INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Janelle Lee
Janelle is proud to be leading the team of dedicated professionals at YWCA Canton. Janelle is a dynamic and respected nonprofit and business development leader with more than 20 years of experience expanding partnerships, strengthening community relationships, and driving organizational growth. She is widely recognized for her strategic planning expertise, stakeholder engagement, and mission-focused leadership approach.
Most recently, Janelle served as Director of Client Engagement at MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, where she led economic and community engagement initiatives across 11 Northeast Ohio counties. Her work deepened regional connections with small and mid-sized manufacturers, advanced targeted outreach strategies, oversaw operations for MAGNET’s Canton office, and strengthened relationships with key economic development partners, government officials, and community organizations.
Janelle previously served as an Economic Development Consultant and Community Engagement Officer for Strengthening Stark, where she helped design and implement countywide economic strategies, build cross-sector partnerships, lead strategic planning efforts, and communicate Stark County’s competitiveness goals across broad stakeholder groups.
Contact Janelle at jlee@ywcacanton.org
FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER
Donna Sovie
Donna serves as the fractional Controller for YWCA Canton. She founded Check & Balance Business Solutions to help nonprofits and businesses be profitable and remain compliant with funders and governmental agencies. Her 27 years of diverse experience in the nonprofit, construction, wholesale distribution, and service sectors, combined with her education, have provided Donna with detailed knowledge of the accounting and operations process and how each plays a role in affecting bottom-line results. She has successfully supported other YWCAs during times of transition and she wholeheartedly embraces the YWCA mission!
Donna earned a master’s degree in accounting and finance from Southern New Hampshire University.
Contact Donna at dsovie@ywcacanton.org
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Dr. Carrilyn Stevens Long
Dr. Long’s career path began as a kindergarten teacher and continued to include leadership roles as Adoption Supervisor with Stark County Human Social Services, and Head Start Director with Stark County Community Action. Dr. Long also previously held the role of Assistant Director of Early Head Start with YWCA Canton.
Her experience led to roles in higher education when she served as the Dean of Education and Human Services at Stark State College, Clinical Coordinator in Education Department and Director of Multicultural Affairs at Walsh University. This was followed by Program Manager of National Science Foundation STEM Grant at The Ohio State University.
Dr. Long has received numerous accolades including 2025 National Association of Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award (Region 8), but her passion is making a difference in the lives of children and their families, as well as developing young professionals as future leaders. Through intentional training, leadership development, and mentoring, Dr. Long believes that when we use our gifts and talents that we are blessed with, we can become change agents.
Contact Carrilyn at clong@ywcacanton.org