Lucria Ortiz
The Yonkers Family YMCA announced that its President and CEO, Lucria Ortiz, will be stepping down as of December 8th. She has accepted the role of President & CEO of a New York City national non-profit serving youth.
“Since joining the Yonkers Family Y in November 2019, Lucria has been instrumental in steering our organization through unprecedented challenges, especially in light of the pandemic,” said Emily Ramos, the Yonkers Family Y’s Chief Volunteer Officer. “Perhaps even more impactful has been Lucria’s influence on the organizational culture of our YMCA.
“She has created a coaching culture, nurturing a resilient and dedicated team that will continue to uphold our mission. Including myself, Lucria has grown the Yonkers Family YMCA Board from 5 to 16 professionals and community leaders who will set the future strategic vision of the organization. Her legacy will be felt for years to come.”
During her tenure, Ortiz increased government and private funding by $600,000 in pandemic years 2020 to 2021, in order to serve 14,000 meals (an increase of 75%) and firmly established the Y’s weekly food pantry program; reached more youth with violence prevention work in SNUG neighborhood zones; created new programs to address youth mental health including Project Breathe; was awarded $500,000 in anti-violence funding that the Y passed through to support powerful community-based organizations including 914United, WeArtOne and Exquisite Dance Force; and acquired the management of 12 city-wide community gardens expanding to 14 under her tenure, cementing the Y’s commitment to healthy living.
Ortiz also secured $1.3M in capital funding for the pool, building structural repairs and a mobile anti-violence RV that will begin programming in 2024. She steered and oversaw major facility renovation to the roof, full-service kitchen (after a devastating fire) and five residence common bathrooms.
Beyond her work at the Y, Ortiz became a strong voice for equity in the city, helping drive the City’s first ever Equity Officer appointment, who advises the Mayor and city staff on all matters from a diversity, equity & inclusion lens. As a Board member of Nonprofit Westchester, she chaired and helped build Peer to Peer, New York state’s first ever affinity group for nonprofit employees of color. Ortiz was appointed by the New York State Human Rights Commissioner to the Hate and Bias Prevention Regional Council. Ortiz’s scope increased beyond New York state when she was named to the National Board of the YMCA of the USA in 2022, where she provides oversight on strategy, vision and governance of the nationwide YMCA movement.
“It has been an immense privilege and honor to serve the residents of Yonkers, a vibrant city full of servant leaders. I have learned so much and developed great friendships with activists, organization leaders, business owners, corporate partners and elected officials. Leading the incredible servants at the Y has been most fulfilling and all of the Ys accomplishments during my time must be attributed to the entire team. I will take this meaningful experience with me and pour into youth locally and nationwide in my next role,” said Ortiz.
The Yonkers Family YMCA Board of Directors, in partnership with Y-USA, will begin its search to fill the role of President & CEO in the upcoming weeks and appoint an interim CEO during the transition. An announcement regarding the Interim CEO is forthcoming.
