Meet Our CEOs
YWCA Banff
Ebony Rempel
Ebony Rempel has been working in the field of gender equality for the last ten years. Ebony has a bachelor’s degree in Health Science, a Master of Science degree specializing in Health Promotion, and currently a PhD candidate at Western University. Her doctorate work is focused on understanding the support, information, and service needs of women who access second-stage shelters. She was recently an informant on a national second-stage shelter research study and has presented at over 30 conferences across the globe, including most recently the Global Network of Women’s Shelters Conference in November 2019 in Taiwan.
Ebony was the past Executive Director of Odyssey House: a 42-bed emergency shelter, 14 apartment unit second stage shelter, a licensed day-care, a public education and communications team, and a traveling outreach/community support team growing the operating budget to 3.6 million dollars. In her time with Odyssey House, she supporting the Board of Directors in their shift to a governance model, doubled monetary donations, developed an interagency collective impact framework for addressing the systems which perpetuate family violence (including a integrated Domestic Violence Court Support Team), maintained organizational sustainability, and created a culture of inclusivity and trauma-informed practice. She is working with the Canadian partnership for Women and Children’s Heath (CanWaCH) on the Equal Futures Network which is bringing together key players across Canada working in the field of gender equality.
Ebony was the past co-chair of IMPACT, a provincial organization with a primary prevention focus on eradicating domestic and sexual violence. Ebony is eager to work with those already doing incredible work at the YWCA Banff and community of the Bow Valley. Ebony is passionate about creating inclusive communities and believes in working from a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach with clients, community, and employees.
Ebony lives in Banff with her partner Jamie, who love to explore different parts of the globe together which supports her love of international cuisine and cooking.
YW Calgary
Sue Tomney
As Chief Executive Officer of YW Calgary, Sue Tomney is responsible for the strategic leadership of more than 250 diverse team members who offer shelter, housing, counselling, language and employment programs to some of the most vulnerable women and families in Calgary. In September 2019, YW opened the doors to the YW Hub facility in Inglewood with a focus on building a sustainable model to support families in the community for years to come.
Sue has held senior-level positions with both non-profits and corporations prior to joining YW in December 2010: VP, Marketing and Communications for Imagine Canada; Director of Communications and External Affairs at TransAlta Corporation; and Manager, Public Relations & Community Investment for Canadian Airlines International.
In March 2020, Sue was honoured to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Women. Currently, she is Chair of the Integrating Committee for YWCA Canada and Chair of the Governance Committee for Calgary Housing Company. She is also past-chair of CanadaHelps.org. Recent voluntary sector experiences include serving as a member of the Premier’s Advisory Committee on the Economy; board member for Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations; cabinet member for Calgary’s United Way Campaign; governor for Education Matters – Calgary’s Public Education Trust; and executive committee member of the 2008 Governor General’s Leadership Conference.
Sue loves spending time with her three kids Aedan, Liam and Abby and hiking with her beloved Golden Retrievers Rooney and Teddy.
YWCA Edmonton
Katherine O’Neill
Katherine O’Neill joined YWCA Edmonton as Chief Executive Officer on March 16, 2020. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of girls and women and inspiring people to hear the important call of community service.
Katherine has worked in leadership positions in communications and politics throughout her career. A writer by trade, she spent most of her journalism career working as a national correspondent with the Globe and Mail, dispatching stories from across Canada and even the battlefields of Afghanistan in 2008.
After leaving journalism, the mother of three led several political organizations in Alberta. She also ran a communications company that specialized in crisis communications and media relations.
Katherine has led and volunteered with several not-for-profit boards and committees, including organizations with a focus on early childhood education, literacy and disability services. She currently chairs the River Valley Alliance board as a director-at-large for the City of Edmonton.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University.
YWCA Lethbridge
Jill Young
A proven leader in business operations, Jill Young brings extensive experience to her position as YWCA Lethbridge’s Chief Executive Officer. Jill has nearly 20 years of experience in leadership and business operations, venue management, and hospitality, most recently as a Director with Oilers Entertainment Group.
Jill has always enjoyed the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of the business world. Whether it was during her time with the Edmonton Oilers, West Edmonton Mall, Caesars Entertainment, or Dalhousie University – she has continually found herself as a key contributor and leader of business operations, teams, and initiatives.
Committed to offering programs and services that support women, families, and strengthen communities, she has a passion for leading others by leveraging voices that have been silenced as well as empowering others to live out their purpose. She works from an empowerment model which aligns with the mission of the YWCA Lethbridge which is to enhance lives through personal empowerment and supportive community.