TORONTO, ON – York University has named its new Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation – Steven Chuang – an experienced organizational leader in sport and recreation, effective immediately.
The announcement comes on the heels of a year-long extensive international search to find the individual to lead Athletics & Recreation into its next chapter over the coming years with diverse strengths and experience in equity-focused leadership.
"I am thrilled to be returning to York University to be part of transforming our student-centric co-curricular experience across our three campuses," said Chuang. "I look forward to meeting our talented students, clubs, athletes, community partners, and partners on provincial and national levels. We will work together with the student body, dedicated coaches and staff, sport/s consortiums, and community volunteers to strengthen our equity-focused approach to delivering athletics and recreational programming to everyone."
A proud alumnus of York, Chuang brings over 19 years of experience, with expertise in healthcare, wellness, recreation, equity, workforce innovation, post-secondary academic professorship, and community partnership. He has a demonstrated record of leadership championing for children, youth, students and families at a systemic level through advocacy, policy change, and data-driven program leadership.
Over the course of his career, Chuang was the President and CEO of the Greater Niagara Region YMCA, where he had a strong focus on community-based programs, anti-oppression advocacy, and commitment to truth and reconciliation. He oversaw 100+ YMCA locations across 12 municipalities to deliver comprehensive programming while incorporating equity and diversity into the evolving landscape of community health, recreation, and fitness. He stewarded the vision of the organization in key program areas: health, fitness, and aquatics;youth outreach; employment and newcomer services; and children's services. He was instrumental to launch and lead through a new strategic plan, "Foundations for the Future", whereby he negotiated the new Pan-Canadian Early Learning and Child Care Plan with the provincial and regional governments; repositioned the Y to maintain a healthy capital reserve through asset consolidation; and to transition through pandemic disruptions leading to stabilization.
Chuang was previously the Director of the Regent Park Community Health Centre advancing social justice and health equity for clients facing barriers to access services. He was also the Director of Pathways to Education in Regent Park where he oversaw the largest flagship Pathways program in Canada to provide wraparound supports to youth through high school perseverance and access to education toward graduation. Chuang successfully raised millions of new funding to meet the service gaps in Toronto downtown east, notably, as founder of middle-school bridging program (Youth Enrichment Academy), Young Adults Employment Access Program (Jobs4Youth), and the federal Anti-Racism Action Program for racialized trauma-informed capacity building program. He has led research projects on creative cities in partnership with the City of Toronto and the World Knowledge Cities Summit and was a keynote speaker for the City of Toronto's event on Wellness and Resilience.
As an experienced teaching faculty member with a passion for helping students succeed, Chuang is a dedicated postsecondary educator. Chuang was also an academic administrator, having been appointed as the associate Dean, Lakeshore Campus, for Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
In terms of community involvement, Chuang has held many committee and board roles supporting community engagement, including being the incumbent President of Youthlink, a Toronto-based mental health and youth development organization. As a lifelong diversity advocate, he formerly served on the YMCA National Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion , and the Niagara Quality Sports and Physical Activity Consortium.
"I'm very excited to work with Steven as he brings to Athletics and Recreation his extensive knowledge, values, and commitment to equity," said York University Vice-Provost Students Nona Robinson, who led the search committee for the Executive Director role. "I know he will be a strong and enthusiastic supporter of student-athletes, and our student fitness, recreation, and health programs, as we continue to broaden the reach and impact of A&R across the university and the local community."
Chuang shares with York University and the broader pan-university stakeholders at large, that he is "committed to providing a culture of excellence and sportsmanship such that athletes, fans, recreational players, or anyone exploring their personal wellness goals would feel welcomed in an inclusive environment.
It is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Lion Pride."
