Celebrating Talent:
Greg Gary
As Canada’s leading consultancy to the non-profit sector, at KCI we measure our success through the success of our clients. It’s energizing to look back at 20 years of KCI Search + Talent candidate ‘placements’ to see what the leaders we’ve placed have accomplished for organizations all across our country.
It’s also gratifying to see that many people ‘placed’ by KCI have stayed and thrived in their roles long past the average tenure that we see in the sector. These are people whose loyalty, expertise, and passion for the mission drives long-term impact for their organizations, and the people and communities they serve.
We are celebrating these individuals through this ‘Celebrating Talent’ series of short profiles and interviews. We hope you enjoy reading about these inspiring sector leaders and celebrating their success along with us!
Celebrating Greg Gary, Executive Director, BGC Toronto Kiwanis
Why did you originally consider joining BGC Toronto Kiwanis?
When the recruiters first reached out to me, I had just finished my time at the University of Toronto as head football coach and had moved into the Dean’s Office working on special projects. At that point in my life and career, one thing that really stayed with me was the desire to get back to the kind of community I grew up in and contribute in a meaningful way.
The way they presented the opportunity at BGC Toronto Kiwanis felt exactly like that. It felt community-centered, youth-focused, and purpose-driven. I knew it would be a challenge, we were heading into COVID, and there were conversations happening around merging with the Cabbagetown Youth Centre in St. James Town, but I also knew this was work that mattered.
I care deeply about community. I care deeply about young people and creating opportunities for them. This role felt like a chance to help build pathways for youth to dream bigger about what their futures could look like, and that really connected with me personally.
What’s kept you with the organization for nearly 6 years?
Honestly, when I first came into the role, I didn’t know how long I would stay. A lot of my career has involved stepping into organizations during periods of transition, helping with culture change, systems change, and building momentum before moving on to the next challenge.
But what I saw here felt different. I saw an opportunity to bring community partners together and help elevate an organization that already had a really strong foundation. The people who came before us did a great job, but there was room to grow and evolve alongside the changing needs of the community.
The demographics in our communities were changing, and I wanted the organization to reflect the people we serve, not just in programming, but in culture, leadership, and approach. That’s what kept me here. The work felt bigger than just running programs; it felt like building something meaningful with the community.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time there?
We’ve accomplished a lot over the last several years, especially considering we came into this work during COVID-19. At the same time, we were also bringing the Cabbagetown Youth Centre into the organization, while managing significant leadership transitions across the board, new Executive Director, new finance leadership, new program leadership, all while trying to keep services going for the community.
What I’m most proud of is the team we built. I really believe we’ve brought together a group of people who genuinely care about young people and share a common vision for what this organization can be. That alignment matters.
I’m also incredibly proud of the work we’ve done with the Cabbagetown Youth Centre. We didn’t just merge organizations; we helped transform that space into a true community hub.
For me, our tagline, “Opportunity Changes Everything,” is more than just words. A lot of organizations say things like that, but I truly believe opportunity changes everything when you’re intentional about creating real pathways for young people. That’s the part that matters most to me, helping young people dream bigger and believe those dreams are possible.
Our communities are changing and facing real challenges , food insecurity, violence, poverty, systemic barriers, but what we try to create at BGC Toronto Kiwanis is a safe space where young people can come as their full selves, feel supported, and begin to see possibilities for their future. I think that’s some of the most important work we can do.
What’s next for BGC Toronto Kiwanis? What do you want people to know about the work that BGC Toronto Kiwanis does?
What’s next for us is continuing to deepen our impact in the communities we serve while building long-term sustainability for the organization. We want to continue creating meaningful opportunities for young people, whether through youth employment pathways, mental health supports, violence prevention work, leadership development, or community partnerships.
I also want people to understand that BGC Toronto Kiwanis is much more than an after-school program. We’re a trusted community space that has been serving children, youth, and families for over 100 years.
We operate in communities like Regent Park and St. James Town, where there’s incredible strength and resilience, but also real challenges. In St. James Town, for example, many newcomer families are trying to build a life in one of the most densely populated communities in Canada while navigating poverty and limited resources.
The work we do is about helping young people build skills, confidence, and pathways toward self-sufficiency. It’s about creating safe spaces where they feel seen, valued, and supported. At the end of the day, we want young people to believe they can dream big and actually have the support to pursue those dreams.
One piece of career advice you’d give to others?
One thing I’ve learned through my career, from professional sports to addiction and mental health work, to leadership in higher education and now community leadership, is not to be afraid to take your shot.
Don’t limit yourself to what feels immediately achievable or comfortable. Some of the best opportunities come from stepping into spaces where you’re unsure, challenged, or even a little afraid.
And don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is actually one of your greatest teachers. You learn far more from the moments that don’t go perfectly than from the moments when everything comes easy. Every setback teaches you something about yourself, builds resilience, and prepares you for what’s next.
So my advice would be: keep taking chances, keep learning, and don’t let fear stop you from going after something meaningful.
