Women’s Crisis Services CEO Mary Zilney to retire
‘She made drastic improvements,’ says board chair
WATERLOO REGION — The chief executive officer of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region is retiring.
Mary Zilney, who will have led the agency for 12½ years when she leaves next March, said it was always her plan to retire after the new Haven House women’s shelter in Cambridge was built and open. It opened in September.
“It’s time,” said Zilney, who turns 65 next March. “This was my choice.”
Zilney said she announced her plans to the agency’s 12-person board in April.
Board chair Cayley Rodd said a recruitment committee has been created. She said she hopes to have an ad for the position ready by August and conduct interviews by October.
“There were lots of changes under her leadership,” Rodd said of Zilney’s tenure. “She made drastic improvements.”
“We appreciate her leadership and passion,” Rodd added. “We will miss her.”
The announcement of Zilney’s retirement comes the same week the agency said it had closed 26 beds — 13 at each of its shelters, Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge.
The beds were closed last October to cope with a shortfall during its capital fundraising campaign, which required the agency to obtain a $2-million mortgage.
Zilney said she also eliminated two full-time staff positions to reduce costs and is looking at every program offered at the shelters to see what they can do without.
The province provides funding for 57 per cent of the agency’s operating budget.
The remainder is raised through private funds, donations and grants.
The agency’s 2016/2017 annual budget is $4 million.