Shawn McKillop

Shawn McKillop

Job Description

I help tell the story of the YMCA and make sure people understand the good work it does in the community. My job is to communicate with the public, the media, and government leaders so they know how the YMCA helps people stay healthy, learn new skills, and feel like they belong. I also help use technology and data to improve how the YMCA connects with people.

Relevant School Subjects

Arts

Areas Of Expertise

Business & Finance

Career Story

After high school at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, I went to Wilfrid Laurier University to study communications. During university, I became interested in how organizations connect with communities and how communication can help bring people together around important issues.

After graduating, I began working in communications and public relations. Over time, I took on roles that involved working with media, supporting community initiatives, and helping organizations explain their work to the public. As my career progressed, I focused more on strategic communication, leadership, and working with government and community partners.

To strengthen my professional skills, I earned my Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), which is a professional designation that recognizes expertise and ethical standards in the field of public relations.

Today, I serve as Senior Vice President of Communications and Digital Transformation at YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford. My role focuses on helping the YMCA communicate its impact, build partnerships with government and community leaders, and use technology to improve how we serve people.

In simple terms, my path has been about learning how communication, community leadership, and strategy can work together to make organizations stronger and help communities thrive.