YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford Board Members Elect New Board Chair and Vice-Chairs at 169th Annual General Meeting

At its 169th Annual General Meeting, YMCA  Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford celebrated another year of community impact, recognized dedicated leadership, and welcomed new Board leadership to guide the organization into its next chapter.

 

The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford Board of Directors has elected Paul Gibel as its new Chair for a two-year term (May 2025–May 2027). Paul brings a wealth of experience in finance, governance, and community leadership to the role. A retired partner with Doane Grant Thornton in Hamilton, Paul has deep roots in the region and a long-standing commitment to service. He previously served as Chair of the Hamilton Community Foundation and President of the Rotary Club of Hamilton. He is also a past member of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

 

For the past several years, Paul has chaired the YMCA’s Audit/Enterprise Risk Management/Endowment Fund Committee, while also serving on the Board Development and CEO Performance Appraisal Committees. He recently concluded a two-year term as Vice-Chair.

 

“Paul’s steady leadership and strategic insight have been instrumental to our organization,” said Manny Figueiredo, President and CEO of YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford. “We are thrilled to welcome him as Board Chair as we look ahead to the next phase of our work. At our 169th Annual General Meeting, we also took the time to celebrate the impact we’ve made together and to recognize the outstanding leadership of Alyssa Lai, whose term as Board Chair concludes this spring. We’re grateful to Alyssa for her dedication and look forward to her continued guidance as Past-Chair.”

 

Joining Paul in leadership are Marie-Claude Evangelista and Yohana Otite, who will serve as Co Vice-Chairs of the Board. Both bring significant professional and lived experience to the YMCA’s governance team.

 

Marie-Claude (MC) Evangelista, C. Dir. is Vice-President at Fairstone Bank. A Burlington resident with a strong record in operational excellence, risk management, and community involvement, she has served on the YMCA’s Audit/Enterprise Risk Management/Endowment Fund Committee.

 

Yohana Otite, currently the Human Rights and Equity Advisor (HREA) at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, brings experience in strategic leadership in the non-profit and education sectors, focused on promoting human rights, equity and inclusion. She has served on the YMCA’s Board Development and CEO Performance Appraisal Committees.

 

Paul, Marie-Claude, and Yohana are part of a diverse group of Board of Directors, composed of experts and leaders in such areas as finance, education, equity and human rights and real estate. This renewed leadership team will help guide the YMCA’s strategic priorities in youth development, staff and volunteer engagement, and senior wellness, with a continued focus on community transformation and equity.