The YMCA's new CEO will take the reins on April 23

NEWS RELEASE
YMCA OF SAULT STE MARIE
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On behalf of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie I am pleased to announce the hiring of Tracey Cooke as the chief executive officer of the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA effective on Tuesday, April 23 of this year.

Tracey is a native of Thessalon, Ont. where she resides with her family and serves her local community as an elected representative on Municipal Council.

Tracey is an experienced northern Ontario professional having served in many capacities across the region with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Tracey holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Essentials from the Rotman School of Business and a Degree in Environment and Resource Studies from the University of Waterloo. She brings a distinctive skill set and expertise through progressive assignments within the Ontario Public Service (OPS) as well as her most recent non- profit position as executive director of the Invasive Species Centre which has its national office in the Sault.

Tracey is an enthusiastic leader and has illustrated her commitment to building a strong team that is linked to building a strong YMCA presence in our community. She’s an effective collaborator who is committed to strengthening the foundational properties of our YMCA, as well as leading our YMCA in purposeful collaborations that support the strengthening and growth of our YMCA in the North.

Tracey’s appointment is the result of an intensive four month search process the Board has undertaken with the guidance and support of Y Canada through the YMCA Ontario RDC.

The CEO Search committee was led by YMCA Board Chair; Joel Rowswell and included four representatives of the Board; Allison Knotte, Dino Biasucci, Bob Burns and Board Vice-Chair Lori Bertrand. The thorough process involved a national job posting and the assessment and screening of over 60 candidates for the position.

More information on Tracey’s contact coordinates will be available soon. The board wishes to acknowledge the work of Anne Markkula as the association’s interim CEO over the last six months and are pleased that Anne will be staying on in her leadership role as the association’s CFO, a role that she has performed in admirably on behalf of our YMCA for the past 20 years.

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