Lead a multidisciplinary team of 50 plus staff with expertise in mental health, substance use, poverty, employment, housing and homelessness. Responsible for all aspects of facility management and program delivery for youth living in poverty including a 24 hour emergency shelter, transitional housing, pre-employment and employment support, substance use and street outreach, as well as a hospitality and trades training program. I was particularly successful in identifying and creating opportunities for department growth through the development of strategic relationships with community agencies and government partners. I frequently delivered presentations, as well as spoke to media on the outcomes and challenges of youth housing and homelessness in Toronto. Leading a large department provided me with direct experience community and government relations, negotiation, complex decision-making and programmatic alignment and expansion to ensure the organizations works towards it strategic goals. This included leading system change by co-chairing community networks, such as the Youth Shelter Interagency Network, and A Way Home Toronto, as well as representing the youth sector on the Toronto Shelter Network Board. I led the development of the Vanauley St. YMCA, and YMCA Sprott House, Toronto's first transitional housing program for LGBTQ2S youth. Both of these projects included a comprehensive consultation process with participants, community members and government partners.