After 32 years at the helm of Sea to Sky Community Services, Lois Wynne is passing the torch.
June 1 will be the retiring executive director's last official day of work.
Newcomer to the organization, Jayne Russell, will be her replacement.
Wynne recalled recently to The Chief that during her first week on the job, in 1986, the agency — then called Squamish Community Services Society — had five employees and an annual budget of $46,000.
"We didn't have an office," she said with a laugh. "I worked from home with this ridiculously ancient typewriter."
Later, the agency opened a small office above the post office.
Sea to Sky Community Services now has 160 staff and an annual budget of 9.5 million. The agency boasts three offices — in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
"I got to grow with the changes," Wynne said.
During her career at the agency, which had its roots in family and children's services, the organization has expanded to now include services for children and adults with disabilities; youth services, employment assistance; child daycares and 154 residential rental housing units, and much more.
The building of Centrepoint in partnership with the Squamish United Church was a huge highlight of her career, Wynne said.
The new building on Fourth Avenue includes the agency's programming, administration, childcare and 32 units of affordable housing.
Wynne gets emotional when asked what she will miss about her job.
"I have been blessed with amazing people, my team in particular," she said, her voice breaking. Many of those she works with have also been at the agency for decades, she noted. "These are people who you spend probably more time with than your family, and so they become your family. I will miss that, but I won't let that go."
Following her retirement, Wynne most looks forward to spending time with her husband, three children, and newborn grandson, she said.
Russell, who will begin at Sea to Sky Community Services early in May, has more than 15 years experience in the social services field. She has held senior positions with the City of Calgary, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Vancouver Aquarium and the City of Vancouver, according to a Sea to Sky Community Services' press release.
Wynne's parting advice for Russell is to spend some time taking the pulse of the community and the agency.
"Really paying attention to community — the changes that are happening. I will definitely encourage her to be a part of that, provide some leadership," she said. "The agency is at a time in history when we can provide some leadership. There's a solid infrastructure, amazing staff, so take the time to get to know what is happening out there and work with your partners and the board around what is next, what are the visions and where do we go from here."
Sea to Sky Community Services Society's flagship fundraiser, the Sea to Sky Gala, takes place May 4, at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Go to www.seatoskygala.ca/tickets for tickets or more information.
