Announcement: Joel Côté, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy

YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is thrilled to announce the appointment of Joel Côté as Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, effective November 24, 2025.

Joel joins the YMCA with more than two decades of leadership in philanthropy and advancement across the education and health sectors. A proud Hamiltonian with deep community roots, Joel brings both professional expertise and a personal connection to the YMCA, having built lasting family memories through swimming, fitness, and camp experiences that deepened his appreciation for community and belonging.

Throughout his 20-plus-year career, Joel has earned a reputation as an authentic, values-driven leader who inspires teams, strengthens relationships, and delivers exceptional results. At McMaster University, he led fundraising teams across the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Humanities, and the Faculty of Science, achieving record-breaking results in new gifts, pledges, and bequest confirmations. He has also held a senior leadership role at Trillium Health Partners Foundation, where he built innovative donor engagement programs and advanced planned-giving strategies that deepened community impact.

Joel’s approach to philanthropy reflects the spirit of the YMCA, one rooted in relationships, collaboration, and community. He believes that every gift tells a story and that every act of generosity can transform lives. As a member of the Executive Team, Joel will lead the execution of the Y Saves Lives Comprehensive Campaign and advance the YMCA’s strategic vision through an inspired culture of giving.

A graduate of Brock University’s Honours Bachelor of Sport Management program, Joel has also completed advanced leadership and fundraising programs through the Peter Lougheed Leadership Institute and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).