Our Cabinet

of outstanding community leaders

	Dr. Ruth M. Bell, C.M. Honourary Co-Chair I remember attending a dinner party back in the 1960s. I arrived innocently enough and wound up leaving as Treasurer of the Y Board. The Y “roped me in” and I’ve been a proud supporter ever since, including as a past Chair of the Board. I was with the Y when the YMCA and YWCA amalgamated and have been particularly impressed with the Y’s camps over the years, especially the Y’s camp for girls: Camp Davern. I am honoured to be involved with the Capital Campaign at an exciting time of change for our Y.
	Frederic S. Martin, C.M. Vice-President, RBC Dominion Securities Honourary Co-Chair One of my most memorable experiences of our Y is similar to that of countless new arrivals here in Ottawa. I arrived from the east coast eager to embark on a new career, but had limited financial resources and no local friends. Finding that the large hotels lacked interest in such a client, I approached the Y which – in its typical character – provided me with a warm welcome and place to stay while I got settled. As an active member for more than sixty years now, our Y has provided me excellent physical fitness facilities, a place of fellowship and the inspiration to offer a helping hand.
	Jim Taggart Chairman, Taggart Group of Companies Campaign Co-Chair Ballet? Me? My first experience with the Y was when my mother enrolled me in the Y’s dance classes as a young boy many years ago. My family and I have been involved with many organizations in our community and feel now is the time to help our Y, where I am a proud member. With this Capital Campaign, we have a bold vision for the future and welcome your support. As Campaign Co-Chair, I am very pleased with the good work we are doing in the community and the friendships I’m enjoying along the way.
	Keith Taggart Director of Development, Taggart Corporation Campaign Co-Chair Of the many good causes in our city, I admire the Y the most. I believe that no other organization offers the level, quality and variety of programs and services that the Y does. My brother Jim and I are thrilled to be leading the effort to revitalize and expand our Y and its vital impact in our community. For us, the Y is truly a family affair as our mother Muriel served on the Board of Directors back in the early 1950s. My start at the Y was not as glamorous as my brother Jim’s ballet lessons, but I have been an active member of the Y for years and look forward to many more to come as our renewed Y takes shape.
	Rob Ashe General Manager, Business Intelligence and Performance Management, IBM Treasurer Personal success is unique to every resident in our community and is built one step at a time. My Y story includes quality time with my children and personal time working out. What I didn’t realize before I was invited to sit on cabinet is what my Y story didn’t include. How my participation at the Y was also contributing to providing emergency housing, employment counseling and newcomer services in our community. This is why I’m on cabinet. To share the complete Y story with our community and help build vital programs and services that allows others to build their own success… one step at a time.
	Marion Balla President, Adlerian Counselling & Consulting Group Co-Chair, Y Family Division The Y has been a major part of our family for the past 30 years. Swimming lessons, leadership skills, day camps and Camp Davern have supported both our daughters to be the capable adults they are today. My association with the Y began in the early '60s as a community social worker. I depended on the Y staff to support many vulnerable people who needed services not funded by any other group. The Y stretched to meet the needs then as it continues to do today. I am grateful and pleased to be part of the Y's Campaign Cabinet and Board of Directors whose leadership will ensure that the "Heart of the Ottawa Community" will be strengthened through the pivotal role the Y plays in the lives of thousands of people throughout our region.
	Jeremy Farr Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Past Chair, YMCA-YWCA Board of Directors The Y really brought me out of my shell as a shy, young boy at summer camp, away from home for the first time. I will always remember the Y camp counselor who took me under his wing and encouraged me to get involved in the various camp activities. Through his intervention I got involved, met a whole bunch of kids from a wide variety of backgrounds, and proudly hold the title “Y Paddle Tennis Champion 1971”.
	Bruce Hillary Retired President, Hillary's Cleaners Chair, Community Division What brings me back to the Capital Campaign is the great work our Y does with people of all ages, particularly young people. I was influenced at an early age by the Y when I first went to the YMCA summer camp at Golden Lake back in the forties. Over the years, I have worked for the Y both here in Ottawa and as Phys. Ed. Director of the Houston, Texas Y. As a local business person, former teacher and active member of my community, I am confident that the residents of Ottawa will rise to this unique challenge. I am very excited about being Chair of the Community Division - watch for the many special events in the months to come.
	Steve Lerner Principal/Broker, Primecorp Commercial Realty Inc. Co-Chair, Leadership Division To me, the Y is simply a wonderful place as a hub of activity and community spirit. I am constantly impressed with how the Y lives its value of inclusiveness by providing opportunities to everyone for personal growth and character development. I enjoy the Y as its excellent heath, recreation and fitness facilities allow me to pursue my personal fitness goals. The Y also allows me the important opportunity to give back to the community.
	Gavin Lumsden Supervising Producer, Rogers Television Co-Chair, Communications Committee My own Y story began as a five year-old, when my mother used to bundle me up and send me off (alone) on the city bus to swimming lessons with 50 cents in my pocket for bus fare - something no parent would allow these days! I know I learned some important lessons in those formative years and not just about front crawl and elementary back stroke. I also learned about independence, the value of money, and that if you spend your bus fare on a candy bar, it's a very long way to walk to Vanier from Argyle Avenue when you're only five years old. Fast forward nearly four decades and you'll find me at the same Y, now volunteering as a walking coach for children in the Y Kids Fit program! There, I continue to learn valuable life lessons about life. I am excited to be part of this important campaign, as it stands to position the Y to meet the needs of our community for many years to come.
	Jocelyn MacKenzie Financial Planner, Independent Planning Group, Ottawa Central Co-Chair, Major Gifts Division The Y is like family to me – literally! My family has been involved with the Y since the early 1900s. In fact, the Hamilton and Burlington Ys are named after my uncles. My experience with our Y here in Ottawa began when I was a young girl and over the years has included fitness classes, swim lessons and camps for my three children when I was a struggling single mom. I believe in the Y's values and mission, and as a local professional, the Y is the perfect place for me to contribute, to give back, and to help individuals and families.
	David Parkes Chairman, Doran Contractors Co-Chair, Leadership Division As an engineer by training and a businessman in the Ottawa construction industry, the Capital Campaign was a natural place for me to give my time , to support the success of the campaign that will revitalize and expand the Y’s programs and facilities. But there is more to it than that. I know the importance of giving back to the community that enabled us to build a successful business and raise a family in such a wonderful city. The Y has been a critical part of our community for years and provides countless programs and services to thousands of people annually. I decided to get involved with this campaign so that the Y can make an even bigger impact – on more children, families and adults - in the years to come.
	Colin Potts Retired Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP Co-Chair, Y Family Division I became involved with the Y as I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to the health and well-being of our community. I was recruited many years ago to join the Y Board and to take on the role of Treasurer. I soon realized the incredible extent and relevance of the Y’s work, its vision and the place it has held for more than 140 years as a centre of influence in our community. Excellence characterizes every aspect of the Y. I am pleased to help raise funds for the Capital Campaign within the Y Family itself and can say – from years of both professional and personal experience – that the Y is a fulfilling place to make an investment.
	Brian Scott President, Smith Petrie Carr & Scott Insurance Brokers Ltd. Member-at-Large Balancing family, work and community life are very important to me. For more than 20 years, I have been involved with the Y. Initially after bypass surgery I joined the Y to use the fitness facilities. Not only did I find a great place to work out and maintain my health but I found a community where families feel welcome and learn from each other. The Y offers many supportive resources to help families develop stronger bonds with one another – and with other families. I became an active volunteer more than 10 years ago. As past Chair of the Y Board, I look forward to this fundraising campaign to help our Y serve the next generation.
	Peter Scrivens Partner, Scrivens Family of Companies Co-Chair, Leadership Division Summer canoe trips on the Ottawa River are my fondest memory of our Y. One of these adventures was a two week, 80 mile trek when I was still a young boy. Looking back, this Y trip was a real growing up experience for me. The hard work and give-and-take of the journey – and the sense of accomplishment - really helped me develop as a young man. And today I still see our Y helping young people become active, confidant, contributing members of the community. I have been a member of our Y for a long time, so was happy to contribute in any way I could when asked to get involved with the Capital Campaign. I use the Y’s facilities on a regular basis and am still an avid canoer, thanks to the Y. I am fully committed to this campaign so that our Y can not only continue its work, but expand the scope of serving our community.
	Deirdre Speers President and CEO, National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA Deirdre Speers has 20 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit and municipal sectors specializing in social services, camping, child care, recreation and community development. She has been a long standing YMCA-YWCA employee, starting as a leader in training and progressing through the ranks in Ottawa and British Columbia to her current position of Acting CEO. She has worked as a professional and volunteer in the not-for profit sector including holding positions as Recreation Coordinator with the City of Victoria, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and a Board member with the United Way of Victoria, Ontario Camping Association as well as a National Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.