Drop-In Centre appoints new ‘committed, inclusive leader’
The Calgary Drop-In Centre has a new full-time executive director following a five-month search.
As of Thursday, Sandra Clarkson, from Calgary, will step into her new role. Clarkson has more than 25 years of experience working with vulnerable populations and is eager to help the nearly 3,000 people who seek shelter at the centre each night.
“I’ve known Sandra since she joined the DI in 2017, and am confident that she is the inclusive, committed leader we need to fulfil the DI’s aim to be the most effective housing-focused shelter in North America,” said the centre’s board chair, Ken Uzeloc.
The hunt for a new leader, which involved the centre’s search committee and Boyden Canada, began in March following allegations of workplace harassment resulting in the resignation of the executive director at the time.
Both the province and city conducted reviews of the steps taken after the issues arose. It was determined that new policies and procedures promoted the health, safety and security of staff, overall improving the workplace culture.
“From the beginning, the search committee told us they were looking for a person who brings big leadership, an unbiased eye to where the DI needs to be headed, a passion for the cause and the ability to speak to community relationships and incorporate the needs of all stakeholders,” said Kevin Gregor with Boyden Canada.
Clarkson joined the centre in January 2017 as the associate executive director. Her vision for the shelter is to create opportunities that result in long-term systemic improvements for citizens in need.
Tim Richter, president and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, said he hopes the centre will become the engine of ending homelessness in Calgary with “awesome staff, a great board, supportive funders and a visionary new leader in Sandra.
“I think this is the beginning of an exciting new era for the DI,” said Richter.