To celebrate International Women's Day, the California State Alliance of YMCAs would like to highlight our female CEOs who work diligently to lead their YMCAs in a forward momentum, no matter what the barriers they face.
Amy Grames, President & CEO of Central Coast YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
My Y story started in Sarasota, Florida; I was a member services associate in 1997. Since then, I worked in many different capacities in the Metro Atlanta Association and now in the Central Coast YMCA. My current Role is President & CEO.
What's one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to not let people and their opinions discourage me. Strive to be your best self with integrity and love. Do not get caught up in how others perceive you, it is just a perception. They do not know or understand you. Always treat others with "Grace", no matter what.
Audrie Echnoz, CEO of Corona-Norco YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
Just over 20 years ago, I took my then-little son, to his first swim lessons. Little did I know what was to come! Something felt different about this place; the Y. So warm, friendly, and caring. The front desk quickly knew our names and the swim teacher was so patient and kind. Every time we showed up for swim lessons, the staff were so happy to see us! I felt like we belonged in this new home away from home right away. As I was leaving one of his lessons, I noticed a job posting on the wall for Child Care Director. It all began that day. I applied and started at the YMCA in 2000 as the Child Care Director and moved up through Membership, Sr. Program Director, Associate Executive Director, Executive Director to now CEO for just over 2 years at the Corona-Norco Family YMCA. I had the honor of working with amazing Y staff at the YMCA of Greater Long Beach and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Both are amazing YMCAs that are impacting thousands of lives every single day. I continue to feel honored to serve in this capacity each and every day. I work alongside a dedicated Board of Directors and a staff team of amazing and committed leaders! I get to do this. What an amazing ride it's been thus far! So much more to come!
Of our three program areas (youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility), which is your favorite? Why?
Social Responsibility. In listening to our community, we hear what is needed to strengthen it and that is our responsibility; to respond. Families, youth, seniors, city council, schools, business members, civic groups; they are all aware of the community's needs. They will share openly as to how the Y can show up and be of service. Is it a safe place after school for their child, a food program, swim lessons, a place their mom or dad can fellowship with others? By strengthening our community, we are meeting the promise of the Y. That is Social Responsibility.
Margo Byrne, Alliance Board Member & CEO of Channel Islands YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
My Y story starts when I became a staff member 22 years ago. I started as an Aquatics Director. I had worked at pools and managed pools for much of my time in high school, college and grad school. It was an easy job that would give me time to work on my post graduate classes and gave me flexibility with my kids. In the months prior to taking the position, my father passed away and we moved to California. It was an unsettled time in my life. The Y staff and volunteers were so kind, and I saw how passionate they were about the mission. They supported me in the same way they supported our members and I deeply appreciated that. We did some great work in aquatics in my first year and the program grew significantly in numbers and quality. I was hooked! I was offered a promotion to a Sr. Director after a year and a half then onto an Associate Executive Director then Executive Director. I enjoyed each opportunity, especially the Executive Director role. The involvement with volunteers and the community was inspiring and fulfilling. I also enjoyed the opportunity to develop our staff team. The commitment, passion and positive energy of that the team helped to deepen my desire to make the Y a career. After 13 years at the branch level, I was promoted to COO. I served as COO for 6 years. I was given opportunities to hone my leadership skills and work on strategic initiatives that supported the growth of our Y and partnered with our team to adapt and implement systems and processes that strengthened our operations. In 2020 I was selected as the President and CEO of the Channel Islands YMCA. I am the first female to hold the position. I am challenged each day feel blessed and honored to lead our organization in service to our communities.
Of our three program areas (youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility), which is your favorite? Why?
It's impossible to pick one. That being said, I have spent most of my professional life in the space of healthy living and youth development. I am passionate about supporting individuals in our community to live their best lives and I believe everyone should have an opportunity to experience what the Y has to offer. Seeing youth who don't have the financial resources to participate in activities be able to join Y programming where they feel valued and successful makes the work we do each day worth it. In addition, helping someone engage and stick with a healthy lifestyle is important to me. We have an opportunity to change the landscape of preventive care in our community and nation. As a movement I am pleased to see intentional work being done in this space.
Mary Cutone, CEO of Burbank Community YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
I came to the Y pregnant with my second born because they had free child care while I worked out.
Of our three program areas (youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility), which is your favorite? Why?
Youth Development. It inspires everything else. I just think social responsibility should be weaved throughout youth development and healthy living. It should all be equitable.
Paula Simonds, Alliance Board Member & CEO of Family of the Desert YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
I attended our local Y when I was in elementary school, coached my boys in Y Rookies, my husband served on Y Board in Morgan Hill and I began working for the Family YMCA of the Desert in 2007. As they say, the rest is history!
Whose your professional role model? Why?
My mom! She was a compassionate, humble, witty and "service above else" educator, community member, friend and parent. Even when faced with adversity, she modeled the importance of embracing each day you are given and the value of making a difference for those around you.
Shannon Seifert, CEO of Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
Came to the Y trading labor for membership because I was a stay-at-home mom and needed the fitness and social interaction. I was invited to learn to 'teach a class and become an instructor'-an offer I immediately refused. The teacher was adamant and eventually I became certified and 'grew up' through every department of this Y. Turns out, I stayed because I saw what the Y REALLY is-A community hub that literally transforms lives.
Whose your professional role model? Why?
My role model is not a professional. Quite the opposite. My parents and farming community I grew up in all worked together to harvest each others' crops every season. It was simply 'what we do'. This left such an indelible impression on me that the Y's culture was wildly familiar when I realized what we were all about. See a need in a community and do our best to meet that need.
Sharna Braucks, CEO of Superior California YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
I started working for the YMCA when I was going to college. I got a job as a part time site director in the school age care program. Four years later, I became an associate executive and was asked to start a new YMCA in a new town, from scratch. After that I was moved to a larger branch and took over for a VP out on maternity leave, finished her capital campaign and ran the branch. Then the CEO created a product manager position for me and asked me to merge the child care between two mid sized YMCAs. After that, my CEO asked me to turn around a branch that was struggling and try to find another community opportunity to open another new Y. I did just that and in 4 years built a new YMCA with a partnership with the city and turned around the struggling branch. I was called by the CEO in Green Bay and asked to consider being a COO for him. I did that for 2 years and decided I wanted to be a CEO and applied for the Sacramento job after a friend recommended it. I luckily got the job and have been here the last and a half years. I am passionate about the impact the YMCA has children and families. I also have benefitted from great mentors throughout my career and I hope to be that for others within the movement.
Whose your professional role model? Why?
When I was growing up I wanted to be like Oprah. She was always so professional yet likeable and smart. I would say now I have many role models. I have been so fortunate to work with wonderful professionals within the Y and outside the Y that have and continue to shape me and my leadership.
Valarie Gomez, CEO of West San Gabriel Valley of YMCA
Tell us your YMCA story!
My grandparents met at the downtown YMCA after World War ll. My grandmother was a part-time bookkeeper and my grandfather had come to Los Angeles, California for better life opportunities and boarding at the Y was reasonable for a Veteran. My grandfather volunteered for every opportunity that became available, played tennis at the Y and loved everything about the Y. They married, and the rest is history. I came to the Y, 17 years ago and bridged into the Y. My grandparents are in Heaven, smiling down on the choice I've made to LOVE the Y which comes full circle.
Of our three program areas (youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility), which is your favorite? Why?
Youth development most definitely! We are building our future, one child at a time.