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Who We Are

Building brighter futures.

For 170 years, we’ve cared for kids, shaped leaders for tomorrow, helped generations of people come together for support, and provide experiences that last a lifetime. 

As a charitable, non-profit organization, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all, in welcoming spaces that are both nurturing and fun —  a community of shared responsibilities, where children and families thrive. 

Our charity creates opportunities for personal growth, fosters connection and supports change. Through a wide variety of programs and services, we’re building a brighter future across Nova Scotia.  

Sackville St. Entrance
New to Nova Scotia

Our Purpose

Building healthy communities through the power of belonging. 

Our Mission

The YMCA is a charity dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind, and body, and to their sense of responsibility to each other and the global community.

Our Vision

Vibrant communities where everyone belongs.

Our Values

Respect | Responsibility | Honesty | Inclusion | Caring

 YMCA Association Services 

Every Day At the Y...

  • Parents can pursue their careers or education while their kids learn and grow in child care
  • Adults achieve peace of mind at yoga classes and reach healthy workout goals at our health and fitness centres
  • Toddlers build confidence with every stroke, learning lifesaving swimming skills in our swimming & aquatics programs 
  • Youth become (literal and figurative) trailblazers in our camping and outdoor education programs
  • Older adults stay active and connected to their communities 
  • Job seekers find employment support as they navigate the current labour market
  • Newcomers are welcomed and supported as they settle in a new country
  • Students gain life experiences as volunteers, and as youth leaders in work and exchange programs 

YMCA Association Services

YMCA Association Services houses the administrative support offices of the YMCA Greater Halifax/Dartmouth including the office of the CEO, finance, human resources, marketing and communications, donor relations and fund development.

Brian Posavad

President & CEO
He/ Him
[email protected]
p. (902) 222-1177

Heather MacDonald

Chief Development Officer
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 456-0583

Morgan Atwater

Director, Funds Development and Community Engagement
She / Her
[email protected]
​p. (902) 717-9807

Alexandria Samson

Director, Donor Relations
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 229-4311

Hinda Shakeeb

Digital Engagement Coordinator
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 219-1557

John Meagher

General Manager, Asset & Development
He / Him
[email protected]
p. (902) 223-3986

Anna Barnes

Vice President, YMCA Atlantic Regional Development Centre (RDC)
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 221-8974

Julie-Ann Vincent

Chief Operating Officer
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 222-7533

Nicole O'Connor

Interim Director of Communications
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 399-5180

Sahra MacNeill

Director, People & Culture
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 225-2790

Our History

On December 6, 1853, a small group of men came together in the office of Peter Lynch. In the Forrester Building on Barrington Street with a reading room, a library, classes, and bi-weekly lectures, the organization that would become the YMCA of Greater Halifax and Dartmouth was formed.

History of YMCAs in Canada

The YMCA story began in London, England over 170 years ago with one man who had an idea about how to make his community stronger. From that idea sprang a movement that would spread across the globe, inspiring millions to grow in spirit, mind and body. 

Annual Reports

Gratitude Reports

Financial Statements

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth – Charitable Registration Number: 136560760 RR 0001

Our Commitment

As a charitable organization, the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth has an obligation to remain publicly accountable. As a values-based organization, we are committed to fostering an open, honest and inclusive environment. To deliver on our commitment, we’re providing access to information which ensures we are accountable to the communities we serve. This includes information regarding:

 

Leadership Team

The YMCA leadership team supports all areas of the organization in serving our community. We provide quality programs and services that are reflective of the evolving communities we serve.

Brian Posavad

President & CEO
He/ Him
[email protected]
p. (902) 222-1177

Julie-Ann Vincent

Chief Operating Officer
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 222-7533

Maureen L. Hayward

Chief Financial Officer
She/ Her
@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 423-4907 Ext. 225

Heather MacDonald

Chief Development Officer
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 456-0583

Victoria Collins

General Manager, Child Engagement & Operations
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-223-0015

Alexandria Samson

Director, Donor Relations
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 229-4311

Anna Barnes

Vice President, YMCA Atlantic Regional Development Centre (RDC)
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 221-8974

InHae Park

General Manager Of YMCA Immigrant Services
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-457-6871

Sahra MacNeill

Director, People & Culture
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 225-2790

Nicole O'Connor

Interim Director of Communications
She / Her
[email protected]
p. (902) 399-5180

Rebekah Skeete

Director, Employment Services Centre
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-461-2513 ext. 228

John Meagher

General Manager, Asset & Development
He / Him
[email protected]
p. (902) 223-3986

Lynda Thomas

Director, Employment Services Centre
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-499-7560

Michelle Rivoire

Vice President, Health, Fitness, and Aquatics
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-717-8060

TL Johannesson

General Manager, Youth and Leadership Development
She/ Her
[email protected]
p. 902-???

Meet our Current Directors

As a leading charity, the YMCA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. This group of community volunteers provides vision, strategic leadership and stewardship for the Association. The YMCA Board of Directors meets regularly with an Annual General Meeting held every spring. We are extremely grateful to every member, past or present, of the YMCA’s Board of Directors.

Stephen MacDonald

Chair

Stephen MacDonald is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EfficiencyOne, the not-for-profit operator of Canada’s first electricity efficiency utility, Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Lora MacEachern

Vice Chair

Lora MacEachern is a Senior Government Executive and Lawyer, with extensive experience in leadership, law, human resources, public policy, advocacy

Ashley Hill

Ashley Hill is the Founder and Executive Director of the PREP Academy, a community based non-profit organization that inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian students for college, university and beyond.

Jacob Woods

Jacob Woods is a Research Associate at the Nova Scotia Community College. Jacob is skilled in energy system analysis

Kevin Stoddart

Kevin is a Managing Partner at KBRS, Atlantic Canada’s largest talent management and recruitment organization with over 75 staff and offices throughout Atlantic Canada and Ontario.

Krista Jangaard

Dr. Krista Jangaard is the IWK Health Centre’s President & CEO. She first joined the IWK in 1996 in the division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and

Mary Navas

With three years of marketing agency experience at NATIONAL Public Relations working with clients across Atlantic Canada, Mary brings a fresh perspective to communication strategies,

Michelle Bussey

Michelle Bussey is the CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). Through NSAA, Michelle is working with industry, Government and communities to address the

Safia Rahemtulla

Safia is an Associate Partner in the Consulting practice of EY and holds a CPA, CA designation, a Certified Internal Auditor designation and a Certified Third Party Risk

Samantha Nixon

Samantha is a Coordinator with the Canadian Red Cross, supporting International Emergency Response through collaboration with the Government of Canada.

Sanjay Khanna

With over 25 years of experience, Sanjay has worked as part of the private and public sector focused on Information/Knowledge Management, ...

Sarah McInnes

Sarah is a Partner at McInnes Cooper, specializing in Immigration & Employment law.

Shelly Martin

Shelly Martin is a Mì’kmaq lawyer from Millbrook First Nation, is the Director of Governance for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, a tribal Council providing programming and advisory services to eight Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities.

Sian Wren

Sian Wren is Vice President of Business Transformation at Emera. In this role, she led a large team of internal employees and external

Sonia Beattie

Sonia Beattie is the Vice-Provost, Planning & Analytics at Dalhousie University. With a strong passion for education, she completed degrees at both Dalhousie University and Memorial University before starting her career in postsecondary education.

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