Introducing Kinbrace’s new Executive Director

The Kinbrace Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexandra (Alex) Dawley as Kinbrace Community Society’s next Executive Director.

Alex brings more than 15 years of experience walking alongside refugee claimants and forcibly displaced communities in Canada, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and beyond. She has served in senior leadership roles for over a decade and has been part of the Kinbrace community for the past three years, most recently as Director of Programs, where she has provided strategic leadership across Kinbrace’s Refugee Protection, Settlement, Housing & Community, and Communications programs.

Throughout her career, Alex has led refugee-serving programs, strengthened organizational systems, cultivated partnerships across the sector, and contributed to initiatives that have advanced refugee protection and settlement practices across British Columbia. Her work has consistently centred on ensuring refugee claimant voices and lived experiences shape programs, partnerships, and decision-making. She holds a Master’s degree in International Social Development from the University of Sussex, specializing in forced migration.

This appointment follows a comprehensive search led by the Board’s Search Committee in partnership with an external recruitment firm through which more than 100 applications were received. Through a rigorous discernment process, the Board came to the unanimous and joyful conclusion that the person best equipped to lead Kinbrace into its next chapter was already part of the Kinbrace community.

Throughout this process, Alex consistently demonstrated the qualities we were seeking in Kinbrace’s next Executive Director: a deep commitment to refugee claimants, strategic leadership, humility, collaboration, and a genuine embodiment of Kinbrace’s values.

Reflecting on her appointment, Alex shared:

“I am deeply honoured to serve as Kinbrace’s next Executive Director and to continue this journey alongside our dedicated staff, Board, volunteers, residents, donors, and community partners. Kinbrace’s values of Welcome, Trust, Mutual Transformation, Celebration, and Prayer reflect values that have guided me throughout my life and leadership. I look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been laid while listening well, nurturing meaningful relationships, and walking together toward our shared vision of a world of welcome, a community of belonging, and a lifetime of opportunity with and for every refugee claimant.”

Alex succeeds Loren Balisky, Kinbrace’s co-founder, who has faithfully led the organization since 1998. Through Loren’s leadership, Kinbrace has become a place where thousands of refugee claimants have experienced welcome, found community, and begun rebuilding their lives with dignity and hope. His faithful leadership has shaped not only an organization, but a community where refugee claimants, volunteers, churches, donors, staff, and neighbours have experienced mutual transformation together.

We are grateful that Loren will continue serving Kinbrace in a new role focused on donor engagement and strengthening the organization’s long-term sustainability.

Reflecting on this transition, Loren shared:

“Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of watching Alex lead with wisdom, humility, courage, and deep care for both people and mission. I cannot think of a better person to lead Kinbrace into its next chapter. She embodies the heart of this community while bringing the skills, strategic leadership, and vision needed for the future. I am excited to continue supporting Kinbrace as Alex leads us forward.”

The Board extends its immense heartfelt gratitude to Loren for his extraordinary vision, faithful leadership, and enduring contribution to Kinbrace for almost three decades.

The Board also recognize with deep gratitude the remarkable community that has shaped Kinbrace over the past 29 years.  Whether you are a person with lived refugee claimant experience, a neighbour, a donor, a volunteer, a partner, a staff member, or supporter of any kind – thank you. Your faithful commitment has made this next chapter possible.

As we look ahead, we do so with deep hope and anticipation for what will be done through this remarkable community.

Brendan Morey

Acting Chairperson, Kinbrace Community Society