On July 23, our CEO, Kim Decker, took the stage as part of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s Women Take Charge Breakfast Series—a women’s-only event series dedicated to celebrating and empowering female leaders across our community.
These events create a space where women from Cambridge and beyond can gather, grounded in shared experience and a collective purpose of celebrating women in leadership and also understanding what it takes to be a woman in leadership.
In an intimate sit-down conversation with Chamber board member and former YWCA Cambridge board member and Woman of Distinction alumnas, Kristen Danson, Kim brought her trademark warmth, wisdom, and candour to the conversation. Kim spoke not just from her leadership journey spanning more than three decades, but from the lived experiences of women navigating systems that weren’t built with them in mind.
In their conversation, Kim and Kristen touched on the double standards women often face—how assertiveness in men is seen as confident and strong, while the same traits in women are too often labeled difficult or abrasive. Unsurprisingly, this conversation was met with nods around the room from women who knew exactly what Kim and Kristen were talking about.
1 in 1000
Early in their conversation, Kristen cited a staggering statistic. When Kim became the Executive Director of YWCA Cambridge more than 37 years ago, she had about a one in one thousand chance of earning that role. And yet, Kim didn’t just beat the odds—she’s been redefining them ever since.
Now CEO of YWCA Cambridge, Kim has championed transformative programs like Small Steps to Success, TechGyrls, and SHYFT, while expanding YWCA’s child care operations threefold and growing the organization’s operating budget from less than $1 million to almost $10 million during her tenure. She’s mentored young women, advocated fiercely for survivors of gender-based violence, and worked tirelessly to build a more equitable community for all.
But what stood out most that morning wasn’t only Kim’s track record—it was her approach. Leadership, she said, is about paying it forward. It’s about pairing wisdom with youth and creating space for others to lead. Just as the YWCA Cambridge Board of Directors gave her, a young woman in her early 30s, a chance in 1987, Kim is committed to doing the same for the next generation.
Work-Life (Im)Balance
With honesty and humour, Kim gave us a glimpse into the reality of leading while mothering, caregiving, fundraising, and pushing for systemic change.
She spoke of bringing her kids to work, screaming into pillows on more than a few occasions, and learning—sometimes the hard way—to trust her gut. She credited her “wolf pack” of like-minded women with helping her stay grounded, healthy, and steady.
In a sector where burnout is far too common, Kim’s message was clear: carve out time for yourself. Whether it’s a walk, reading for pleasure, or even a carved-pumpkin fundraiser that brings you joy (a carved pumpkin fundraiser did indeed take place a long, long time ago, and it, in fact, did not bring Kim joy – ask her about it some time if you missed hearing it at the Chamber breakfast!)—sustainable leadership isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Because this work isn’t a sprint. It’s a relay. And we need each other to carry the baton.
It Takes All of Us
One powerful theme emerged throughout the discussion: It takes all of us.
Kim emphasized the importance of including men and boys in conversations about sexism, consent, and gender-based violence—not as spectators, but as active agents of change. We all have an opportunity to challenge assumptions and preconceived notions, creating space for evolved thinking. “Controversy can be an opportunity,” she said. “It can spark dialogue. It can open minds.”
As a mother of two boys, Kim reflected on the importance of raising sons who understand the value of equity, consent, and empathy. She spoke candidly about the challenges—and rewards—of guiding boys in a world that often sends conflicting messages about masculinity. Her own parenting journey has only deepened her belief that this work must start early, at home, in our schools, and in our communities.
At YWCA Cambridge, our work in prevention, education, and shelter may be incremental—but it’s essential. Whether it’s pushing for a national child care plan, teaching compassion to school-aged children through Roots of Empathy, opening a local women’s emergency homeless shelter, or quietly mentoring a young woman into her first leadership role—every step matters.
A Legacy of Lifting
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening. It’s about hiring the right people—and then stepping out of their way. It’s about asking hard questions, and being brave enough to face the answers.
One of the most powerful moments of the morning came when Sue Foxton, Mayor of North Dumfries, took the soapbox and reminded the room, “It could be any one of us [experiencing homelessness]”
Her words hit close to home, reflecting on the sobering reality of women’s homelessness right here in Waterloo Region. At YWCA Cambridge, we know just how true Sue’s statement is. Kim led a team that worked tirelessly to open the city’s first women’s emergency homeless shelter, a critical service in a growing crisis.
The women we support don’t fit a mold, and no two stories are the same. Increasingly, we are witnessing elderly women arrive at our shelter doors —alone, with no safety net, and unable to keep up with rising rent costs on a fixed pension. These are women who have worked hard, raised families, and contributed to their communities. And now, they’re facing housing precarity with nowhere else to turn.
It really could happen to anyone. That’s why the voices of advocates like Kim and Sue are so vital. Because homelessness is not a personal failing—it’s the result of systemic gaps and inequities.
Equity, safety, and opportunity should never come down to luck. They should be built into the fabric of our communities.
That’s why the fight, the fundraising, and the fierce advocacy continues—for Kim, and for all of us at YWCA Cambridge.
A heartfelt thank you to the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce for creating this space, and to moderator Kristen Danson for guiding a conversation that was insightful, honest, and deeply inspiring. We are proud to be part of a community that uplifts women’s voices—and acts on their vision.
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