Leadership of the YMCAs of Québec

Stéphane Vaillancourt

President and CEO

Actively involved in community and philanthropic development for more than 20 years, Stéphane became the President and CEO of the YMCAs of Québec in 2002. He has successfully lead the opening of the Cartierville YMCA in 2010 and that of the Saint-Roch YMCA, which is slated to open in 2020, and guided different teams for the renovation of Camp YMCA Kanawana, the growth of the YMCA International Language School as well the expansion of the Alternative Suspension program.

Passionate about social development, Stéphane has also served as the chair of the board of directors of Petits Frères de Québec and Imagine Canada, a member of the National Executive Committee of the Governor General’s National Leadership Conference, and a board member of CyberCap, an organization that uses digital media to help troubled youth.

With management experience in strategic and business development within large companies such as Bell Canada, Stentor and Connexim, Stéphane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the École polytechnique de Montréal and a Master of Business Administration from McGill University.

Christine Lapointe-Lagueux

Vice-President, Human Resources and Transformation Leader

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

Vice-President, Philanthropic Development

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

Vice-President, Health, Fitness and Aquatics

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. 

Michel P. Racine

Vice-President, Property, Real Estate Management, Procurement and Information Technology

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

Vice-President, Finance and Administration

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.