Discover the YMCA's Significant Contribution to Greater Victoria's Well-being
Jul 05, 2023
Derek Ge​nt CEO, YMCA Vancouver Island
Discover the YMCA's Significant Contribution to Greater Victoria's Well-being

Derek Gent has served as CEO for the local YMCA / YWCA since 2019. The Y has been around for almost 150 years on the Island and currently operates recreation centres, childcare facilities, social housing for young mothers and for independent youth, a 1200 acre wilderness site at Camp Thunderbird and a range of programs delivered across the region. Prior to the Y Derek was CEO at the Community Foundation associated with Vancity Credit Union and worked for many years in impact investing through Vancity’s Venture Capital division and the previously named Pacific Coast Savings in Victoria. He started his career working in microcredit in Bangladesh after completing an MBA at Queen’s University, and he grew up in Edmonton. Derek has taught a number of courses at the University level, and volunteered on many nonprofit Boards, including Imagine Canada, Aga Khan Foundation, Cooperators Group, New Market Funds, the Loran Scholarship, and Victoria’s Rent Bank.