After 32 years as the executive director of Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCSS), Lois Wynne announces her retirement on June 1, 2018.
Lois was hired as the Coordinator for Squamish Community Services Society in 1986. At that time there were 5 staff and an annual budget of approx. $46,000; by her retirement, Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCSS), has grown to 160 staff and an annual budget of approximately $9.5m. The agency has three office locations; the head office in Squamish, an office in Whistler and an office in Pemberton.
During her career, Lois has been part of a growing agency, it’s roots in family and children’s services, expanding now to include over 40 programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, youth, child care, early child development services, children and adult counselling, and 154 residential housing units.
One of Lois’s proudest moments was the opening of the new Centrepoint building. Through the generosity and foresight of the Squamish United Church, a partnership was formed to development the downtown church property to include a new sanctuary for Squamish United and a new building for SSCSS that brought together most of its programming and administration including child care services and 32 units of affordable housing.
Lois has lived in Squamish for 43 years, and is married with 3 children and one grandchild. “This has been an amazing experience!” said Lois, “I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of the SSCSS journey. Leaving is a happy/sad moment for me, but I look forward to retirement with my husband and all the new adventures ahead.”
Jaye Russell joins SSCSS as the new executive director in early May. With over 15 years providing leadership and innovation to local communities facing complex social issues. She is well-known and respected for her unique ability to build relationships and reach solutions through her honesty and sensitivity. She has held senior positions for the City of Calgary and the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Vancouver Aquarium and the City of Vancouver.
Ms. Russell holds an Honours Degree in International Development from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Victoria.
