GNAG welcomes new executive director  

By Geoff Kellow and Elspeth Tory

How does one replace the irreplaceable? This was the daunting job facing members of the hiring committee of Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG), who were assigned the task of finding a new executive director to replace Mary Tsai. GNAG is very pleased to announce that Sarah Routliffe will be the new executive director, following in Mary’s very substantial footsteps.

Mary has successfully led the organization for the last 30 years, building it from the ground up, creating a welcoming environment for anyone walking through the community centre’s doors. The committee, composed of four board members, one former board member and one community member, had to find the right person to move the organization forward as it recovers from an extremely challenging few years under COVID.

Knowing the close-knit nature of the Glebe community, the board recognized the importance of a well-planned, unbiased and transparent hiring process. After several consultations and hours of research, GNAG engaged Ottawa-based Keynote Executive Search. “You need to hire with your heads, not just your hearts,” said Kelvin Shaw from Keynote, and he set the committee up perfectly to do just that.

After conducting multiple rounds of interviews, the hiring committee is delighted to welcome Sarah Routliffe, who has spent more than a decade as the general manager and executive director of the Jack Purcell Recreation Centre in Centretown. Her direct experience in similar non-profit, expanding recreational programming while interfacing with the City and its partners, makes her uniquely suited to take on the job and able to hit the ground running. This, along with her impressive interpersonal skills and strategic vision, won over the committee despite incredibly tough competition.

Routliffe is looking forward to getting to work with the amazing team at GNAG and immersing herself in the Glebe community. “Having worked in a similar community non-profit for the past 15 years,” Routliffe said, “I’ve always been impressed by the programming and overall enthusiasm that GNAG brings to the Glebe and recreation as a whole.”

Routliffe was born in Ottawa and attended the University of Ottawa where she studied communications with a minor in theatre. She started work as an after-school counsellor and worked her way up to executive director. “Not everyone is fortunate enough to have their passions line up with their career, but I am truly invested in community development and recreation, and I’m so excited I get to continue that work in the Glebe!”

As for Mary, she’s looking forward to the change.  “I agree with the saying that retiring from your dream job is bittersweet,” she said. “I am sad, but ready to move to life’s next chapter.  There is a new sheriff in town, and I hear she is a dynamo. Sarah Routliffe, welcome to the GNAG family. You are going to love it here.”

We’d like to extend our thanks to the other hiring committee members (Sarah Wilson, Heather Moncur, Colleen Mooney and Liz Izaguirre) for their time and dedication to the process. And on behalf of the entire community, welcome, Sarah! We look forward to having you lead GNAG into a bright new future.

Geoff Kellow is chair of the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG) Hiring Committee. Elspeth Tory is chair of GNAG.