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Seeking the Next CEO of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs
July 1, 2025
The Alliance Board of Directors is accepting applications for CEO of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs. The CEO of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs will work closely with the Board of Directors, 44 corporate YMCAs in Illinois, Training Partner Ys, Service Partner Ys, Third Party Providers, and YUSA to successfully build capacity of Illinois YMCAs and full the Alliance Partner Agreement. This individual will be responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic vision that considers and capitalizes upon the YMCA's brand identity, voice, and cause with the unique ability to coordinate, deliver and execute statewide initiatives that further strengthen the Y's cause in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
A strong candidate will have a proven track record in executive leadership and coordination of autonomous but related organizations, strategic planning and execution, advocacy and ability to influence constituents towards a common theme. The CEO will have full responsibility for providing leadership to and effectively managing the operations of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs; including but not limited to budget, human resources, financial development and strategic growth.
For more details and to apply: https://www.ymca.org/get-involved/careers/opportunities/open-positions/21205
Application period closes July 23rd. Interviews will take place in August and a new CEO is expected to be onboard by mid-October.
Seven Illinois YMCA Staff Complete 9-Month Multicultural Executive Advancement (MECA) Program
[Chicago IL, September 9, 2024]— The Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs announces the successful completion of the MECA program by seven Illinois YMCA staff members. The seven members graduating from the Illinois cohort are:
- Courtney Brame – Gateway Region YMCA
- Courtney Stevenson – Gateway Region YMCA
- Nia Jeffery – Gateway Region YMCA
- Mike Ortiz – North Suburban YMCA
- Megan Vasquez – North Suburban YMCA
- Michael Monis – YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
- Keesiya Robertson – YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Coaches for the 2024 Illinois MECA Cohort were:
- Chasity Everett – Program Manager – Learning & Development - YUSA
- Julio Vega -Director, Strategic Intervention – Network Experience - YUSA
- Ken Strawbridge – District VP – Gateway Region YMCA
- Glenn Haley – CEO – IL State Alliance of YMCAs
The Illinois State Alliance congratulates the graduates on their hard work and dedication to professional development. The Alliance thanks the volunteer coaches for their time in mentoring the next leaders of the YMCA movement.
The Multicultural Executive Career Advancement (MECA) is a professional development experience designed to prepare multicultural staff for their first Executive Director position. MECA was developed in response to the increasing number of requests from YMCAs asking Y-USA’s Multicultural Leadership Development and other networks to help them recruit a more diverse pool of Executive Directors candidates. MECA was created by YMCA Executive Directors who are Multicultural Executive Development Institute alumni to develop a pipeline within the Movement of Branch Executives who are representative of our changing population.
The objective of MECA is to prepare emerging leaders of color for Executive Director positions utilizing the 70/20/10 learning model. It is a hands-on developmental experience focused on specific competencies identified as necessary for success within the Executive Director position. MECA includes a blend of experiences, professional assessments, practicums and stretch assignments to provide a unique learning experience focused on preparing participants to succeed in achieving a branch executive position.
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The Y. For a better us.®
The Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs brings together more than 800 YMCA program locations impacting more than 150 communities and engaging nearly 1 million Illinoisans to strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Learn more at illinoisymcas.org.
The Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs brings together more than 800 YMCA program locations impacting more than 150 communities and engaging nearly 1 million Illinoisans to strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.