Supplied by the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA…
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 23rd of this year.
Tracey is a native of Thessalon, Ontario 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 nonprofit 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 4-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 6-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.
Please join me in thanking Anne for her leadership and in welcoming Tracey to the YMCA of Sault Ste.
Marie