Board of Directors 2026

if you would like to Contact our Board of Directors, please reach out to ed [at ] qwyc [dot] ca to get connected

Maria Morris

MARIA MORRIS

Chair

Maria Morris is the current Chair of the Board of Directors at the Quinte West Youth Centre and is honoured to serve in this role. She has been a dedicated member of the Board for the past three years and is deeply passionate about ensuring that young people in Quinte West have access to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where they can feel connected and supported.

A daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Maria has proudly called the Quinte West community home for over 20 years. She is an educator and lifelong learner, and through her current role as Principal of St. Paul Catholic Secondary School, she sees firsthand the crucial need for youth‑centered spaces that support well‑being, belonging, and growth beyond the school day.

Maria brings a strong skill set to the Board, including organization, leadership, and fundraising, along with a vision to help grow the Youth Centre so it is accessible and responsive to the needs of all youth in the community. She is enthusiastic about working alongside fellow Board members, staff, and community partners to strengthen and sustain the important work of the Quinte West Youth Centre.

Dolly Cedeno

Dolly Cedeno

Vice Chair

Dolly brings professional expertise and passion of supporting the community through volunteer commitments. She is certified as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with 25+ years of financial, audit, and risk management experience. She has volunteered for over 15 years promoting higher education, delivering financial literacy to schools and parents, as well as supporting the wellbeing of youth.  

Her service to the Quinte West Youth Center includes assisting financial functions of the organization, supporting the execution of fund-raising events, and the delivery of financial literacy programs directly to youth.

With years of experience in accounting and a dedication to empowering the next generation, Dolly strives to make a positive impact by helping youth develop essential life skills and confidence. Her commitment to giving back reflects both her rigour as a CPA and her belief in building a strong and supportive community for the youth.

Victoria Boyle

Victoria Boyle

Secretary

Victoria (she/her) is an Improvement Advisor with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, where she supports efforts to advance systems-level change and sustainable solutions to homelessness across Canada. With a strong commitment to positive youth outcomes, she brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her work, focusing on improving the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Her approach is grounded in collaboration, equity, and a deep belief in the potential of young people to thrive when given the right supports.

She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and Political Science from the University of Guelph, as well as a Master of Arts in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University. As a proud member of the Board of Directors for the Quinte West Youth Centre, Victoria is dedicated to helping guide the organization’s mission to create meaningful opportunities and brighter futures for youth in the community. Outside of work, you’ll find Victoria travelling, crafting, enjoying our local trails and provincial parks, or watching reality TV with her wife and dog. 

Duncan Armstrong

Duncan Armstrong

Director

Retired High School Teacher
City of Quinte West Councillor – Trenton Ward 1
Dave Stephens

Dave Stephens

Director

Dave has worked at the leadership/management level of the federal government for 31 years at various departments including oversight of procurement, facilities management, Human Resources, finance, Health and Safety as well as the chair of Employment Equity and Diversity, overseeing a staff complement of 400 people, delivering correctional programming and life sustaining systems for 700 incarcerated federal offenders.
 
Dave continues public services in his retirement as a director of the Trenton Care and Share food bank as well.
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Donald Lucas

Director

Independent Broker, World Financial Group

Joel Ranes

JOEL RANES

Director

Joel is a board member with the Quinte West Youth Centre, bringing a practical and systems-oriented approach to supporting the organization’s growth and stability. He has a background in construction, facilities, and hands-on problem solving, and is passionate about creating safe, functional spaces that support community impact.

Joel is particularly interested in strengthening governance, building sustainable systems, and helping organizations move from reactive to intentional operations. He is committed to supporting the Youth Centre as it develops strong leadership, clear structures, and a welcoming environment where young people can thrive.

He is currently Construction Skills Trainer for Keepers of the Circle.

Melanie Wood

Melanie Wood

Director

Melanie has been supporting children, youth, and communities for 20 years. From educational support to youth work, she combines hands-on experience with a passion for helping others thrive. Active volunteer and fundraiser, she is committed to making a positive impact wherever she serves.

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Rachael Tracey

Director

Rachael brings a wide range of experience to her role on the Board of Directors. She has previously served on two Committees of Council (Museum Advisory Committee in PEC and the Essa Public Library Board in Essa Township), as well as being part of various service clubs over the years. She also writes (though it’s been a few years since her last article) as The Philanthropic BookAce.
Her “why” is simple – she believes in the power of youth and that they deserve to have access to the resources they need to be as successful as they are able. And she believes firmly that young leaders are not just Canada’s next leaders, but Canada’s young leaders right now.
In her full-time employment she is a member of the Federal Public Service at CFB Trenton. In her other community role, she is a staff member of a youth development program that specializes in discipline, mentoring, coaching, and helping youth find their way through experiences you can’t get anywhere else.
Her favourite leadership quote is the one that goes along these lines: “Never aim to be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you’re in the wrong room.” When she’s not doing her best impression of Kara Danvers/Supergirl, you can find her either at the gym, exploring the local area, or with her nose planted firmly in a book either on her couch, a library, or a coffee shop.
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Sarah Patterson

Director

The Speak Up Brand Owner