New Leadership Appointment of Foundation Executive Director

We are pleased to share an important leadership update regarding the Waterloo Region Family and Children's Services Foundation.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation has appointed Jaya James as the Foundation’s new Executive Director, effective June 15, 2026.

Jaya joins the Foundation from Hope House Guelph, where she has served as Executive Director for the past nine years. During her tenure, she led the organization through a period of significant growth and impact, expanding its reach to support more than 7,000 vulnerable individuals annually. She successfully strengthened Hope House’s financial sustainability and led a $2 million capital campaign, exceeding its goal by 25 percent. Jaya is widely respected for her collaborative leadership style, community engagement, and thoughtful stewardship of donor relationships.

In addition to her professional experience, Jaya brings a deep personal connection to the Foundation’s mission and prevention-focused work. She is an adoptive parent and a co‑founder of Adoptive Family Camp, an initiative focused on strengthening attachment and resilience within adoptive families. Her lived experience, combined with her commitment to trauma‑informed and equity‑centered approaches, will meaningfully inform her leadership.

We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to Jill Stoddart, who will be retiring as Executive Director at the end of July 2026. Jill’s leadership and vision have helped position the Foundation for long‑term success