Leadership Team
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Chief Executive Officer
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Special Projects Officer
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Director of Finance
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Director of Residential Programs
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Director of Advocacy & Community Programs
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Advocacy and Community Programs Manager
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Accounting and Payroll Manager
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Marketing and Communications Manager
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Facility Manager
Ebony Rempel (she/her)
Chief Executive Officer
Ebony Rempel has been working in the field of gender equity since 2010. Ebony has a Master of Science degree specializing in Health Promotion and currently a PhD candidate at Western University. Her doctorate work is focused on understanding the support, information, and service needs of women who access second-stage shelters. Ebony brings a preventive lens to her work through community engagement and has presented at over 30 conferences across the globe. Ebony is embedded into the community and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces. She works hard to bridge academic research with direct service delivery and comes to the work with genuine curiosity. She believes in working from a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach with clients, community, and employees. Ebony lives in Banff with her partner Jamie and son Seth, where they love to hike, bike, and snowboard.
Stephen Crotty (he/him)
Special Projects Officer
Stephen joined the YWCA Banff in 2009 as the Director of Operations after a couple of successful decades in the Bow Valley hospitality sector. In this role, he was enabled to actively participate in the growth and sustainability of the YWCA Banff in many facets including the social enterprise hotel, the residence housing programs, and managing the daily operations of the Banff campus. Stephen has strengthened community engagement through iconic events including VINEart and Songs for Shelter, as well as numerous community boards and committees. As Vice Chair of the Town of Banff Housing Study, Stephen recommitted much of his energies and focus on housing in the Bow Valley and the YWCA Banff’s role in supporting this community need.
As Chief Operations Officer from 2019 to 2022, Stephen has dedicated most of his efforts to expanding the YWCA Banff’s housing portfolio with the completion of the organization’s largest capital project, Dr. Priscilla Wilson’s Place. During this time, Stephen has been fortunate to transition the excellent operations management team to their new roles operating the overall YWCA campus. Part of this transition planning has allowed Stephen to take on the new role of Capital Projects Officer, effective as of 2023. Stephen’s focus is on the major capital opportunities that are future focused, such as the Higher Ground purpose-built facility ear-marked for Canmore.
Stephen has resided in Banff/Canmore since 1980 and enjoys spending time playing, recreating and learning all that the mountains offer. Stephen is a (quietly) passionate advocate for the YWCA Banff and the work that is done in the community by the entire team at the Y. He is most proud of actively trying to keep up with his family – Chris, Britt, Landis, Jamie, Mom and Franny.
Tim Binks (he/him)
Director of Finance
Originally from New Zealand, Tim has an interesting professional background that includes management roles in a large international accounting firm, to Chief Financial Officer/Director for a smaller tourism business. Tim works remotely but returns to Banff for a few months each year. While in town, he spends some of his time working up Sunshine Village as a ski patroller. Tim has travelled extensively and volunteered in many parts of the world. He holds an advanced first aid certificate, avalanche operations level two certification and is an experienced rescue worker. He is also a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and a Prince2 Project Management designation.
Rae Roberts (she/her)
Director of Residential Programs
Rae Roberts is grateful to live and work in Banff and finds joy in community engagement, crafting and cooking. In her spare time, she is supporting the re-launch of the Banff Food and Friends program, engages as the secretary of the Banff Curling Club, acts as a Board member with the Banff Housing Corporation and sits as a committee member with the Banff Canmore Community Foundation Program Disbursement Committee. Rae has worked with YWCA Banff for nearly 10 years with a focus in Residential Program(s) design and delivery. She recognizes the unique, rural housing landscape in the Bow valley and is dedicated to connecting Bow valley people to housing solutions and supportive programming.
Reave MacLeod (she/her)
Director of Advocacy & Community Programs
| Reave moved to the Bow Valley with her family in the summer of 2015 and has been enjoying it ever since! Reave is a professional social worker who brings an extensive background in human services including experience in the domestic violence and settlement sectors as well as experience in non-profit management. Prior to relocating to the Bow Valley, she completed her master’s in social work with a specialization in leadership. In 2016 Reave joined the team as the Harmony Project Manager, an opportunity which fit well with her passion for gender equity and community development. As someone who values collaboration, opportunities for lifelong learning and making a positive contribution to community, Reave is grateful to live in the Bow Valley and be a member of the leadership team at YWCA Banff. |
Neil Atkinson (he/him)
Advocacy and Community Programs Manager
Neil started working at YWCA Banff in February of 2019. With a background in Business Development, he began working with the YWCA Banff as Housing & Social Enterprise Manager. Now, as Manager of Advocacy & Community Programs, Neil works to advance YWCA Banff’s mission through prevention and outreach programs. He also remains closely involved with the organization’s social enterprise operations.
Outside of his time at YWCA Banff, Neil is an active supporter of the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley, as well as an avid backcountry skier and rock climber.
Jin Kang (she/her)
Accounting and Payroll Manager
Originally from South Korea, Jin received a degree in Computer Science before moving to Canada where she went on to study Accounting at Bow Valley College. Jin has called the Bow Valley home since 2007 and joined the YWCA team in 2020 as the Accounting and Payroll Manager. As the proud mom of three mountain kids, Jin is passionate about working for an organization that supports women and the Bow Valley community.
In her time away from work, Jin enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, and time spent in her community with her family.
Emily Sweeney (she/they)
Marketing and Communications Manager
After completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree in June 2020, Emily and her partner packed up their lives and their cat Bilbo and headed across the wide-open prairies to beautiful Canmore, AB. As a lover of all things outdoors Emily still can’t believe she gets to call this beautiful mountain community home. Realizing early on in her marketing career that creating meaningful change within her role was essential, it didn’t take her long to find YWCA Banff. Emily joined the YWCA Banff team as the Marketing and Communications Manager in June 2022 and brings creativity, passion, and a fresh perspective to her work.
Susann Buchanan (she/her)
Facility Manager
Susann has worked with the YWCA Banff since 2005. Through her work in facilities, Susann leads the housekeeping and maintenance operations across the 90,000 square foot YWCA Campus. Suze is dedicated to the mission and vision of the YWCA and is an integral part of ensuring the YWCA is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President
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Vice President - Governance
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Secretary
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Treasurer
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Vice President - Operations
Kate Boyd (she/her)
President
Kate has been quietly driving change in sport and recreation across Canada. As a leader, manager and director, Kate has leveraged her skills and experiences to lead her teams to sustained performance and excellence. Kate believes in empowering and mentoring her teams to tap into their own excellence, which contributes to the greater team’s success.
Kate has led meaningful change for large programs at the YMCA-YWCA and in sport. Helping to set the tone, guide decisions and create highly effective teams. As a youth and young adult, the experiences at YMCA-YWCA camps helped shape the leader she is today.
Kate is the High-Performance Director (HPD), for Nordiq Canada’s Para Nordic program, Canada’s most successful Paralympic team. In 2020, she was the first female HPD hired at Nordiq Canada. As a member of the staff for the Para Nordic team at the 2018 and 2022 Paralympic Games, she supported athletes and staff in their achievement of thirty medals at the Games. She has helped the team navigate the ups and downs of the pandemic and a major shift in staffing. Under her guidance the team had their best ever performance in the 2022-23 World Cup season, despite such significant challenges.
As a YWCA Banff Board member since 2020, Kate values being able to give back and contribute to the YWCA and the greater Bow Valley community, through an organization that has played such a critical role throughout her entire life.
Ella Schatzmann (she/her)
Director
Ella has proudly called Canmore home since 2004. She shares her life with her husband Chris and children Cody and Nelly. As a Social Worker, Ella has been a strong advocate for the rights and wellbeing of women and children, working in the areas of Child Protection, hospital Social Work and Community Mental Health. As Program Facilitator with Bow Valley Addiction & Mental Health since 2012, she is honoured to have the opportunity to work in community on initiatives and projects that aim to improve the lives of its citizens, including the Harmony Project, Homeless to Housing Coalition and the Bow Valley Wellness, Recovery & Preparedness Coalition.
Danielle Roussy (she/her)
Vice President - Governance
After attending the University of Waterloo for Psychology, Dani moved to the Bow Valley for the summer, like many do. That was in 2009 and she is still in awe of the beauty of Banff. Dani loves to travel (16 countries so far), explore, camp, hike, bike, yoga and spend time outdoors with her partner and her two boys. She’s been a volunteer for multiple organizations throughout the Bow Valley including Banff LIFE, Banff Yoga Festival, Banff Marathon, and Mel’s Road Race. Some programs she’s volunteered for include the Bow Valley Mentor Program (2014-2018) and Roots of Empathy (2018-2019). She has worked at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital in St. Martha’s Long Term Care unit since 2014, but has recently taken over the role of Seniors Support Coordinator for the Town of Banff where she oversees the programs and services for older adults in Banff. Dani is so proud to be serving on the YWCA Executive Board of Directors since January 2020 and has a huge passion for the safety, equity and empowerment of women and girls.
Melanie Kwong (she/her)
Secretary
An opportunity with Parks Canada brought Melanie and her family to the Rockies in 2013. In that role, she quickly came to appreciate the spirit of collaboration in the Bow Valley, especially in challenging times like the historic flood event that year.
A desire to contribute to building a safe and inclusive community that empowers all women led Melanie to join the YWCA board. Melanie currently works for the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. A second-generation Canadian, Melanie was born in Montreal and is thankful to call home this special place on Treaty 7 Territory and the homeland of Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Karen Shelton (she/her)
Treasurer
Karen joined the YWCA Banff Board of Directors in June 2021, and has served as the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Capital Committee since June 2022. Karen was born and raised in Alberta and has enjoyed countless hours in the mountains and the Bow Valley. She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, and is a professional accountant, with over 36 years of industry experience and over 11 years of Board experience for nonprofit organizations. She has technical expertise in financial and managerial accounting, budgeting, strategic planning, project management and organizational change management. Karen is a strong advocate for women’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has served as a coach and mentor and has championed various employee led programs, including the formation of a Women’s Leadership Network and various charitable fundraising programs.
Karen retired from the workplace in 2020. She is an avid traveler and modest golfer and enjoys spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren.
Karen is grateful to give back to the community and support and empower the women and girls in the Bow Valley.
Heather Sturm (she/her)
Vice President - Operations
A love for the mountains brought Heather to Alberta from Toronto, after completing her Bachelor in Biological Engineering from the University of Guelph in 2007. After many years of spending weekends in the Rockies, Heather moved to Canmore to be with her partner.
Heather is a Professional Engineer and has been working at a small environmental service company since 2009. Her career has provided her with a variety of experiences from operating equipment to technical design and project management. She now also helps manage the organization with a focus on empathetic and open leadership.
With a passion for a compassionate and caring community and world, she has been a Board member with YWCA Banff since January 2020 and a Client Care Volunteer with the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley starting August 2022.
When not working or volunteering, Heather can be found skiing, reading, and spending time in nature. She is grateful to live, work, and play on Treaty 7 Territory and for the Indigenous People who have been caretakers of this land since time immemorial.
Jessica Wheatley (she/her)
Director
Jessica is a Professional Engineer living and working in the Bow Valley, taking particular pride in working on the projects that make a difference in the lives of people within her community. Away from work, you’ll find her enjoying the mountains mountain biking, hiking, camping, on a paddle board or advocating for active transportation within our communities. Looking to further support the many local initiatives the YWCA is leading, Jessica is thrilled to have joined the board in 2021.
Aarti Rattan (she/her)
Director
Aarti first came to Canmore in 2016 to enjoy a short 2 week vacation. Having grown up in the mountains of India, she immediately fell in love with the beautiful Bow Valley and decided to build a life here. After graduating with a Bachelors in Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business, Aarti joined KPMG (Toronto) and went on to become a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator. She now works as a manager at Baker Tilly Rockies in Canmore with a focus on non-profit and hospitality clients.
As an outdoor enthusiast, Aarti enjoys spending time mountain biking, snowboarding, running, and hiking in the mountains. She is excited to work with the dynamic YWCA team and give back to a community that she is proud to be a part of.
Cate White (she/her)
Director
Cate is thrilled to be joining the YWCA Banff Board of Directors to continue her passion for women-centred preventive community programming. As a born and raised Albertan, Cate grew up hiking and camping in the Bow Valley with YMCA-YWCA camps. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a law degree (JD), both from the University of Victoria. During her undergraduate degree, Cate focused her time researching with and working alongside Indigenous communities, tackling issues that intersect across women’s reproductive health, environmental justice and access to justice. Prior to attending law school, Cate was a researcher for Constellation Consulting Group, a group of consultants who work with Calgary-based non-profit organizations to build evidence-based programming and evaluation frameworks. She also volunteered for the Victoria Big Brothers Big Sisters “Go Girls!” program that focuses on empowering girls in grades 4-6.
Cate is currently a Calgary-based lawyer with a commercial litigation practice that focuses on anti-bribery, corruption and other national and international criminal and regulatory compliance issues. She still enjoys making her way to the mountains of the Bow Valley on most weekends, whether it’s for hiking, camping, fly-fishing or cross-country skiing.
Sarah Freeman (she/her)
Director
Sarah has her CPCC, Co-Active Coach and is a Professionally Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation along with being a Certified NCCP Swim Coach.
She works at Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director. She has been a transformative force in advancing women in business, championing initiatives that provide opportunities and support for female entrepreneurs and professionals.
As a community connector, her impact extends far beyond the Bow Valley. Her ability to bring people together, share insights, and build networks has strengthened ties and created opportunities across Canada. She is a part of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Inclusive Growth Committee. Recently she was honoured as the Executive of the Year by the Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
She owns a swim coaching business and is building empowering heart driven communities for waterwomen to connect & thrive as their authentic selves in and out of the water.
She is a waterwomen (competitive swimmer) podcast host, step-mum, wife, coach, community builder, and you can catch her on the local radio station 106.5 Mountain FM as a Community co-host.
Photo Credit: Alexis Mckeown
Sarah Lonz (she/her)
Director
Sarah, originally from Ottawa, Ontario, spent the last 10 years working at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital as a Registered Nurse before advancing into a managerial role. She has since transitioned to Canmore General Hospital, where she currently serves as the Site Manager. With a background in nursing and healthcare leadership, Sarah’s career has been driven by her commitment to improving systems that directly impact the well-being of individuals and families.
Sarah is completing a Master’s in Leadership with a specialization in Healthcare at Royal Roads University. Her research is focused on strengthening inter-organizational collaboration in Banff to enhance the local mental health and addiction care system. Sarah also volunteers as the Board Chair for the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley. Dedicated to people-centered initiatives, Sarah is committed to developing services and resources that address the diverse needs of the community.
Outside of her professional role, Sarah is an outdoor enthusiast where she spends her weekends hiking and trail running, finding balance in the natural beauty of the Bow Valley. Sarah’s leadership is defined by her commitment to collaboration and community engagement and is excited to bring her experience in leading teams and advocating for systemic change to YWCA Banff.
Karen Thomson (she/her)
Director
After completing her degree in Management, Karen moved to Banff to hit the hiking trails for (what she thought would be) a couple of months. Over 5 years later, she’s still here enjoying the trails and everything else life in the Bow Valley has to offer.
Throughout her life, Karen has been fortunate to have mentored, and been mentored by, many strong women and girls. To continue this trend – and fuelled by a belief in a safer, more equitable society that empowers women – she joined the YWCA Banff Board in 2024.
Karen also works in strategy at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and is passionate about the sustainable future of tourism in this special part of the world.
Shaping a safe and inclusive Bow Valley that empowers women and their community for a better future.
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