New Canadians Centre Seeks New Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 26, 2025
New Canadians Centre Seeks New Executive Director
Andy Cragg Announces Resignation
Peterborough, ON – The New Canadians Centre (NCC) announced today that Andy Cragg is stepping down as Executive Director, effective at the end of this June, after close to six years in the position.
“Andy has made tangible, lasting contributions to the organization and Peterborough is a more inclusive and welcoming community because of his efforts. We are truly grateful for his dedicated service – he will be missed,” said board chair, Ghada Hussein.
Since taking on the leadership role of Executive Director in 2019, Andy has been instrumental in guiding the growth of the New Canadians Centre and navigating the local impact of multiple challenges and crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall of the political regime in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and changes in Canada’s immigration policies.
In Andy’s tenure, many programs and services were added and expanded so that the NCC could better meet the language, educational, employment and settlement needs of new Canadians. The staff complement grew from 25 to 50, and the organisation’s budget doubled as NCC was successful in applying for grants and growing support from donors. The NCC served more than 2,000 newcomers from 104 countries last year – a 50% increase over the previous year. Initiatives such as English in the Workplace, the Life Skills Program, and Community Training Program were put into place to respond to client and community needs. With Andy’s encouragement, the NCC also developed a Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan – a commitment to support clients, volunteers, and employees to realize a vision of nation building that grows from mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous peoples and settlers. Most recently, Andy has led the successful negotiation of a three-year contract with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to continue our work of serving newcomers in our region.
“It is an enormous privilege to lead this organization and an honour to contribute to its transformative work. After an incredibly rewarding six years, I’m looking forward to shifting focus to time with my young family,” Andy said.
The Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process to identify a new Executive Director and will work closely with Andy and the senior leadership team to manage the transition process and ensure operational continuity. A job posting will be shared in April, with the new Executive Director expected to be announced prior to Andy’s departure.
Through NCC, newcomers can access a variety of programs and services, such as settlement and employment counselling, language assessments, workshops (e.g., taxes and citizenship), English conversation and women’s groups, skills training, youth programming and recreational outings. The NCC also takes an active role in community development and is one of the founding organizations of the Peterborough Immigration Partnership.
Media Contact:
Andy Cragg, Executive Director, 705-808-3603, andy@nccpeterborough.ca
Yvonne Lai, Director of Community Development, 705-743-0882, yvonne@nccpeterborough.ca