Our Staff

Liz Angell - WIB Facilitator, Bracebridge Evening Program
Liz Angell began facilitating the WIB Bracebridge evening program in October 2011 after moving to Muskoka from the UK in 2010. She has undertaken a number of careers; all of which are inspired by her passion for helping others to learn, grow and succeed in life.
After graduating from University in 1992; Liz spent three years teaching English in Europe before returning to the UK to work for a Management Consultancy supporting Businesses with their internal communication strategies. Much of her work centred on building staff morale through helping employees to communicate more effectively. Her drive to help others succeed led her to High School Teaching for ten years, where she took on extra responsibility supporting disadvantaged children before becoming a full-time mum to her three children in 2007. Her experience teaching High School English and Drama nurtured her belief in the Arts as a tool for encouraging development and growth in others. She has also trained adults here in Muskoka for an organisation supporting people experiencing career change due to injury at work.
She first came to Canada on a year’s teaching exchange program with her family from the UK and felt a strong desire to return. She loves the sense of community and the outdoor life Muskoka brings and her strong Faith continues to lead her into new and exciting territories.
She is thrilled to be transferring her life experience and knowledge to others on the WIB program.


Cath Armstrong - Quest Coordinator & Youth Programs Facilitator
Cath Armstrong joined the YWCA team in October 2003 on a part-time basis as a Community Access Program youth worker. That role evolved into a full time position as the Youth Program Coordinator, and in 2007, transitioned to program and curriculum development writing and revising for all YWCA programs. As Cath continues training in program evaluation, she also supports YWCA Muskoka programs in that capacity. Fall 2011 will mark her fourth year facilitating the Quest program and she continues in the part time position of Quest Program Coordinator. She also guest facilitates for the Women in Business program, leading sessions on learning styles. Wearing yet another hat, Cath also provides tech support within the YWCA office.

With an undergraduate degree from Trent University, and a degree in education at the junior-intermediate level from Nipissing University, Cath brings several years of experience working with children and youth in a variety of venues including childcare settings, classroom teaching, and outdoor education. She believes that in order for kids to learn, it needs to be fun, and it needs to be done in a safe environment where participants can be encouraged to explore the world around them.

Spring 2012 leading a Quest program at BPS

Stephen Fleiszer - Youth Program Facilitator
Stephen was new to the YWCA in September 2011 and couldn’t be more excited to have joined the team as a Youth Program Facilitator in the Quest program. He attended Acadia University, graduating with a degree in Recreation Management. Throughout his course work, Stephen developed various skills in group facilitation, program development and management, as well as personal and community wellness.

While at Acadia, Stephen participated in various activities and clubs including as a member of the defensive line for the Acadia Axemen Varsity Football team. He played through his four years at university, and attributes many of his skills involving teamwork, leadership, and commitment to his time with the team.

Stephen has a passion for working with youth. Currently facilitating programs for Boys Quest, He is elated by the opportunity to work with participants to develop within themselves a better understanding of self-confidence, healthy relationships, and an opportunity to grow as they enter a very crucial stage in their development.

Spring 2012 leading Quest programs at Spruce Glen, Macaulay, GPS and Glen Orchard. Also co-facilitating the High School Quest Program at GHS

Marcy Hill - Youth Program Facilitator
For seven years Marcy operated a home-based daycare and after school program which included a summer camp program. She also created a children’s program at hidden Valley Resort called the Pre-ski Playhouse which she coordinated for five seasons. Marcy came to work with the YWCA in 2006 after completing the Woman In Business program.

Although running her own successful landscaping and property services business, Marcy realized that she needed to return to her true passion which is working with children and youth. She began as a Girlz Unplugged facilitator in 2006 and currently facilitates the Boys Quest 5/6 program and the high school program for girls; Girlz Choice. Marcy remains an active member in her community running kids dances and events as often as possible. Her current projects are focused on raising funds for the Huntsville High School Me-to-We project.

Maya Angelou says "Children's talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives". Marcy believes that YWCA youth programs allow kids to have a voice and dig deep to find the best in themselves and the world around them, especially during times when many kids are their own worst critics.

Spring 2012 leading Quest programs at Watt, Spruce Glen and HPS and the Girlz Choice program at Huntsville High School

Lynda Hutt - Employment Programs Coordinator
Lynda Hutt brings to the YWCA experience in self-employment training and coaching throughout Northern Ontario for government organizations, not-for-profit and private businesses. After moving from rural Alberta to Ontario in 1983, she has worked in small businesses throughout Northern Ontario, following a trail from Thunder Bay to Manitoulin Island. She also operates her own home based upholstery business.

Since moving to Muskoka almost nine years ago, Lynda has been working with individuals who wish to remain in their own communities, yet seek viable, meaningful work. A passion for rural communities and the people who live in them continues to be an underlying theme to her work.

Lynda is coordinator and facilitator for employment programs.

Fall 2011 leading the WIB program in Huntsville and the MIB program, also in Huntsville

Hannah Lin - Youth Programs Coordinator
Hannah first approached the YWCA as a staff member of Bracebridge Culture and Recreation with an idea to partner in a new active living girls program. She joined YWCA Muskoka as staff in 2005 to facilitate in the Girlz Unplugged program; then as the Youth Programs Coordinator a year later. She is passionate about her work, developing programs and partnerships, and helping young people overcome challenges and realize new opportunities.
Hannah brings to the YWCA over 20 years experience in working with youth. She has been a representative on youth councils, a camp counsellor, literacy tutor and educator, a volunteer and director for international seminar camps for 17/18 year olds for Children's International Summer Villages. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Cultural Studies from Trent University and studied Fibre Arts at Kootenay School of the Arts. In addition to her role at the YWCA, Hannah is an accomplished textile artist, arts educator and a board member for the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Association.
Hannah supervises the YWCA’s youth staff team and coordinates youth programs including Girlz Unplugged, Girlz Choice, Quest, Power of Being a Girl Conferences, and the YWCAencore program.


Susan Lovell - Enterprising Women Facilitator
Susan joined YWCA in the fall of 2011. She brings with her 32 years of experience as a teacher, consultant and Special Education coordinator for both Trillium Lakelands District School Board and Simcoe County School Board. For the past 28 years she has worked alongside her husband, who owns and operates a contracting business in Lake of Bays.
She looks forward to working within her own community of Muskoka. She has a passion for the women and people of this community and is proud to be working as a facilitator and advocate for women in small to medium sized businesses.
Susan most enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her husband, two young adult daughters and her dog Arlo: hiking, canoeing, skiing and snowshoeing.


Jen Morgan Anderson - Youth Program Facilitator
Jen received her B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Guelph with a focus on drawing and sculpture, and her B.Ed from Nipissing University. From 2002 to 2006 she worked with the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival where she helped to develop the Kaleidoscope Arts in Education Program, which has now become the Festival’s central initiative. Kaleidoscope provides arts-integrated programs in Muskoka schools in addition to a summer camp program and an annual two-day children’s festival.

From 2007 to 2010 Jen taught high school art and music in Pikangikum, a remote First Nations community in Northwestern Ontario. In addition to teaching a variety of art and music courses at the intermediate and senior levels, she participated in numerous arts-based extra-curricular programs, including a very popular music club and the Outside Looking In hip-hop dance program. Her experience in Pikangikum reaffirmed her belief that the arts are a powerful tool to engage at-risk students, and to provide opportunities for success and achievement.

Jen returned to Muskoka in 2010 and took the position of “Arts and Aboriginal Education Coordinator” with Kaleidoscope. She continues to work with Kaleidoscope, and recently started working as a youth program facilitator with Muskoka YWCA. She has also done two trips as a volunteer artist with ArtsCan Circle, an organization that sends teams of musicians and artists to remote Canadian Indigenous communities to link creative artists with youth at risk.

Spring 2012 leading Girlz Unplugged programs at Macaulay, Muskoka Falls and Moose Deer Point First Nation - also leading the Girlz Choice program at GHS

Elise Muller - Youth Program Facilitator
Elise Muller is a stone sculptor and Expressive Arts Facilitator who has been working for YWCA Muskoka as a Girlz Unplugged facilitator since 2006. She is currently facilitating programs in Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. Elise has a B.A. from Nipissing University in Culture and the Arts with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts from Fleming College. Elise has also studied Art, Design & Mixed Media in Dublin Ireland, and Stone Carving at Haliburton School of the Arts. Her sculptures are on display at Stone Tree Studio near Dorset, which is also where Expressive Arts Sessions and Stone Carving Workshops take place individually or in a group. Elise is able to bring her creative talents and expressive arts training to great use in the programs she leads. Under her guidance, two groups have written, acted and recorded short films to raise attention for girls and mental health and wellness.

Spring 2012 leading Girlz Unplugged programs at Beechgrove, Irwin, VK Greer, Riverside and Pine Glen - also leading the Girlz Choice program at St. Dominic CSS

Laura Redman - WIB Facilitator, Gravenhurst Daytime Program
Laura’s list of work and volunteer accomplishments is truly spectacular! She is a long-time journalist, former Managing Editor of the County Voice in Haliburton, a former Resource Development Coordinator for the YWCA Women’s Centre in Minden and was Children’s Program Coordinator with the Haliburton County Public Library. She has also been a board member of the Good Food Box program, in Haliburton County, Coordinator for the Learn to Grow program at the Haliburton Community Garden for 2011, a member of the Haliburton Highlands Local Food Coalition, and has served as a member of the Transportation Working Group.
Laura has also been a member of the Highlands Playback Theatre Troupe for two years, and was 2010 writer-in-residence at R.D. Lawrence Place in Minden. Laura is a recognized workshop leader and public speaker offering seminars on writing, effective communications, photography, marketing and journalism. Most recently, Laura took her passion for community service into the role of federal Liberal candidate for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.
Laura is passionate about helping people move forward in life, and is willing to work hard to find solutions that will help the entire community grow and prosper.


Molly Ross - Fundraising and Capacity Building Coordinator
Molly is a Relationship Management professional with more than 11 years of experience supporting not-for-profit organizations and start-up ventures. Her career has focused on strategic communications, fund development and stakeholder relations. Molly joined YWCA Muskoka in the spring of 2011 and is working to develop fundraising and volunteer recruitment for the organization.


Stacey Schat - Youth Program Facilitator
Stacey Schat came to the YWCA in 2010 after relocating to Muskoka. Stacey brings with her a background in performance having attended Ryerson in the theatre department and gaining her B.F.A. in Theatre. She spent the next few years acting, managing a theatre and working for a not-for-profit arts organization. The next step on her journey found her graduating from Nipissing’s Teacher College with the ability to teach grades one through ten. Stacey also achieved her Drama Specialist through the University of Toronto. A classroom teacher for five years Stacey has seen firsthand the importance of helping to instil confidence and healthy self-esteem in children. Her passion for emotional intelligence and helping each child discover what makes them unique and valuable led to her seeking a career with the YWCA Muskoka as a youth facilitator. The YWCA’s reputation and innovation in school-based programming is far reaching and Stacey has been delighted to find a workplace that supports her views on children and education.

Spring 2012 leading Quest Programs at KP Manson, Riverside and Monck - also co-facilitating the High School Quest program at GHS

Beth Ward - Executive Director
A resident of Muskoka for over thirty years, Beth’s work throughout Muskoka has provided her with firsthand knowledge of the strengths and opportunities of each community. Her professional career includes leadership roles in several not-for-profit organizations including Community Living Huntsville, Willow – a national breast cancer organization, and Health Nexus – a highly regarded health promotion agency. As well, she was the CAO of Leisureworld Long Term Care facility. The common thread amongst these positions is that they all focus on work, and ways of working, that make a difference to people’s lives - something that Beth is passionate about!

Beth has served as a Director of numerous local organizations, including Muskoka Algonquin Health Care, Muskoka Women’s Advocacy Group, Muskoka Heritage Foundation, Macaulay Treehouse Day Nursery, Muskoka Network Against Elder Abuse and Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club. She spends as much time as she can paddling and hiking Algonquin Park… the place she calls her spiritual home and place of renewal.