YWCA NWT STAFF
Meet the people working for women and families across the Northwest Territories
Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay
Executive Director
Hawa has extensive experience working with families, victim services, youth, and adults with disabilities. She has worked in community development in Sierra Leone on a project to reduce maternal mortality in rural areas, provided support to women and children arriving at shelters fleeing family violence, and has worked extensively with people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and mental illness. Her wide worldview, compassion, and expertise is invaluable to YWCA NWT. Hawa has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Calgary.
Kate Wilson
Director of Housing
Kate has worked for the YWCA since 1998, where she started the Focus Program, a program focused on career development and gaining employment. Prior to working for the YWCA, Kate worked for the Native Women’s Association and played a central role at the Training Centre, where she designed and delivered an adult education program that taught life/employment skills. Kate has been the Director of Housing for YWCA NWT for nearly 20 years and has made a difference in the lives of many families.
Alayna Ward
Director of Communications & Community Relations
Alayna has been involved in the YWCA movement for nearly 10 years, first as a board member and then a member of the senior staff team for more than six years. She does fund development to support the work and programs of the organization and manages the organization's communications, special events, media relations, marketing and elements of government relations. Alayna has a BA from St. Thomas University and a Public Relations diploma from Grant MacEwan.
Nomazulu Khumalo
Organizational Development Manager
Nomazulu has spent 14 years working in human services with different ages from children and youth to young adults and families, contributing their expertise in group homes, behaviour management, shelters and transitional housing. With experience ranging from government, corporate and non-profit sectors, they have worked with start-up organizations in design, delivery and management of programs including training, development, and operations management. They have volunteered with the Red Cross in emergency and disaster services, human trafficking prevention, as an international youth advisor and in settlement services with newcomers to Canada. Nomazulu has a BA in counselling, BA in International Commerce and Global Development and post grad diploma in HR.
Debby Rybchinski
Manager, Alison McAteer House
Director of Finance