Leadership Team
Partnered with the Board of Directors, the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce Leadership Team is committed to building healthy communities.
Sarah Cowley
Chief Executive Officer
Sarah lives in rural Grey County where she resides with her family and serves her local community, living the YMCA values of belonging, caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. With almost 20 years of operational and strategic leadership experience in health and social services, and having been responsible for local, regional, provincial and nationally-renowned programs, Sarah is an experienced and enthusiastic community leader who is known in the Grey Bruce community as someone who is passionate about building strategic and collaborative relationships that drive efficient, effective service delivery and positive outcomes for clients, staff and the communities at large. Sarah holds a Master in Nursing degree (University of Toronto) and is a Certified Health Executive (Canadian College of Health Leaders).
Gil Zulueta
Chief Financial Officer
Gil Muñoz Zulueta is a seasoned financial executive with a rich background in strategic and financial management across various sectors. As the Chief Financial Officer of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, Gil is committed to fostering a nurturing and robust community through inclusive opportunities for personal development.
With a career spanning over twenty years, Gil has honed his expertise in both the non-profit and for-profit realms, including prestigious institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum and Ontario Tech University, as well as the Toronto Region Research Alliance and the University Health Network. His early career saw a progression through pivotal roles in auditing, financial management, information technology, and business management within diverse and international settings.
Gil’s professional credentials are as impressive as his experience, holding designations as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His leadership extends beyond financial oversight, as he actively supports the Finance & Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, ensuring the YMCA’s financial strategies align with its mission to build a healthier community.
Gil Muñoz Zulueta has been recognized as one of Toronto’s Top 25 CFOs for 2024, an award that highlights outstanding financial leadership and innovative contributions to the city’s economic sector. This accolade underscores commitment to excellence and influence in the field of finance.
Nic Hayne
Director of Facilities
Vic Petersons (Radley)
Director of Camp Presqu'ile (Rotary Club of Owen Sound Partnership)
Vic has been a resident of Thunder Bay for the past 8 years. There, she attended Lakehead University, graduating with an honours Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation and a concurrent Bachelor of Geography degree. Her career experience includes being the Head Trip at Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park and the Waterfront Director at Camp Otterdale near Smiths Falls. In recent years, she has been the General Manager of a popular pub in Thunder Bay.
Since her first experience as a camper as a young teenager, Vic has had a relentless passion for everything outdoors…camping, canoeing, orienteering, skiing and watersports. She has held certifications as a ski instructor, a lifeguard, a white-water rescue technician and a wilderness first responder. Vic loves problem-solving, navigating tricky situations with campers, and helping them discover their passions and build confidence. She believes that summer camp helps shape individuals who are engaged in and connected to their community. The practice of debriefing and sharing “roses and thorns” each night fosters a youth’s ability to self-reflect and grow. Vic believes that attending camp helps individuals cultivate a lifelong love and respect for the natural environment.
Vic’s career goal has always been to become a mentor, facilitator, and director at a summer camp. She is excited to create and lead positive experiences for campers and staff members at Rotary YMCA Camp Presqu’ile in the summer of 2025.
Cyndy Jefferson
Director of Child Care
Cyndy has been a long-time leader in the child care sector. A Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), Cyndy has worked in the child care field for over 33 years, including 29 years working for the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo, holding the positions of Supervisor, Director of Operations, and eventually becoming General Manager where she provided strategic leadership and tactical oversight of 15 licensed child care and youth development programs. Cyndy also provided leadership for the Student Nutrition Program that included contract oversight of delivery partners on behalf of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Cyndy has also served her profession as an elected council member of the College of Early Childhood Educators that has included chairing the Registration Committee and the Finance and Audit Committee. On a personal note, Cyndy and her husband John are parents to 4 adult children and they have 3 beautiful granddaughters. As a family, they love spending time on the waters of Georgian Bay; boating, swimming and exploring the shoreline.
Matt Shute
Director of Community Initiatives & Employment Services
Matt previously worked as the Director of Housing and Outreach for CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services, prior to coming to the YMCA. Before moving back to Grey-Bruce with his family, Matt lead the high and medium support housing services within the Addiction and Mental Health portfolio of St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay for 11 years. Matt holds a Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Organizational Behaviour and Community Development from Lakehead University, and he also brings with him 20 years of experience in geriatric psychiatry, seniors’ health, dementia and responsive behaviours, youth in transition, rural and remote homelessness, supportive housing, supportive employment, health human resource recruitment and retention. Matt is a member of numerous committees, including Immigration and Population Health, Youth Homelessness, Rural and Remote Homelessness, Integrated Employment Services and Anti-Oppressive System Design. Matt loves spending time with his wife and two children and also looks forward to running on the many trails networks throughout Grey-Bruce.
Brandon Downing
Manager of Health, Fitness & Aquatics
Born and raised in Owen Sound, Brandon started at the Y in 2016 as a Fitness Programmer. His wife, Sarah, joined the Y with an assisted membership shortly after their first child was born. This gave her the opportunity to not only exercise, but to meet new friends in similar stages of life. She was so positive about her experience with the Y, that Brandon jumped at the chance to apply for a position in the Fitness and Wellness Department. After stints as Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist, Fitness and Wellness Lead, and Supervisor of Fitness and Wellness, Brandon was named Manager of Health, Fitness and Aquatics in July, 2024. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Kinesiology and Health Science as well as an Athletic Therapy Certificate from York University. He has also spent time on the training staff for the Owen Sound Attack and Owen Sound Senior B North Stars. Outside of work, Brandon loves spending time with his wife and four kids, hiking, and researching his family history.
Deborah Nott
Manager of Human Resources
Deborah recently relocated to Owen Sound to be closer to family. She is a Certified Human Resources Leader who also has her International Coaching Accreditation. Deborah has significant experience as a human resources professional and team developer. She has spent most of her career working for prestigious firms such as Deloitte, Dentons LLP and Thomson Nelson. This is her first foray into the not-for-profit world, and she is looking forward to supporting the YMCA team in making an impact in our community and to emboldening them to shine on. Outside of work Deborah can be found enjoying the company of her family and their young ones. She is also a fan of their dogs.
