President & Chief Executive Officer

About the Role

The South Sound YMCA presents a rare opportunity to lead an established, financially strong association poised for meaningful growth. Serving Thurston and Mason counties for over 120 years, the Y has earned a trusted place at the center of community life by bringing people together, expanding access to essential services, and responding to evolving needs. The next President and Chief Executive Officer will lead from a position of strength while shaping an ambitious vision for the future.

With approximately 28,000 members, three established branches, a fourth branch in development in Lacey, robust youth development and child care operations, and strong financial reserves, the South Sound YMCA offers both stability and extraordinary possibility. This role involves expanding the Y’s regional reach, elevating its visibility and influence, cultivating transformative partnerships, and ensuring programs and facilities remain relevant, accessible, and responsive for generations to come.

The Board seeks a dynamic, forward-thinking executive energized by possibility and inspired by community. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision to imagine the future, operational discipline to translate vision into results, and relationship-building ability to unite staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners around a shared purpose.

About the South Sound YMCA

For over 120 years, the South Sound YMCA has responded to the changing needs of its communities. Today, it provides welcoming spaces and high-impact programs that nurture youth, improve health and wellbeing, strengthen families, and create meaningful connections across Thurston and Mason counties. Programs include facility membership, aquatics, health and wellbeing, youth sports, school-age childcare, camps, teen leadership, community engagement, and financial assistance.

The association operates the Briggs Community YMCA and Plum Street YMCA in Olympia, the Shelton Family YMCA in Mason County, and an Association Office in Olympia. It also delivers childcare at 28 school sites and is advancing plans for a future branch in Lacey.

Mission and Values

Mission: To provide youth and our community an affordable and accessible resource for the positive development of spirit, mind, and body through recreational, health, and leadership programs.

Cause & Values: To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Culture: The Y Experience is built on the mission and encompasses the values and philosophy by which the Y serves and operates. Core tenets include:

• Welcoming: Open to all, a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.
• Genuine: Valuing individuality and embracing authenticity.
• Hopeful: Believing in potential and the power to do good.
• Nurturing: Supporting growth toward becoming the best version of oneself.
• Determined: Relentlessly working to make the community stronger.

Raising the BAR Initiative: A framework strengthening how the Y builds connections, supports growth, and creates meaningful experiences through Belonging, Achievement, and Relationships.

Key Strategic Initiatives

• Advance planning and development for a future YMCA branch in Lacey and expand access in north Thurston County.
• Sustain strong membership performance while deepening member engagement and retention across all branches.
• Strengthen school-age childcare enrollment, staffing, and long-term operating sustainability.
• Grow philanthropy, partnerships, and community support to increase access and fund mission impact.
• Continue building an anti-racist, multicultural organization where equity, justice, and belonging are reflected in systems, culture, and service.

Operations and Programs

Membership: 8,120 membership units, 27,644 members.

Branches:

• Briggs Community YMCA: The largest full-service branch, offering aquatics, health and wellness programs, group exercise, youth sports, and opportunities for connection.
• Plum Street YMCA: A community wellness center providing fitness, health and wellbeing programs, group exercise, and accessible opportunities for healthy lifestyles.
• Shelton Family YMCA: The primary presence in Mason County, offering aquatics, fitness, youth and family programming, and community-focused services.
• Future Lacey Branch: A new branch in development to expand access to YMCA programs and services in the growing Lacey area.
• Association Office: The central administrative hub supporting branches, youth development, community engagement, financial operations, fundraising, marketing, and strategy.

Core Programs:

• Facility Membership
• Aquatics and Swim Lessons
• School-Age Child Care and Camps
• Youth Sports and Monthly Youth Experiences
• Teen Programs and Youth & Government
• Health and Wellbeing Programs

Annual Support Campaign:

• Current Year Goal: $450,000
• Prior Year’s Total: $410,000
• Current Year’s Progress Toward Goal: $319,000
• $950,000 in financial assistance and free programming provided in the prior year.

Recent Capital Campaign: Raised approximately $13 million in 13 months to support the development of the Shelton Family YMCA. Planning is now advancing for the future Lacey branch.

Leadership and Governance

CEO Direct Reports:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Executive Director of Youth Development
• Executive Director of Community Engagement
• Executive Director of Advancement
• Executive Director of Branch Operations

Board of Trustees: 17 members with standing committees in Social Justice, Finance, Philanthropy, Marketing/Communications, and Governance.

Financial Overview

• Current Annual Budget: $13,617,890
• Current Debt: $5,014,660 (as of December 31, 2025)
• Current Endowment/Board-Designated Funds: $5,438,935
• Operating Change in Net Assets:
  • 2025: $1,491,494
  • 2024: $749,213
  • 2023: $816,750

About the Community

The South Sound offers an exceptional quality of life, combining the energy of a growing region with the character and accessibility of smaller communities. Located at the southern end of Puget Sound, the area is surrounded by forests, waterways, mountains, and public lands, making outdoor recreation—hiking, biking, boating, fishing, kayaking, camping, and waterfront activities—part of everyday life. Mount Rainier, Hood Canal, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Pacific Coast are all within reach, while Tacoma and Seattle provide access to metropolitan amenities, professional networks, airports, entertainment, and cultural attractions.

Olympia and Thurston County: As Washington’s capital, Olympia anchors Thurston County and serves as the region’s center for government, commerce, culture, and civic life. The city features a walkable downtown, active waterfront, locally owned businesses, arts and music, public events, and a well-established farmers market. The surrounding communities of Lacey and Tumwater offer growing residential neighborhoods, schools, businesses, healthcare resources, and family-centered amenities. Continued growth in Thurston County is increasing demand for accessible childcare, youth development, health, wellness, and community connection.

Shelton and Mason County: Mason County expands the Y’s service area into communities with a rural and small-city character. Shelton serves as the county’s primary center for employment, education, healthcare, and services. The region includes forested communities, working waterfronts, agricultural areas, and access to the Hood Canal and Olympic Peninsula. The YMCA plays a vital role as a gathering place and community connector, particularly for those with limited access to recreation, wellness, and social support.

A Diverse Economic and Civic Landscape: The South Sound is shaped by a mix of employers and institutions, including state and local government, healthcare systems, schools and colleges, nonprofits, small businesses, and regional industries. As the state capital, Olympia attracts professionals in public service, policy, education, and community leadership, creating opportunities for collaboration with government agencies, school districts, healthcare providers, employers, and foundations.

Higher education institutions—The Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College, and Saint Martin’s University—contribute to workforce development, cultural life, research, and community partnerships. The region is also home to sovereign Tribal Nations, whose histories, cultures, and governments are central to the South Sound. Building respectful relationships with Tribal communities is essential to understanding and serving the region.

Nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord contributes a significant population of service members, veterans, and military families, who bring diversity and experience while navigating transitions, deployments, and the need for strong community connections.

The South Sound balances professional leadership and personal quality of life, offering residents the chance to engage in civic and cultural life while enjoying outdoor access and meaningful community relationships. For the next President and CEO, this region provides a compelling platform for impact during a period of growth and change, with opportunities to expand the Y’s reach and relevance across urban, suburban, and rural communities.