Do you believe that every child deserves a bright future?
Do you feel strongly that young mothers deserve the tools and supports to achieve their dreams?
Youville Centre is looking for compassionate, engaged and motivated individuals to join our Board of Directors. If you are passionate about helping adolescent mothers and their children become self-sufficient and successful, please consider applying, and support our non-profit organization in this important volunteer capacity.
Read the job description here to learn more about the role of a Board Member.
The recruitment and selection of volunteers for Youville Centre’s Board of Directors reflects the principles of transparency, objectivity, and attention to matching the needs of the organization and representing the diversity of our community. Youville Centre strives to be an accepting environment free of discrimination and harassment, and align with our Guiding Principles found here.
Apply now! Online Application for Youville Centre Board of Directors
*New applicants will be considered for any vacancies for the 2024-2025 year; AGM is held annually in September.
Youville Centre Board of Directors
Youville Centre is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our current Board Members are listed below. Scroll down for full biographies.
Directors
- Dr Gillian Mann
- Marjorie Jill Bennett
- Dr Rana Pishva
- Stephen McCabe
- Nina Jetha
- Sundeep Virdi
Biographies
Chair/President - Andre Potvin
My name is Andre Potvin and I am honoured to be a member of the Board of Directors for the Youville Centre. I am a firm believer in doing whatever it takes to support young people to ensure mental wellness and the advancement of education. The commitment and efforts made by the staff of the Youville Centre for young mothers is truly amazing and certainly fits my philosophy as an educator. I'm a retired educator from the Ottawa Catholic School Board having served as a teacher at St. Matthew High School and Lester B. Pearson High School. I then served as a vice-principal at St. Paul High School followed by principalships in four different high schools - St. Matthew HS, Lester B. Pearson HS, Notre Dame HS and St. Mark HS. I also had the opportunity to serve as President of the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario - a non-profit organization serving Catholic principals and vice-principals across the province. I currently serve as a part-time professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. I'm blessed to have three beautiful daughters, all living in Ottawa. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to ensure the best support for the staff and young mothers at the Youville Centre.
Treasurer - Jean Laurin
I retired in 2016 from the position of President at The ENCON Group (now Victor) after 32 years with the firm. Motivating and encouraging young people as they grew their careers was a key part of the values we instilled in management. During that time, I was also a Board member of the YMCA of the National Capital and after six years, retired as the Chair of the Y in 2021. I was raised in Hawkesbury Ontario by a single mom who worked tirelessly to ensure her children had many opportunities to succeed in life. Joining this Board had a great appeal to me as a result. The motto “Inspire, Educate and Nurture” really hit home for me on a personal level. The success of the young people at the Youville Centre will be a highly motivating factor for my involvement going forward. I hope to bring my experience as a manager, Board member and father of two great daughters and help the centre in any way I can. I truly appreciate being given the opportunity to help in the success of a truly great organisation.
Secretary - Sarah Niman
Sarah is a mother of four growing, curious kids and partner to her high school sweetheart. She believes in infinite do-overs and the power of community. In her decade of work as a journalist and her new career as a human rights lawyer, she has witnessed the potency and potential of supported mothers. This faith in community and motherhood brought her to the Youville Centre to help others realize their power. Sarah fuels her ambitions with local food, yoga and trail runs.
Director - Dr. Gillian Mann
Gillian has lived in six countries and worked in many more. She is an anthropologist and an expert in child development who works as both an academic and as a consultant to UNICEF globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. In her work and life, she has seen the power of care, compassion and support to transform the lives of individuals and families. She believes strongly in the dignity of all people and the importance of second chances. Gillian lives with her three children and husband in Ottawa, where she enjoys an outdoor life as well as running, cooking, eating and reading.
Director - (Marjorie) Jill Bennett
With over 40 years of experience in education, I am an Educational Consultant serving as the Education Liaison at the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, where I created the Pod Model for Learning Support for Youth in Care aged 14-18+ and support all children and youth K-12 with whatever they need to succeed in school. I also consult part-time for the Connections Education Program at RNJ Youth Services and previously chaired the STEP Program with the Ottawa Network for Education, focusing on youth with problematic substance and technology use. My past roles include Education Officer at the Ottawa Ministry of Education, overseeing mental health and special education for nine English school boards, and extensive positions ranging from teacher to superintendent within the Upper Canada and Ottawa Carleton District School Boards. Additionally, I have consulted internationally on Special Education policies in Turkey and remain actively involved in the community as a Director on the Boundless School Board and as a member of the Planet Youth Lanark County Steering Committee. I am a wife, mother of 2 boys and very proud grandmother. My personal hobbies include time lakeside, fitness and pickleball. I am committed to supporting the young mothers and staff at the Youville Centre.
Director - Dr. Rana Pishva
I am a clinical psychologist in Ottawa. I work with children, adolescents, and parents. I have an attachment-based clinical practice, working with individuals with a history of trauma, as well as issues related to peri-natal mental health and infant mental health. I am a certified facilitator of the Circle of Security program, and have trainings from the Mindsight Institute. Originally from Montreal, I completed my PhD in Kingston, and also lived in Thunder Bay, a city that still holds a big part of my heart. I joined the Youville Board of Directors to give back to the community and expand the impact I can have with my clinical knowledge, while drawing from my experience as a mother of two little children. I know that parenting requires a village, and truly believe that all mothers deserve support and connection.
Director - Stephen McCabe
Steve is recently retired after serving for 36 years in the education field, serving in the roles of teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal and Superintendent with the Ottawa Catholic School Board. As a superintendent, Steve held the portfolios of Leading & Learning (Staff Development) and Human Resources, where much of his work focussed on staff wellbeing. Through the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association, Steve has served as a mentor to new SOs for the past seven years and is currently working as a Wellness Advisor with the EdCan Network, a national organization bringing support and resources to member school boards across Canada. Steve and his wife Nancy live in Kanata and have three adult children, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters. Steve is very happy to be part of this wonderful organization supporting the staff, mothers and children of the Youville community.
Director - Nina Jetha
Bio Coming Soon
Director - Sundeep Virdi
I’m a lawyer and lifelong environmentalist committed to transformational change. I previously served as Chair and Board Member of EnviroCentre, where I championed gender parity, modernized policies and procedures, and led performance management of the Executive Director. My leadership style is both strategic and compassionate, rooted in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. I’m skilled at fostering collaboration, driving policy improvements, and creating positive organizational cultures that empower both staff and leadership to thrive. I joined Youville because I’ve experienced the challenges of raising a toddler while pursuing my educational goals. I could not have completed my law degree without the unwavering support from my husband and in-laws. Youville’s legacy resonates with me because I believe that empowering young mothers nurtures a generation of compassionate and ambitious children. I’m honoured to serve on Youville’s Board and contribute to advancing its mission and vision.