Leadership Team
Katherine O'Neill
CEO, YWCA Edmonton
Katherine O’Neill joined YWCA Edmonton as Chief Executive Officer on March 16, 2020. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of girls and women and inspiring people to hear the important call of community service.
Katherine has worked in leadership positions in communications and politics throughout her career. A writer by trade, she spent most of her journalism career working as a national correspondent with the Globe and Mail, dispatching stories from across Canada and even the battlefields of Afghanistan in 2008.
After leaving journalism, the mother of three led several political organizations in Alberta. She also ran a communications company that specialized in crisis communications and media relations.
Katherine has led and volunteered with several not-for-profit boards and committees, including organizations with a focus on early childhood education, literacy and disability services. She currently chairs the River Valley Alliance board as a director-at-large for the City of Edmonton.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University. In 2022, Katherine was awarded Alberta’s Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her significant contributions to community.
k.oneill@ywcaedm.org | 780.952.2869
Ashley Lim
Director, Counselling Services & Youth Leadership Programs
Ashley is a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience. She has worked with adults, youth, families, BIPOC and other ethnocultural minorities, 2SLGBTQ+ clients, clients with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and their families. Ashley spearheaded substantial research-based improvements to YWCA Edmonton’s GirlSpace program and is a strong advocate for change in our community. She serves on the Leadership Team for CIAFV in Edmonton and works with YWCA Canada’s Violence Against Women Network to eradicate violence nationally. Ashley enjoys relaxing at the lake or farm with her family and pets, cooking, drawing, or watching movies with a big bowl of popcorn. Her favourite film is the Hundred Foot Journey.
a.lim@ywcaedm.org | 780.970.6505
Christine McCourt-Reid
Director, External Relations
Christine McCourt-Reid is a seasoned communications professional who strives to enhance community vitality wherever possible. Her work in community advocacy and engagement, stewardship, fund development, event planning and volunteer management are aligned with her belief in the importance of maintaining an active connection with one’s communities of interest. She has been an ardent volunteer, lending her support and expertise to a number of worthy charitable organizations at local, provincial and national levels. Her contributions have been recognized through awards including the Top 40 Under 40, National Philanthropy Day, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals, and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, in recognition of her dedication and commitment to building community.
c.mccourt-reid@ywcaedm.org | 780.970.6508
Garnet Pratt
Director, Finance & Operations
Greig Smith
Director, Disability Services
Greig Smith has more than 20 years of international and Canadian leadership experience in the social service sector, including serving as the CEO and Registrar for the Government of Jamaica’s Office of the Children’s Registry from 2011 to 2018. Most recently, he was a program manager for Caribbean African Canadian Social Services in Toronto. He also worked as an adjunct instructor at York University. A trained educator and social worker, Greig is passionate about equity and helping and reducing barriers and challenges for the most vulnerable in our community. He excels at advocacy, policy and program development and evaluation, financial management and leading large teams. He holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Leadership and Administration.
g.smith@ywcaedm.org | 587.984.9852
