YMCA - Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford announce new Board appointments

By Staff

June 3^rd, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

The Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford YMCA welcomed new Board leadership to guide the organization into its next chapter.

The Board of Directors has elected Paul Gibel as its new Chair for a two-year term (May 2025–May 2027).

Joining Paul in leadership are Marie-Claude Evangelista and Yohana Otite, who will serve as Co Vice-Chairs of the Board. Both bring significant professional and lived experience to the YMCA’s governance team.

(from the left): Manny Figueiredo, President & CEO of YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford; Alyssa Lai, Past Board Chair; and Paul Gibel, newly elected Board Chair.

Paul brings a wealth of experience in finance, governance, and community leadership to the role. A retired partner with Doane Grant Thornton in Hamilton, Paul has deep roots in the region and a long-standing commitment to service. He previously served as Chair of the Hamilton Community Foundation and President of the Rotary Club of Hamilton. He is also a past member of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

For the past several years, Paul has chaired the YMCA’s Audit/Enterprise Risk Management/Endowment Fund Committee, while also serving on the Board Development and CEO Performance Appraisal Committees. He recently concluded a two-year term as Vice-Chair.

During the 169th Annual General Meeting, we also took the time to celebrate the impact made and to recognize the outstanding leadership of Alyssa Lai, whose term as Board Chair concludes this spring.

Marie-Claude Evangelista and Yohana Otite, who will serve as Co Vice-Chairs of the Board. Both bring significant professional and lived experience to the YMCA’s governance team.

Marie-Claude (MC) Evangelista, C. Dir. is Vice-President at Fairstone Bank. A Burlington resident with a strong record in operational excellence, risk management, and community involvement, she has served on the YMCA’s Audit/Enterprise Risk Management/Endowment Fund Committee.

Yohana Otite, currently the Human Rights and Equity Advisor (HREA) at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, brings experience in strategic leadership in the non-profit and education sectors, focused on promoting human rights, equity and inclusion. She has served on the YMCA’s Board Development and CEO Performance Appraisal Committees.