Staff

From left to right: Andrea Decoste, Director, Finance & Administration; Steve Cordes, Executive Director; Melissa Abercromby, Director, Operations & Project Management; Christine Dirks, Director, Marketing & Communications

Steve Cordes
Executive Director

Steve is credited with developing Youth Opportunities Unlimited into an internationally recognized and award-winning agency in the area of youth services and with building a diverse staff team that has developed and sustained a highly integrated model of youth services, supports, training and education which permeates all areas of the agency. This model includes the innovative Enterprise Services program which incorporates private sector principles and practices into a non-profit organization. The award-winning Enterprise Services program has been recognized across North America and abroad. Steve received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The University of Western Ontario and is recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship through Rotary. He is a sought after speaker on topics related to youth, social enterprise and innovation and has extensive connections within the non profit sector on both national and international levels. Steve joined the agency in 1984 and has served as Executive Director since 1988.

Christine Dirks
Director, Marketing & Communications

Christine brings 20 years expertise in strategic marketing, branding and communications to her work with Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Prior to joining the agency in 2007, Christine served as Marketing Manager, Galleria London. This followed a career as a features writer and columnist for publications including, among others, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, Canadian House & Home, Azure and The London Free Press. Before moving to London, Christine specialized in International Marketing with the Toronto-based trade association, Canadian Book Publishers' Council. She received her Masters in Journalism from The University of Western Ontario and Honours Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Waterloo. Her volunteer work includes board member positions with several London heritage and community groups.

Melissa Abercromby
Director, Operations & Project Management

Melissa leads the agency's social enterprise program and provides project management and operational direction to various programs and projects. Melissa has more than six years of program management, project management and leadership experience and has worked in Canada with Corix Utilities and CH2M Hill Canada and in Australia with GHD Party Ltd. She received her Masters in Business Administration with a Strategic Management Concentration from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering with Management Science Option from the University of Waterloo. Her volunteer work includes the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the United Way of Ontario.

Andrea Decoste
Director, Finance & Administration

Andrea has more than 10 years experience managing non-profit and for profit Finance and Administration departments in Canada, Scotland and the Netherlands. Andrea brings a versatile skill set to the role of Director, Finance & Administration which includes an entrepreneurial background that is of particular benefit to the social enterprise services offered at Youth Opportunities Unlimited. She has served as Treasurer, Board of Directors, Neighbourhood Watch London, and currently serves as Director of Finance, Southwestern Ontario Wings and Wheels Association, which raises funds for five local charities. Andrea received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wilfrid Laurier University and is currently completing a Certified General Accountant designation.