Mr. Jim Krovats, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of MYS is pleased to announce that Ms. Kerri Irvin-Ross will assume responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1st, 2018. 

“Kerri brings with her a long-standing commitment to children and families, as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience. We look forward to Kerri continuing to build upon the good work that has been happening at here since 1929.”

Kerri served in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2016, representing the constituencies of Fort Garry/Fort Richmond. During that time she was appointed Minister of Healthy Living, Housing and Community Development, and Family Services. Kerri spearheaded initiatives that contributed an additional 3,000 housing units and 20 child care centres across Manitoba. She also supported the implementation of the Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy to improve the lives of all Manitobans.

With a Master’s degree in Social Work and over 20 years of experience in the public sector, Kerri has worked front-line protection within child welfare as well as serving as a school social worker. She has also volunteered extensively with not-for-profit agencies such as Winnipeg Harvest and the West Central Women’s Resource Centre.

Kerri will promote the mission and mandate of MYS while sustaining and growing the agency’s profile as a trusted and valuable contributor to Manitoba.

“Providing empowering programs and services for Manitoba children, youth, adults, and families is at the centre of everything we do,” says Krovats. “It is an exciting time for us looking forward to our work with our new CEO, yet we must be sure to acknowledge how we arrived here. We acknowledge and appreciate the many contributions of our outgoing CEO, Dr. Erma Chapman. We thank her for her dedication and service to the children, youth, families, and everyone at MYS over the years. Her work has made a lasting and positive impact on many Manitobans and MYS, for which we are truly grateful.”

After 17 years in a leadership role Dr. Erma Chapman will retire on March 31, 2018. Dr. Chapman’s recent career highlight includes raising funds for and overseeing the construction of a state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot facility at 175 Mayfair Avenue in Winnipeg. The one-year-old Therapeutic Centre replaces three aging buildings and centralizes staff who were previously spread throughout six locations in Winnipeg.

Incoming CEO Kerri Irvin-Ross will be overseeing the operations of MYS, an agency that helps over 8,000 children, youth, adults, and families across Manitoba annually, with offices in The Pas, Thompson, and Winnipeg. The agency has more than 700 staff members and an annual operating budget of $30 million.