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Seija Suutari

United Way CEO says goodbye

BY Michele Lawson, STAFF February 02, 2010 06:02

BARRIE - In the wake of a record-breaking campaign, Seija Suutari, CEO of the United Way of Greater Simcoe County (UWGSC), has announced her resignation to staff and volunteers.

The decision, which was shared with the UWGSC board of directors last November, was kept purposely quiet until the campaign came to a close.

“I didn’t want it to interfere with the campaign momentum, or staff and volunteer morale,” Suutari explains. She intends to remain in her current role until April, and will lend whatever support is necessary to the new leader.

After four years at the helm, Suutari is leaving on a high note.

Despite the annual end-of-campaign celebration being cancelled last week due to a snowstorm, the UWGSC is nonetheless thrilled with its $1.53-million drive total. Although slightly short of its ambitious $1.6-million goal, the total represented an almost 10-per-cent increase over last year, an effort realized during a global recession.

“Our campaign achievement is a measure of success but it is also the contributions and goodwill that everyone provides that creates a successful organization,” she said.

She cites an example of $250,000 worth of in-kind services received in consulting support, Internet hosting, printing and operational things that “keeps our administrative costs as low as possible.”

Already a part-time professor in one of Georgian College’s Bachelor of Applied Business programs, Suutari intends to look at other teaching opportunities at both the college and university levels come May.

“It’s not a big surprise (she’s moving on) because she’s the type of person who is always looking for new challenges,” said Joanne McPhail, UWGSC board chair, adding Suutari should be proud of her accomplishments at the organization. “We will definitely miss her and she’ll leave very large shoes to fill, but we’re also looking at it as a new opportunity.

“There’s always the opportunity in bringing someone new to the organization – new blood with a fresh outlook and a different perspective.”

The job description is posted here.

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