October is Women's History Month, an opportunity to recognize the women whose outstanding leadership has created lasting change in our communities. At YWCA Toronto, we are proud to honour the history and legacy of Heather McGregor, our retired CEO, whose more than three decades helped transform the organization. We are also thrilled to celebrate the history in the making of our new CEO, Deepa Mattoo, who is the first racialized woman to lead YWCA Toronto. Both have a deep-seated history of evoking radical change.
About Heather
When Heather began her tenure in 1995, YWCA Toronto served approximately 7,300 program participants annually and operated 145 housing units. Today, nearly 13,000 women, girls and gender diverse people access our programs and services annually, and our housing portfolio has grown to 824 units, reflecting a deep and ongoing commitment to supporting women, girls, gender diverse people, and families.
One of Heather's most significant contributions was expanding access to safe, affordable, and supportive housing, work that earned her national recognition through her appointment to the Order of Canada. Today, YWCA Toronto operates housing programs across Toronto – from Pape Avenue Apartments in South Riverdale and Bergamot Apartments in Rexdale, to 1st Stop Woodlawn Residence in Rosedale and the South Etobicoke Mental Health and Housing Program, providing safe, supportive homes for women, gender diverse people, and their families. We also operate Scatterhomes, Church Street Apartments, and our largest site, the Elm Centre complex. This complex includes 300 units of permanent, deeply affordable housing along with community spaces and on site supports.
Heather also championed the growth of programs that help women, gender diverse people, and their families achieve economic security and independence. Under her leadership, YWCA Toronto's employment and training portfolio grew from four programs to thirteen. Today, participants can develop new skills, pursue education, explore careers in skilled trades and technology, strengthen language and digital literacy skills, and access newcomer settlement support. Through partnerships with employers across the city, these programs continue to connect people with meaningful employment opportunities and long-term career pathways.
Advocacy was another cornerstone of Heather's leadership. In 1995, a dedicated group of volunteers on the Social Action Committee led much of YWCA Toronto’s advocacy work. Today, that work has evolved into a committed Advocacy and Communications Department that advances policy and legislative change on issues including affordable housing, gender-based violence prevention, accessible childcare, and gender equity.
Earlier this year, Heather retired, marking the close of an extraordinary chapter in YWCA Toronto's history.
To honour her remarkable legacy, YWCA Toronto established the Heather M. McGregor Fund and raised over $631,000 to help sustain and strengthen the continuum of care Heather built by supporting affordable housing initiatives, services for survivors of gender-based violence, holistic mental health supports, advocacy efforts, and innovative programming for future generations. Donations can be made at: https://www.ywcatoronto.org/supportus/hmmfund.
About Deepa
This month, we also honour the historic start of a new chapter at YWCA Toronto led by a visionary leader, Deepa Mattoo, who was appointed CEO of YWCA Toronto in April 2026.
As the organization continues to advance its strategic vision, the Board sought a leader who could honour YWCA Toronto’s legacy, values and mission, strengthen its impact; and guide its next chapter with clarity and purpose. Deepa’s demonstrated history of challenging systemic bias and creating more just and equitable spaces for women, girls and gender diverse people aligns closely with this vision.
Deepa is an award-winning lawyer, nationally recognized feminist, and a racialized immigrant woman whose decades-long work in gender equity, social justice and advocacy positions her exceptionally well to steward YWCA Toronto into the future. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, overseeing multiple departments and directing the Clinic’s intervention and advocacy efforts.
A dedicated educator and community leader, Deepa served for nearly a decade as an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School co-directing the Feminist Advocacy Clinical Program, and contributes extensively to non-profit governance, including serving as Board Chair of Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke and Inter Pares.
Her contributions to the feminist movement include appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada, Parliamentary committees, and United Nations civil society forums. In 2023, she was appointed to the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) under the Chief Coroner of Ontario. Deepa’s work has earned widespread recognition, including the Law Society Medal and YWCA Toronto’s own Women of Distinction Award in 2022, which celebrates her advocacy and commitment to advancing access to justice. Deepa’s leadership has already fostered organizational evolution, while keeping advocacy and systemic change central to YWCA Toronto's mission.
Deepa’s vision and experience will support continued growth and innovation while ensuring stability and continuity for the communities, partners and donors who rely on YWCA Toronto’s programs, services and advocacy.
Learn more about Deepa in our blog: ‘In conversation with Deepa Mattoo, YWCA Toronto’s NEW CEO’, wherein she shares her vision for the future, the urgent issues facing women and gender diverse individuals in Toronto, what drives her leadership and much more: Blog | In conversation with Deepa Mattoo, YWCA Toronto’s NEW CEO.
Learn more about all our programs: https://www.ywcatoronto.org/ourprograms