After 30 days as the new CEO of YWCA Toronto, I can honestly say that I am humbled by the breadth of work, and the commitment and expertise of the 600+ staff members at this Association. The work we do every day, our dedication to improving the lives of women, girls and gender diverse people and our commitment to gender equity are what make YWCA Toronto such a powerful force for change.
As I start my second month, I answered a few questions from our communications department about myself, and my vision for YWCA Toronto.
What inspires you? Who or what drives your work?
I am deeply inspired by the connection between what happens globally and what we see locally. A survivor’s struggle for housing or safety in Toronto is often inseparable from their journey across borders and their fight for recognition and belonging. These experiences are not isolated; they are shaped by larger systems.
The people who drive my work are those who refuse to accept the status quo. They take what they have lived through and turn it into something that challenges systems and creates change for others. That kind of courage is what moves this work forward. I am also driven by the profound power of witnessing. One of the most powerful acts of resistance is when someone chooses to tell their story, especially within systems designed to silence them.
How would you describe your leadership philosophy?
My leadership is rooted in intersectional feminist ethics and a deep commitment to shared power. In my role, I want to create the conditions where people can be heard and where power is distributed. I believe in leading from within, not above, and in building spaces where staff and communities can be their full selves in our spaces. Leadership, for me, is about holding that complexity while ensuring that we move forward together in a way that is grounded in care and accountability.
Which achievements are you most proud of, and what did they teach you?
I am incredibly proud of my contributions to advocacy efforts at both the provincial and national levels, particularly regarding the recognition of the experiences of racialized, non-status, and refugee women. My work focused on the precarious intersection of immigration policy and family and criminal law, where women are often threatened by abuse and deportation. This work has also taught me that change is often slow and not always visible. We may not see the impact in the moment, but that does not diminish its significance.
What is one thing our community might be surprised to learn about you?
I believe that rest is a form of resistance, especially for racialized women in leadership who often carry multiple expectations and pressures. Taking the time to pause, reflect, or engage in creative expression allows me to remain connected to myself. It also ensures that I can continue to lead in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and rooted in care.
What excites you most about the future of YWCA Toronto?
I am excited by the opportunity to deepen YWCA Toronto’s impact. The organization has a strong and meaningful history of providing direct support to those who need it most.
I see an opportunity for us to continue strengthening our voice in shaping the systems that create these challenges in the first place. We have the knowledge, the lived experiences, and the credibility to push for broader change and a more equitable future.
Before coming to YWCA Toronto, what did you admire most about it?
I have always admired the organization’s clear and consistent commitment to intersectionality. Long before it became widely used language, YWCA Toronto was recognizing how race, class, gender identity, and immigration status intersect to shape people’s experiences.
I continue to be drawn to YWCA Toronto’s ability to reflect, adapt, be accountable and stay grounded in the belief that advocacy must be driven by the communities it serves. The organization understands that true equity is only possible when we intentionally remove the barriers facing the most historically marginalized individuals and communities among us.
What would you say to somebody who is considering accessing our programs?
Please know that you are the expert of your own life. Your rights and your worth are inherent–they are not defined by your documentation, your journey, or where you come from. We are not here to manage your life or change who you are; we are here to move alongside you with genuine respect, dignity, and care.
How do you navigate the weight of witnessing systemic failure while staying hopeful?
It is not easy to hold that reality. I stay grounded by focusing on the acts of resistance that happen every day. Hope, for me, is not something passive. It is something we practice. It comes from seeing the strength of survivors, from working alongside committed colleagues, partners, funders and donors, and from believing that even in difficult conditions, change remains possible.
How does your global perspective inform your local work in Toronto?
My global perspective reminds me that social injustice does not exist in isolation. Issues like migration, economic inequality, and gender-based violence are interconnected and shaped by broader systems.
It also reminds me that we are part of a much larger global movement for justice. With that comes both responsibility and the opportunity to ensure that Toronto is a place where safety, dignity, and belonging are for everyone.
How will you define success for the Association in the next year or two?
Success, for me, is both deeply human and systemic. It means that the participants we serve and staff feel a genuine sense of respect. It also means that we are responding to immediate needs, and influencing the root causes behind them. If we are able to contribute to meaningful shifts in areas like employment and training, shelter and housing, and gender-based violence, while also deepening a culture of care within our organization, then we are moving in the right direction.
You can read more about Deepa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepamattoo/