ST. PAUL - A new face is leading the way for the Capella Centre women's shelter in St. Paul.
Andrea Myers started in the position on Jan. 18, following the retirement of former director Noreen Cotton. Myers says she is still in the process of moving to the community, having only lived in Edmonton throughout her life, but she's already shown her commitment to her new role through the purchase of a home in St. Paul.
Myers has been working in the non-profit sector for the past 12 years, and has 25 years of business management behind her. She comes from an accounting background, and has found her skills have transferred over nicely to her work with nonprofits.
“I really enjoy the nonprofit environment,” says Myers. She enjoys the fact that there is a lot of room to make an impact.
While Myers never lived in the area previously, she is familiar with St. Paul, having spent many summers out at her family's cabin at Garner Lake. She would often find herself coming into town shopping while out at the lake.
So far, Myers says she is enjoying the small-town atmosphere.
“I enjoy the small town. I can get around the whole town on my bike,” she says, adding, there is plenty of room and opportunity for her to bring her dogs out for a walk, and overall believes it's a great environment.
When asked if Myers has any specific background with women's shelters, she says she's worked in family support and environmental science in the past. She believes her new position as executive director with the Capella Centre is "a perfect fit."
“Supporting women is very important for me.”
Myers views a large part of her new job as supporting the staff in place at the women's shelter, so they can do the best they can in supporting women in the community.
“My value is being able to ensure the staff have everything they need," she says. And so far, after just a few weeks on the job, Myers says it seems to be going well. In the future, she hopes to create strong relationships with the community and the funders who support the shelter.
When asked if anything has surprised her about her move to St. Paul, Myers laughs, and says "it's been colder than I would like for moving." But overall, nothing has been too surprising, and the days seem to be flying by.
"I don't think I've left work on time once," she says, noting, there is a lot of work to be done.
Speaking to the hiring process, Myers says she had a good feeling about the position when speaking with the hiring committee.
"I think it was a good fit, right from the start," she says. Myers felt like she connected with those who hired her, and she's connected well with the staff so far.
Corinne Wieler-Harris, the chair of the Capella Centre board, agrees.
She says the hiring committee was able to establish common goals with Myers right from the start. And while the Capella Centre is well established in the community, the vision for the future is to expand on that, so the organization has a more universal position, and can reach even more people. Ideas such as hiring summer students, and expanding its formal volunteer program are just some ways the centre hopes to achieve this.
Wieler-Harris says she's happy to see Myers settle into the community.
“She’s now committed to our community," says the board chair.
Myers' commitment to the vision and mission of the women's shelter, along with her "proven willingness to serve and be a changing agent to survivors of domestic violence," are just some of the reasons she was hired as the new executive director.
Wieler-Harris says the board is "excited" and "optimistic" about the impact the new executive director will have on men, women and children living with domestic violence. And although the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenging time for many people, Wieler-Harris says it's heartwarming to be able to work with the staff at the women's shelter, and be able to find a leader that is so appropriate for the position.
Myers too acknowledges that there will be challenges as she begins her new role, due to the pandemic and meetings and events being "a bit more complicated" right now, but she is looking forward to being able to committed to the area, and "making a difference."
