Youville Centre announcement of Executive Director Transition
Youville Centre is an innovative centre that inspires, educates and nurtures young mothers and their children to utilize their strengths and achieve their goals.
Located in Ottawa, Youville Centre is a non-profit registered charity that serves pregnant and parenting adolescents and their children. Accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, Youville offers a range of trauma-informed services designed to address the social determinants of health, reduce barriers to education and support young families through a licensed Child Development Program. In partnership with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Youville clients can complete their high school education onsite, empowering them to build a better future for themselves and create lasting intergenerational impact. Since 1985, Youville Centre has been an innovative organization that inspires, educates and nurtures young mothers and birthing parents to build on their strengths and achieve their goals.
Youville Centre’s Board of Directors would like to share that after leading the Centre for the past three years, Peter Embleton will be stepping down as Executive Director at Youville Centre. The Board has appointed Natasha McBrearty, previously in the role of Clinical Supervisor at the Centre, to take his place on November 3, 2025.
After a 38 year career in the education field, including school administration since the year 2000, both in Canada and internationally, Pete joined Youville Centre in the role of Deputy Director in January 2022, assuming the role of Executive Director in January 2023. In his time at Youville Centre he has made increasing awareness of Youville Centre’s mission of supporting young mothers and birth-giving parents a priority. Peter’s strategic foresight to hire Natasha McBrearty, first as a consultant and then Clinical Supervisor, helped stabilize the Intensive Treatment Support team during a period of change and strengthened the Centre’s readiness for our 2025 quality assurance accreditation review, while also ensuring a seamless leadership transition.
Pete says “As I step away from this role, I do so with confidence in Youville’s future. As the next Executive Director, Natasha will inherit a strong, vibrant community committed to ensuring every young mother, birthing parent and child has the opportunity to learn and grow.” and “It has been an honour to serve, and I will remain forever grateful to have had this opportunity.”
Youville’s incoming Executive Director, Natasha McBrearty, is a registered psychotherapist and experienced health administrator, consultant, and leader with more than two decades of work in the child, youth, and family mental health sector. She brings a strong track record of building partnerships and leading collaborative initiatives that strengthen systems of care and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. Throughout her career, Natasha has held leadership roles at organizations such as Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Her work has focused on program innovation, quality improvement, and organizational development, advancing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the mental health sector.
“It’s an incredible honour to step into this role,” says Natasha. “Youville Centre has a long and proud history of supporting two generations at once—empowering young mothers, birthing parents, and their children to thrive. I’m inspired every day by the resilience of our clients and the dedication of our team, and I look forward to continuing to build on Youville’s legacy of compassion, innovation, and impact.”
Youville Centre’s Board Chair/President, Andre Potvin says “As President of the Board of Directors, I’m very pleased to welcome Natasha McBrearty as our new Executive Director (ED) for Youville Centre, starting November 3, 2025. Having served as Clinical Supervisor at the Centre, I’m thrilled that Natasha will continue to bring her outstanding expertise and zeal to the Centre in her new role!
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Embleton, on behalf of the Board, for his dedication, passion and commitment to the Youville Centre. During his tenure, Peter guided our organization with integrity and compassion. His dedication strengthened our programs and deepened our community partnerships. We wish Peter the very best in his future endeavours.”
Andre Potvin, Chair/President, Youville Centre Board of Directors;
On behalf of Youville Centre’s Board of Directors and the Youville Centre Leadership Team
Any questions can be directed to communications@youvillecentre.org