Sault YMCA welcomes back familiar face as interim CEO

The YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie has hired a second interim CEO after the sudden departures of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer over the summer.

In August, Mary Kloosterman — who has 20 years of experience with YMCAs in Kingston, London, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent and Goderich — replaced former chief executive officer Robert Burns on an interim basis. By then, Burns had been at the helm of the local YMCA for less than two years, since October 2021. 

At the time, the local Y also confirmed the departure of CFO Michael Goodship, but declined to provide further details on either of the changes in senior leadership due to confidentiality concerns.

Today, the local YMCA announced that John Haddock — who served as CEO from 1990 to 1997 — is the new interim boss.

Below is the full news release from the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA:

The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA and its Board of Directors is pleased to introduce John Haddock as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Haddock will be well known to longer-term YMCA members and to members of the community, having served as the CEO of the local YMCA from 1990 to 1997. 

“This is a pivotal time in our YMCA’s revitalization and post-pandemic recovery. John has a long history of YMCA leadership as well as a deep connection to the community of Sault Ste Marie,” says Elise Schofield, Chair of the SSM YMCA Board of Directors. “YMCA members, supporters, and the community can be confident that this next step supports the organization’s efforts to deliver a local YMCA that will be resilient and impactful.” 

Haddock brings with him over 30 years of CEO experience within the Canadian YMCA movement. He retired in 2016 from his leadership role at the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo where he led one of the largest community organizations in the region, and provided local, provincial, and national leadership within the YMCA movement with a passion to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, adults, and families. Since retiring, he has volunteered his time and experience to community organizations locally and globally. He has worked closely with YMCA Canada and the Africa Alliance of YMCA’s Leadership Initiative and has provided advice and support to organizations like Link Charity Canada Inc., Operation Mobilization, and the University of Waterloo. 

“I’m extremely honoured to return to Sault Ste. Marie to work with the Board, staff and community as we plan the next steps for our local YMCA,” says Haddock. “The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA is a cornerstone of the community. There is a shared history to the local YMCA that stretches generations, that includes fitness, aquatics, daycares, employment services, education, and a commitment to helping people develop a healthy spirit, mind, and body in an environment that is welcoming and inclusive.” 

In the immediacy, Haddock will be connecting with staff, community members, and partners with a focus on identifying strategic priorities including the YMCA’s impact, sustainability, and relevancy. Haddock notes that his intention is to establish a course for the YMCA that focuses on long term growth and viability, supported by critical assessments of the strengths of the organization and the risks that it faces. 

He suggests that “like many charitable organizations and non profits, the local YMCA has endured challenges brought on by the economic reality of the past several years. Increased operational costs, coupled with inflation and a slow return to pre-COVID levels of participation mean that the agency is at a juncture where it needs to carefully consider the optimal methods for delivery of YMCA programs and services into the foreseeable future.” 

Haddock takes over from Mary Kloosterman who assumed Interim CEO duties in August. Kloosterman is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in YMCAs including in Kingston, London, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent, and Goderich. 

“The Board of Directors is grateful to Mary for her service and guidance as Interim CEO as we worked to identify the key next steps in operations and opportunities to move us forward in our mission,” says Schofield. “The Board looks forward to continuing to lean on Mary’s expertise through her new role as a special advisor to the organization.”