YMCA Reignites Leadership as Premier Provider
of Sports & Aquatics
CHICAGO, May 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago announces the
appointment of Alicia Gonzalez as
its Chief Sports Impact Officer. This appointment builds on the
organization's rich history as a leader in sports and legacy of
inspiring change through the Power of Play.
"At the YMCA of Metro Chicago, we're reigniting our leadership
as the premier provider of sports and aquatics in the region, and
Alicia will play a crucial role in driving these efforts forward,"
said Dorri McWhorter, President
& Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
"Alicia's vision will ensure that our sports and aquatics programs
not only promote physical health and wellbeing, but also support
youth development, strengthen community bonds, encourage teamwork,
and foster a sense of belonging."
Born and raised in the heart of Chicago's Pilsen and Little Italy
neighborhoods, Gonzalez has dedicated her life to fostering equal
opportunities and nurturing inclusive communities. She brings a
wealth of experience to the YMCA, having most recently served as
Executive Director of Chicago Cubs Charities. In this role, she
spearheaded philanthropic efforts and programmatic investments that
significantly expanded youth programs and leveraged the
transformative power of sports to promote health, academic success,
and equity.
"Sport has the power to transform individual lives, connect
communities, and build the next generation of leaders," Gonzalez
said. "Sports is uniquely positioned to be a pathway to a more
peaceful, healthy, and vibrant place to live and work. I am beyond
excited to advance play and impact across sports and aquatics at
the YMCA of Metro Chicago."
Before her tenure with the Cubs Charities, Gonzalez was the
Founding Executive Director of Chicago Run, a nonprofit
organization that delivers free sport-based youth development
programs to more than 15,000 students across Chicago Public Schools.
"With Alicia at the helm of the Y's sports and aquatics
portfolios and alongside our incredible teammates, we are confident
that our impact will be stronger than ever across the communities
we serve," McWhorter added.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
The YMCA of
Metropolitan Chicago is the leader in accessible, inclusive
programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year,
strengthening community by connecting all people to their purpose,
potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to
become a 21st-century social enterprise for the region, through an
association of 14 community hubs, 5 overnight camps, and 100
extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more
about the Y's locations and programming at ymcachicago.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Katy Broom
Director,
Marketing & Communications
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
312-932-1171
kbroom@ymcachicago.org
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SOURCE YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago