St. Amand retiring as Niagara YMCA CEO
After dedicating 36 years to the community-focused organization, YMCA Niagara’s CEO Janet St. Amand will be retiring from the non-profit effective Sept. 1.
St. Amand began her career with the YMCA organization as the program director for YMCA St. Catharines in 1981. She was appointed CEO of YMCA Niagara in 2013.
“I’ve received great fulfillment in seeing how the YMCA strengthens our community one day at a time,” she says.
“Seeing a child go through our children’s services, then onto our youth programing, for them to go onto post-secondary education and then come back to contribute to the community, really speaks to that.”
She was involved with the launch and expansion of the YMCA Employment and Newcomer Services, working on the openings of five Health, Fitness and Aquatic Centres and changing aspects related to Child Care Services to address shifts in the region. While on the national level she participated in the training and development of staff.
Even with the changes to the organization and region over her time at the YMCA, St. Amand says the non-profit’s impact remains the same.
“The YMCA is still creating a sense of belonging (in the community) no matter your background or financial standing,” something she has been happy to contribute to throughout her career with support from volunteers and co-workers.
“One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been working with the dedicated volunteers and staff.”
YMCA Niagara’s Board Chair Terry Suess says St. Amand will be a hard act to follow.
“Our board is very grateful of the
I’ve received great fulfillment in seeing how the YMCA strengthens our community one day at a time.”
many years of leadership provided by Janet and wish her all the best,” he says.
“There is a rich legacy of strong YMCA leaders in Niagara, and we look forward to continuing that legacy with the next stage of CEO leadership.”
To fill the soon to be vacant position, the YMCA of Niagara board has created a CEO selection committee which will be facilitated by YMCA Canada. The committee includes Suess, four other board members of YMCA Niagara, one senior staff member from the Niagara branch, one Niagara community member and a representative from YMCA Canada.
“We’re still defining the expectation for our next CEO,” says Suess. “We need to take a step back and evaluate what skills are needed for the position. We’re a community organization, so it’s important to look at the needs of the community.”
Suess says the hiring process usually takes five to six months, which aligns with St. Amand’s departure from the non-profit.
Although she is retiring from the organization, St. Amand says she’s not leaving.
She plans on continuing her relationship with YMCA Niagara, by remaining a donor and giving back to the YMCA and its community partners anyway she can.