YWCA NWT fires executive director, delays annual general meeting

The YWCA NWT has removed its executive director from her role, sources with ties to the organization told Cabin Radio on Friday.

Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay had headed the charity since 2020. Two people with knowledge of developments at the YWCA NWT said her position was terminated this week.

The charity operates transitional and emergency housing and a family violence shelter in Yellowknife, as well as programs for families and youth. It employs more than 80 people.

Lyda Fuller, who served as the organization’s executive director for 24 years, said she worked with Dumbuya-Sesay – who was previously the director of children’s services – before her retirement.

Fuller said that since she left the organization, Dumbuya-Sesay had kept her involved with the YWCA, inviting her to management meetings to provide context and institutional knowledge.

Fuller said Dumbuya-Sesay was locked out of the YWCA office earlier this week and was not permitted to use her YWCA email.

Later in the week, Fuller said, Dumbuya-Sesay was terminated.

“The staff of the Y who were in shock at her being locked out were now beside themselves with grief at the fact that Hawa, who’s been this excellent leader, has been terminated with no explanation to the staff group of what was going on,” said Fuller.

She said she wasn’t aware of any circumstances that would have led the board to make this decision.

“The organization has thrived under her leadership. The services have grown. The financial stability has grown. We’ve gotten a new building with housing that we didn’t have when I left, and I’ve been so pleased at how she’s led this organization since I retired,” said Fuller.

“It’s just, from my view, totally unacceptable.”

Fuller said Dumbuya-Sesay’s departure has her feeling worried about the organization.

“Hawa has been with the Y for so long. She knows so much. She has all the connections with funders, with community partners. I can’t imagine how they’re going to replace her,” said Fuller.

In its last annual report, the charity said its crisis line handled more than 2,000 calls and it housed more than 150 families. Its programs reach more than 500 children in the territory each year.

The YWCA recently celebrated 60 years of operation in the NWT.

The organization had scheduled its annual general meeting for Saturday morning. However, with less than 24 hours’ notice, the YWCA NWT issued a statement on Friday afternoon postponing the event indefinitely.

Reached by phone on Friday, Dumbuya-Sesay said she was not yet prepared to publicly comment on events that unfolded over the past week.

In an email to Cabin Radio, president of the board Rami Kaur said she would not discuss personnel matters with the media, but said the annual general meeting had been postponed to a tentative date of October 24.

“Members can raise any issues they have regarding the postponement at that time,” wrote Kaur.

Ollie Williams contributed reporting.