CEO leaves Native Women's Association of Canada engulfed in turmoil
The most prominent In‐ digenous women's organi‐ zation in Canada an‐ nounced on Friday the de‐ parture of its chief execu‐ tive officer amid internal turmoil.
In an email viewed by CBC News, Carol McBride, presi‐ dent of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), informed staff that Lynne Groulx is no longer employed as the organiza‐ tion's CEO.
"NWAC continues to be committed to the grassroots Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people we serve," McBride wrote in the staff email. "I look forward to working with you as we enter a new chapter."
NWAC's board later an‐ nounced Groulx's departure on the organization's web‐ site.
The development came after a CBC News investiga‐ tion reported on the turmoil rocking the national advo‐ cacy organization founded 50 years ago to enhance the well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis women.
WATCH | Troubles face Indigenous women's advo‐ cacy organization:
CBC News reported on an ongoing federal financial au‐ dit of NWAC, where prelimi‐ nary evidence found ineligi‐ ble expenses.
Groulx said NWAC provided all backup informa‐ tion to support its expenses and blamed the federal gov‐ ernment for cutting program funding, which NWAC said led to the layoff of 78 em‐ ployees.
The CEO's exit also follows union-busting allegations made in Ontario and Quebec labour board complaints against the organization, which NWAC denies.
NWAC president wants organization to return to mandate
In a statement, NWAC said Groulx is leaving to head a new venture focused on soci‐ al business and Indigenous prosperity, which McBride later confirmed does not in‐ volve the organization.
"Leaving the role you love is always difficult," Groulx said in the statement.
"It has been an honour and incredible journey lead‐ ing NWAC and contributing to its success. I am im‐ mensely proud of what we have accomplished together and am confident in NWAC's future."
Since joining NWAC in 2016, Groulx's focus has been advancing the rights of
Indigenous women and gen‐ der-diverse people, the orga‐ nization said.
Groulx also oversaw NWAC's new social projects, including a café, gift shop and plans for a boutique ho‐ tel.Critics accused NWAC of straying from its non-profit mandate, but Groulx said the business endeavours were meant to generate revenues to invest into programming and community.
Previously, Groulx worked for the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
McBride told staff Nicole Richmond will serve as inter‐ im CEO. Richmond is a mem‐ ber of the Biigtigong Nish‐ naabeg, an Ojibway First Na‐ tion on the northern shore of Lake Superior in Ontario.
NWAC said its board of di‐ rectors will conduct a nation‐ wide search for a new CEO to lead the organization into the next phase of its growth and development.
McBride told CBC News she's looking forward to NWAC's future and is excited to work alongside its new CEO.
"I know we're going to make some positive changes," McBride told CBC News.
"I think we're going to re‐ ally, really concentrate on getting back to what NWAC was supposed to be all about. It's the advocacy and restructuring it in a way that answers to those needs."