The YWCA NWT named its new executive director on Thursday, appointing Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay the organization's current director of child and youth services.
According to a news release issued by the non-profit organization on Thursday, Dumbuya-Sesay will replace longtime leader Lyda Fuller who announced her planned retirement earlier this year.
Fuller will be officially leave her position in November.
Sarah Arngna’naaq, YWCA NWT President, that the new executive director has the experience and knowledge to address the social challenges that women, families and children face in the NWT.
“Hawa is passionate about helping women and children thrive and understands the structural barriers northern women and families are facing," Arngna’naaq stated. "She will continue to advocate for gender equity and we think she’ll bring a great perspective to the way we serve our communities."
The release states that Dumbuya-Sesay originally came from Sierra Leone with her family as as a 16-year-old to escape a civil war. Since that time, she has built a "diverse and skilled background" to help her assist those experiencing family violence, child protection and youth programs. Other issues the role oversees include issues of maternal mortality, reduction programming, and crisis intervention.
“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge and working with the YWCA is the perfect opportunity to make a positive difference. I am thankful for the team we have here and know we’ll support each other to move this work forward,” Dumbuya-Sesay stated in the release.
Dumbuya-Sesay has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Yukon College and a Masters of Social Work degree with a specialization in International and Community Development from the University of Calgary.