Associate Executive Director of Youth Programming- Chatham YMCA
Years as a Camper: none
Years as a Staff Member: 2009-2013
Did you hold any positions?
Ranger Counselor, Aquatics Coordinator, Programs Coordinator, Management Trainee
Current Profession:
Associate Executive Director of Youth Programming- Chatham YMCA
Can you provide a brief overview of your job responsibilities?
I currently provide guidance and support to all YMCA Youth Programs across Chatham County including 6 After School locations and 4 Summer Day Camp Programs.
Do you have any career advice for members of our Camp community?
Be Well and Do Good. If you actively go out and try to learn all you can from others so you can do the most good possible, you'll likely find yourself where you want to be.
What do you believe have been some of your greatest personal and professional accomplishments? Is there a goal toward which you are currently working toward?
Over the last 15 years, I've been able to work in several communities across the Triangle serving thousands of kids and their families and I'm genuninely proud of the work that I get to do day in and day out that hopefully makes the lives of those families just a little bit better.
How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work/ and or personal life?
I think in leadership, whether it's in a corporate space or non-profit organization, the ironically named "soft skills" are some of the hardest to master. Empathy, conflict resolution, active listening, etc. were all things I was able to practice routinely in a camp setting. On top of that, there are so many transferable skills that camp from my time at Kanata. Project management, public speaking, quality assessment, change management... The list goes on.
Is there a person or situation that had a huge influence on you while you were at Camp? How and why did they/it impact you?
I think that Kanata and the people there had more impact on me than anywhere else in life. The majority of my dearest friends were all individuals from camp who collectively helped make me a better version of myself. I can think if 20 people right now that I could call if I ever needed anything that be there for me, and that's a pretty special thing.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Spend a reasonable amount of time taking care of things on the front end or you will spend an unreasonable amount of time dealing with the consequences on the back end.
What three words best describe you?
I hope that inclusive, kind and thoughtful are three words that would describe me.
What is your favorite camp memory?
I always enjoyed Unit Reveal during Staff Week, teaching Gold Band swim activities, but it's tough to top Friday night Campfires.
