Mary Jane James, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE), will be retiring effective December 31, 2025.
Mary Jane has been a trailblazer on the issue of sexual violence for nearly two decades. She began her journey with SACE as a volunteer in 2007, quickly becoming indispensable before ultimately stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Throughout her tenure, Mary Jane has led with courage, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to survivors of sexual violence. Her visionary approach has strengthened the organization’s profile, expanded education on sexual violence, and increased access to support across our community. She has consistently taken bold steps to move us all closer to eliminating sexual violence.
Mary Jane’s legacy is reflected in numerous innovative initiatives that continue to shape SACE and the broader sector. These include the creation of the SACE Police and Court Support Program; bringing WiseGuyz under the SACE umbrella; partnering on Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence; and collaborating with the Edmonton Police Service on the Sexual Violence Advocacy Case (SVAC) reviews. In 2022, Mary Jane was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication to our community.
Mary Jane’s decision to retire marks the end of an extraordinary chapter. She will be deeply missed by the entire SACE team and by the many local, provincial, and national partners with whom she has built meaningful relationships over the past 18 years.
As SACE concludes its 50th anniversary year in 2025 as a full-service agency serving thousands each year, the Board of Directors and staff extend heartfelt gratitude to Mary Jane for the leadership that brought us to this milestone.
