Leadership of the YMCAs of Québec

Stéphane Vaillancourt

“I am more than a President and CEO, I am a beacon.”

A successful career at Bell Canada, Stentor and Connexim led to senior management of the YMCAs of Québec in 2002. Throughout his career, Stéphane volunteered on many boards for organizations such as Petits frères des pauvres, Imagine Canada and CyberCap. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal and master’s degree in business administration from McGill University.

Stéphane is passionate about promoting access to a healthy, engaged and fulfilled life by encouraging physical activity, supporting school success and providing financial assistance to those who need it the most with the ultimate goal of building dynamic, inclusive and harmonious communities. 

Charmian Harvey

“I am more than a Vice-President of Brand Strategy and External Relations, I am a storyteller.”

Charmian Harvey has worked for the YMCA since 2011. Prior to the YMCA, she worked for the Chagnon Foundation and Éditions Yvon Blais, where she was the Executive Director.

Among her various responsibilities at the Y, she oversees the marketing, communications and technology departments and works closely with YMCA Canada and a number of national working groups on strategic initiatives. Her primary role is to tell the YMCA story so that people connect and engage with the Y brand.

Christine Lapointe-Lagueux

“I am more than a Vice-President of Human Resources, I am an opportunity creator.”

Christine joined the YMCA team in 2016. In the last 16 years, she has worked for a variety of organizations within the healthcare network, namely the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal and the CHSLD Juif de Montréal, and established her own human resource and management consulting firm.

She brings together employees and volunteers who share the same values and are deeply committed to their community, providing a healthy and welcoming environment and making the Y an employer of choice.

Daniele MacKinnon

“I am more than a Vice-President of Philanthropic Development, I am a dream catcher.”

A lawyer by training, Danièle MacKinnon began her career in philanthropy in 1999 at Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine. Since 2003, she has been responsible for leading all fundraising activities at Foundation of the YMCAs of Québec. She is in charge of offering donors who share our worldview the opportunity to help children grow and become positive, healthy, confident and productive young adults who will contribute to their communities in different ways throughout their lives. 

Néhal Nassif

“I am more than a Vice-President of Health, Fitness and Aquatics, I am an active leader.”

Néhal has headed many YMCA fitness and community centres since becoming part of the organization more than 10 years ago. In fact, she presided over the opening of the Cartierville YMCA in 2010. Néhal has been working in the recreational and community sector for 25 years, taking on different positions at the Montreal YM-YWHA and leading the JCC Maccabi Games in the early 2000s.

Her primary concern is to provide an outstanding experience and excellent service to customers while maintaining a continuous offer of innovative activities and services that address the health issues of communities served by YMCA centres. 

Sandra Pichette, CPA-CA

“I am more than a Vice-President of Finance and Administration, I am a treasure keeper.” 

Sandra Pichette has been watching over the finances of the YMCAs of Québec’s activities and programs for more than 15 years. She works closely with the Board Audit Committee of the YMCAs of Québec.

She counts on her experienced and principled team for accounting, finances, supply of provisions, risk management and insurance, thus preserving a high degree of transparency and credibility with our volunteers, financial partners and donors.

Michel P. Racine

"I am more than a Vice-President of Property, I am a hub builder."

Michel brings with him more than 30 years of experience and significant achievements in real estate acquisition, development and management. He is also seen as a mentor and visionary. During his career, he has held senior positions at various companies, such as Laurentian Bank of Canada, Cogir Real Estate, SITQ and Antrex Corp.

His priority is to offer welcoming, healthy and safe meeting places for all YMCA users. With his team, he also provides Y employees and volunteers with an inspiring workplace so they may deliver high-quality sports and community programming.

Richard St-Yves

“I am more than a Vice-President of Family and Community Support, I am a partnership activator.”

Richard has been at the YMCA for more than 35 years. In the last 30 years, he has led the development and management of many YMCA centres and was Director of Operations for the Association. 

Working with leading stakeholders in social development, he is now in charge of creating, implementing and supporting innovative and sustainable activities and services that aim to meet the needs of the community, especially those of young people aged 0 to 25. 

Daniel Tierney

“I am more than a Vice-President of Innovation and Development, I turn dreams into reality.”

Daniel has been working at the YMCA for almost 13 years, but his involvement began long before: as a member, a teen volunteer and a certified group course trainer. A graduate in occupational biology and kinesiology (B.Sc., M.Sc.), Daniel was a renowned singer-songwriter in a previous life and also had an international career in business development within the entertainment industry.

As part of his current role, Daniel is working on various development initiatives to increase the organization's presence within Montreal as well as all other regions of the province. He is dedicated to ensuring that our activities and services are offered to the largest number of people and that the YMCA evolves according to the latest trends in social innovation. His most recent accomplishments include the creation of numerous organizational strategic plans, the revitalization of Camp YMCA Kanawana, the establishment of the Cartierville YMCA Centre (opened in 2010) and the partnership with the City of Quebec for a new YMCA project in Saint-Roch (opening in the spring of 2020).