A Unique Board of Directors
Depending on the sector and sample, female representation on Canadian boards is typically between 20-30%. This is after decades of concerted effort, new disclosure requirements and countless programs dedicated to advancing gender equity on boards.
YWCA Metro Vancouver’s board of directors, on the other hand, is comprised entirely of self-identified women. While this is a requirement from YWCA Canada, it is also fundamental to our vision, and we are dedicated to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility on our board. In selecting directors, we balance skills and expertise with representation across age, ability, racial and cultural background, Indigeneity and membership within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We also value diverse lived experience in relation to our programs.
Directors come to our board with incredible knowledge and expertise, and they leave it with valuable governance experience. While many of our directors bring previous board experience, we also welcome directors without this work history and equip them with the tools to serve on other boards. In a small but powerful way we contribute to advancing gender equity in Canadian boardrooms.
About the YWCA Board
The YWCA Board is comprised of 12 volunteer community leaders, who serve up to three two-year terms. The Board meets seven times a year and has three committees to support its work. The Governance and Nominating Committee leads an annual Board recruitment process and new directors are elected by members at the Annual General Meeting in June.
Meet our newest director, Celeste Haldane
We are pleased to share the appointment of our newest director, Celeste Haldane. Celeste is Musqueam (Coast Salish) and Metlakatla (Tsimshian) from the Sparrow and Haldane families and has European ancestry. Celeste is currently the Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission.
Celeste is a practising lawyer and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2019. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Celeste specializes in Indigenous law, corporate governance and she previously practiced criminal defense and civil litigation. Celeste brings the experience of having served on many boards over her remarkable career. She lives with her husband Conrad on Vancouver Island and is the proud mother of three and grandmother of two.
For more information on the YWCA board of directors, contact Heather Kelsall at hkelsall@ywcavan.org.
