A Farewell Message from our Executive Director
Our Former Executive Director, Ian Bingeman, reflects on his time at Youth Ottawa and our board of Directors welcome Jesse Card as the Acting Executive Director
Dear Youth Ottawa Family,
I will be leaving Youth Ottawa as of March 22nd, 2021. My decision was not an easy one to reach, made particularly difficult both by my persistent and strong belief in Youth Ottawa’s mission and objectives and by my optimism for the organization’s future. This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am extremely proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish working together over the past six years of my employment with Youth Ottawa. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served as Executive Director for this wonderful organization, and I am equally humbled by the confidence and faith you have all shown me. It has been the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of creating real, measurable impact and shaping innovations. I am saddened to think that I will no longer be involved in the day-to-day awesomeness that was – and will be – created by this outstanding organization and group of people, but I am consoled by the fact that I will remain an advocate for both the organization and the mission regardless of where I end up in the future.
With gratitude, Ian Bingeman
Appointing a new Acting Executive Director:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Youth Ottawa, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Jesse Card as Acting Executive Director, effective Monday, March 22nd, 2021. Jesse started work with Youth Ottawa in February 2018 leading one of our key programs, Youth Active Media and was instrumental in the development of our collaborating social enterprise, Hot Shoe Productions. More recently, Jesse has worked intimately with the board in developing a renewed strategic vision, business model and operational structure.
We are very excited to welcome Jesse into this new position and welcomes his enthusiasm and vision for the continued growth for the organization. Jesse brings a wealth of experience from the organizations he has worked for in the past that will be of benefit to Youth Ottawa. Jesse has worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years in various support roles, contributing to the development of many Ottawa Youth. He has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, public relations, marketing and communications with additionally valued experience in the private sector as an entrepreneur.
“It is with tremendous gratitude and humility that I accept the duties and responsibilities of leading Youth Ottawa as the Acting Executive Director. I am optimistic for the future of the organization, I am convinced of its importance; but I am also aware of the task that stands before me, the staff and the community at large. The previous year has brought with it many challenging circumstances, and the crisis has also laid bare many of the social and economic hardships facing marginalized Canadians, youth in particular. It is for this reason, that Youth Ottawa must better define its purpose. It must solidify its viability. And it must reflect deeply on how it provides agency, efficacy and identity to youth; especially racialized young people in the City of Ottawa. I look forward to contributing to the long legacy of Youth Ottawa, and the important mandate in advocating for young people.” – Jesse Card
We would like to also take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Executive Director, Ian Bingeman, for his work. His dedication in fostering creativity, celebrating civic engagement and pursuing social innovation among Ottawa-based youth, although advantageous to the organization as a whole, has enlightened our directorate and many peers in the non-profit sector. We wish Ian well in all that lies ahead and thank both him and Jesse for an active and seamless transition of leadership.
Jesse Card can be reached by email at jesse.card@youthottawa.ca
To learn more about Youth Ottawa’s mission, programs or ways to contribute your support & partnership, please feel free to browse our website.
– Ben O’Neil & John Stroud – Co-Chairs, Youth Ottawa Board of Directors