YWCA Toronto Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer
March 11th, 2026
The YWCA Toronto Board of Directors is pleased to announce that, following a rigorous and highly competitive national search supported by external expertise and guided by the Board, Deepa Mattoo has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Toronto, effective April 15, 2026.
This transition comes at a pivotal moment for YWCA Toronto. As the organization continues to advance its strategic vision, the Board sought a leader who could honour its mission, strengthen its impact, and guide its next chapter with clarity and purpose.
“After an extensive national search, the Board is confident that Deepa Mattoo is the right leader to guide the organization forward,” said Board President Sarah Yaffe. “Her long-standing commitment to gender equity and justice aligns deeply with our mission and the values that have shaped YWCA Toronto for decades. Her proven strategic leadership will be essential as she stewards the organization into its next chapter.”
Deepa is an award-winning lawyer and a nationally recognized feminist with many years of experience in gender based violence response, social justice advocacy, and organizational leadership. Since 2019, she has served as the Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, overseeing multiple departments and directing the Clinic’s intervention and advocacy efforts.
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), reflecting her national leadership and commitment to advancing equity. Deepa’s work has been recognized through several honours, 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. Her longstanding connection to YWCA Toronto grounds this appointment in a shared mission and values.
For more than 30 years, under the leadership of outgoing CEO Heather McGregor, the organization has grown in reach, influence, and impact. Her dedication to advancing gender equity and building a resilient, mission-driven organization has laid a strong foundation for this next chapter.
The Board is confident that Deepa’s vision and experience will guide YWCA Toronto forward while maintaining the stability and continuity that partners, donors, and communities rely on.
MEDIA
Sami Pritchard, Director of Advocacy and Communications, YWCA Toronto
437.286.9627 | spritchard@ywcatoronto.org