17th World Council of YMCAs - Daily Bulletin Day 3

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17 WC Observer th

Photo by Simon Williams

THURSDAY, JULY 22nd, 2010

Ken Colloton, Helen McEwan and Fernando Ondarza

Newly Elected Officers Commit to Steer the Way to Stronger Future By Rebecca Morton Doherty, World Alliance of YMCAs

To a huge round of applause, Ken Colloton of the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) was announced the President of the World Alliance of YMCAs. A delighted but humbled Ken said, “It’s my honour and privilege and pleasure to be able to serve the World Alliance of YMCAs.” Ken has a long history of service to the YMCA movement dating back to the 1970s. He served as YMCA of the USA’s Board Chair from 2007 – 2010, representing 21 million members (including 10 million children and youth) and 550,000 volunteers in 10,000 unique and diverse communities across the United States. Currently chair of Y-USA’s World Service, Ken has played a critical role in shaping the strategic focus and direction of the mission imperative to strengthen inclusion of diverse communities and build global community. He has been a member of the World Alliance Executive Committee since 2006. A Chartered Accountant, Ken is the Senior Vice President and Director of Government Banking at RBS/Citizens Bank. He has more than 30 years of experience in bank management including five years in Hong Kong heading Asia/Pacific operations and two years in Brazil leading the Central and South American regional office for Bankers Trust Company. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management, and an advanced degree from the Bank Administration Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a recent graduate of the Global Institute for Leadership Development in San Diego, California.

A delighted Fernando Ondarza from Mexico, was elected as Deputy President. “I think it is time, as it has always been, for the YMCA to be a voice, to be a platform and to be the space where young people can develop,” he said. With 30 years involvement in the YMCA, Ondarza holds leadership positions in his local YMCA, the Latin America & Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, and is the immediate past Treasurer of the World Alliance. An architect by profession, he has been responsible for many important building and restoration projects in Mexico, and has been curator of various museum expositions. He is also a director of a publishing company and founding partner of an organisation producing cultural and scientific programmes. Newly elected Treasurer, who was “overwhelmed” by her appointment, Helen McEwan, said “I’d like to see the YMCA really growing and becoming stronger and more vibrant. The stronger we can get, the more people we can reach.” With 26 years experience in accountancy, and a Bachelor of Commerce, she is a Partner of a Chartered Accountancy firm. Helen has held treasurer and leadership positions locally and nationally and served as a member of the World Alliance Executive Committee in the immediate past term.


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