The Canadian Office Products Association has welcomed Joanne Young Evans as its new president and CEO. Speaking exclusively to OPI+, the former head of Ontario’s registered nurses association said she is glad to find the OP industry in good health. "The politics of OP is extremely enticing as COPA represents both sides of the sector and although I see challenges, I also see many opportunities to partner, collaborate and make the sector even stronger."
Asked why she chose to join COPA, Evans said: "What attracted me to COPA is that it is a national trade association and my ten years of association management experience has been at a provincial level, working with individual member associations. I am keen to embrace the opportunity to work with a broader scope of members from coast to coast."
One of the few women to achieve a high role in the industry, Evans made clear her plans for the future. "I look forward to tackling issues of recruitment and retention in the industry, for both men and women. However, I note that there may be a need to focus on women in the industry." Evans is very familiar with recruiting the under-represented. She implemented a campaign on male recruitment in the nursing industry during her time as executive director of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.
Evans’s future vision for COPA involves achieving more exposure for its members, the association and the industry. On a more personal level, she is very grateful to COPA for its support of her volunteer efforts in Africa. The charitable character has participated and led in trade missions to Namibia for capacity building in strategic planning, association and municipal governance and communications.
Although only having been in her new role for a short while, she appears to be quite settled: "Although I have officially only been in the sector for a few weeks, I have met some wonderful people both here in Canada and the US that has help to make the industry what it is today and look forward to connecting with many more across the globe."
According to COPA, the new arrival has made an immediate impact. A spokesman added: "Evans’s presence has already enlivened the office, bringing a fresh new outlook. She has dived into the daily business of the association without hesitation, showing adaptability, fortitude and dedication."
We are not alone in wishing her all the best for the future.
