Leadership

Dr. Rick Tobias
President and CEO

Rick Tobias is best known for his life-long advocacy on behalf of low-income and marginalized people. His early professional experience in his native Saint John, New Brunswick, introduced him to poverty that spans generations and requires a broad-based approach to change.

Rick began refining his understanding through his undergraduate degree in sociology from Acadia University. He pursued a focus on urban communities, graduating from the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education in Chicago, and completing a Master of Divinity degree at Acadia Divinity College. In 2003, he was awarded an honourary Doctorate in Divinity by McMaster University.

Before joining the staff of Yonge Street Mission, Rick worked to develop programs and ministries to address the needs of low-income and inner-city residents in Atlantic Canada.

In 1983, Rick became coordinator of YSM’s Evergreen Centre, which he refocused to address the needs of street-involved youth. His innovative work at Evergreen led to an invitation to become YSM’s CEO, a position he has held since 1989.

Rick has spoken hundreds of times on Canadian poverty, urban ministry, youth-at-risk and strategies for community-wide change. He appears frequently on television and radio, and in print media, and is sought after as a consultant and coach. Since 1984, he has been a regular lecturer at Tyndale University College & Seminary, and has both taught and consulted abroad.

Rick lives in Toronto with his wife, Charis, who owns a graphic design business. They have two adult sons, Jeremy and James. Apart from family and work, his interests are motorcycling, music and deepening his understanding of personal spirituality.

Karen Bach
Program/Ministry Officer

Karen is the Mission Program/Ministry Officer at Yonge Street Mission. Her responsibility is to oversee the delivery of the vast range of services that YSM offers to marginalized people living in poverty.

Prior to moving into this position, for seven and a half years Karen was the Director of YSM’s Evergreen Centre, where she oversaw the delivery of a complete range of services to meet the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are street-involved, including providing youth with essential life-skills education, employment search assistance, housing help and free health and dental care.

Paul Davidson
Mission Operation Officer

Paul Davidson joined Yonge Street Mission at the beginning of 2009 in the newly created role of Mission Operations Officer. Trained as an engineer, Paul has over 30 years of corporate experience, both in Canada and internationally. He has held executive positions in a broad range of manufacturing and service industries.

Paul chose to leave the for-profit sector later in his career and “give back” by joining YSM. His considerable talent and experience benefits YSM as he oversees Finance, IT and Property Services. He also has a lead role in business ventures like the Double Take Store, and will develop potential new business opportunities aligned with the Mission’s values and strategic direction.

Paul lives in Burlington with his wife, Susan. They have two adult sons and two grandchildren.

Meet Yonge Street Mission’s Board of Directors (Opens with Adobe Reader)