McGaw YMCA President/CEO Mark A. Dennis, Jr. Announces Retirement

MCGAW YMCA PRESIDENT/CEO MARK A. DENNIS, JR. ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT;
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NAMES COO MONIQUE PARSONS AS INTERIM PRESIDENT/CEO

Board of Directors Plans to Introduce Permanent Replacement by Early 2018
November 20, 2017 (Evanston, Illinois) – Current McGaw YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Dennis, Jr. announced that he will be retiring from his position after Thanksgiving. Dennis has been in his role at McGaw Y since April 2014. In a heartfelt letter to staff he stated, “The time has come for new leadership to work toward harvesting the fruit of McGaw’s future, and for me to begin the retirement chapter of servant-leadership with my beloved family.”

“Mark has served McGaw with dedication and passion and he will be truly missed,” said Pat Maunsell, Chair of the McGaw Y Board of Directors. “We wish him all the best as he moves into this next chapter of his life.” Maunsell also announced that McGaw Y’s current Chief Operating Officer Monique Parsons will take on the role of Interim President and CEO.

Parsons has served the McGaw Y for 12 years and has exceptional knowledge of all aspects of the organization. “Monique is an amazing leader who is deeply dedicated to our vision,” said Maunsell. She added, “Undoubtedly, our talented leadership and mission-driven staff here at McGaw will enable us to continue forward seamlessly.” Parsons started her tenure at McGaw as vice president of programs, handling youth and leadership initiatives, as well as program development. Later she expanded her focus to building strategic community collaborations and transforming membership. She has served as COO since 2010.

The McGaw Y’s Board of Directors will begin the process of determining a permanent replacement for Dennis, with an objective of filling the position by early 2018.

The McGaw YMCA (www.mcgawymca.org) is a cause-driven, charitable organization at the heart of Evanston. Over the course of its 132-year history, the McGaw Y has touched every facet of the community with its commitment to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. It continues to promote growth in spirit, mind and body though programs and services for all people, from all walks of life.

The McGaw Y is headquartered at 1000 Grove Street which houses its comprehensive Wellness Center with two pools and drop-in childcare space, the MetaMedia digital lab center for youth, and the long-standing men’s residence. Additionally, the McGaw Y offers programs and services at The Children’s Center, 1420 Maple Avenue, Family Focus Center, 2010 Dewey Avenue, and Camp Echo in Fremont, Michigan. Currently the McGaw Y has 12,000 members and serves an estimated 20,000 people in the community each year. For more information visit www.mcgawymca.org.

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