition Committee (GTC), who are hard at work behind the scenes:
| Name | YMCA |
|---|---|
| Gavin Hume, GTC Chair | Board Director, YMCA of Greater Vancouver Properties Foundation |
| Marsha Walden | Board Director, YMCA of Greater Vancouver |
| Greg D’Avignon | Board Director, YMCA of Greater Vancouver |
| Heather Holden | Board Director, YMCA of Greater Vancouver Foundation |
| Heidi Worthington | CEO, YMCA of Greater Vancouver |
| Catherine Pennington | Board Vice-Chair, YMCA of Northern BC |
| Pat Flack | Board Chair, YMCA of Northern BC |
| Amanda Alexander, GTC CEO Lead | CEO, YMCA of Northern BC |
| Karl deBruijn | Board Director, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops |
| Jeanine Ball | Board Chair, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops |
| Colin Reid | CEO, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops |
| Roy Funk – GTC staff support | YMCA of Greater Vancouver |
| Nancy Farries – GTC staff support | VP, Canada West Regional Development Centre Canada West |