Image: Krista Petrie / Karyn Santiago (centre), out-going CEO of Communitas, stands between the current CEO, Matt Dirks (left) and former CEO Steve Thiessen. The three CEOs came together at a farewell event held for Santiago in Abbotsford.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Non-profit CEO bids farewell

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Jul 22, 2025 | 7:56 AM

ABBOTSFORD — Karyn Santiago’s time with Communitas Care Society in Abbotsford has come full circle.

Back in the early 2010s, Santiago had been working for a sister charity and felt convinced that her time there was wrapping up, but she had no idea where she thought God would lead her next. All she knew at the time was that she wanted to keep working in the charitable sector with an underlying goal of finding a way to use her gifts in a people-oriented organization.

“God often tells me the end but not the beginning, so I walk by faith,” Karyn reflects. “It’s happened a few times over my life, so I find that it gets a little easier each time.”

In a statement from the faith-based organization, Santiago’s trust in God is what called her to Communitas 13 years ago. At the invitation of the HR officer, Justina Penner, those desires brought Santiago to Communitas as the philanthropy assistant; however, God was at work with another ending: Steve Thiessen, who had been Communitas’ CEO for 32 years, was retiring and the search was on for a replacement.

Karyn prayerfully considered the role. Her leadership skills had been tested in Uzbekistan when she served as the director of operations with Central Asia Free Exchange. She had also become familiar with the Mennonite community in Abbotsford through her work with both Mennonite Central Committee and as a board member of the Fraser Valley Gleaners. In other ways, she felt very “green”, knowing very little about the social services sector. Still, she felt God nudging her to apply and in February of 2013, she began as the new CEO.

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“I felt so good about the organization and I was so grateful for the many people who had gone before me, who had laid such a firm foundation,” Karyn says. “It was also such a gift to have overlap with Steve, and have the time to ask questions, absorb the history of Communitas, and learn from him.”

Karyn has come to appreciate the complexity of the social services sector in any community where Communitas serves, noting how much of the work that is done goes unnoticed.

During her time with Communitas, she has seen the organization grow, change, and weather some significant events. She notes that celebrating Communitas’ 50th anniversary in 2024 was definitely a highlight.

“It was so great to look back and reflect, and also to look ahead and dream,” she says. “I am so grateful to have been able to walk through 2024 and say ‘this is us!’”

There were also difficult times during her tenure. The pandemic and its effects on the social services sector had enormous impact, both on the organization and on her personally.

“It was a hard, hard season and in some ways, I think I’m still recovering from that experience as a leader,” she reflects. “What kept me going is our amazing staff and how we were able to come through this tough season having cared so beautifully for the people we serve.”

Karyn acknowledges that she will miss her colleagues the most – the people that are served by Communitas and dedicated colleagues who are deeply committed to their work. She has met so many people: others in similar organizations, government funders, donors, and other supporters who have left their mark.

“Thirteen years later, I’m not the same person,” she says. “My time with Communitas has changed me. I have learned to be a gentler person, and I hope that I have become a more generous, accepting person.”

Karyn is confident that she is leaving Communitas is good hands as Matt Dirks steps into the role of CEO.

“Overall, Matt is better qualified to lead Communitas than I was when I joined. His education, his experience within the organization, and his own life experiences make him abundantly qualified for this role,” she says. “I’m so excited that God has called him to this position, at this time!”

While Karyn is not retiring, she is also not sure what her next role will be. She intentionally has not been looking for a new opportunity while the search for the next CEO was active, as she hoped to be able to give to the new CEO what was given to her: the opportunity and time to share knowledge and information.

“It’s important to begin well, and it’s just as important to end well,” she says. “I’m grateful to be able to release the next season of leadership and to support Matt to thrive and grow.”