YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties Announces New Executive Staff Structure/Promotions

Tim Kerrihard, President & CEO, YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, has announced changes to the structure of its executive team and the addition of two newly-created positions. Dana Collins has assumed the position of Vice President-Operations and Valeria Galarza has assumed the role of Vice President-Strategic Expansion.

Collins, of West Collingswood Heights, previously served as the Y’s Executive Program Director where she oversaw Child Care and Day Camp operations. Under Collins’ leadership, Child Care and Camp programs have grown significantly while maintaining high quality standards. In her new role, Collins will continue to supervise the Child Care and Camp Operations and will also lead all membership, wellness, aquatics and facility operations for the Y’s Mt. Laurel and Burlington City facilities.

Galarza of Voorhees, and formerly of Camden, will focus on strategically growing partnership and program expansion efforts in Camden and Burlington Counties. Previously, she served as Program Director of the Y and also Project Manager of the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden on behalf of the Y. In this role, she successfully advocated and led local efforts to advance policy to support healthy eating and physical activity in the City of Camden, including a significant increase in breakfast participation for the Camden City School District. She also led efforts to transform lives and communities in Camden by revitalizing parks through the Y’s Safe Places to Play initiative. Recently, Galarza received the prestigious 2014 HALO Award presented by South Jersey Young Professionals in recognition of her extraordinary commitment of the betterment of South Jersey.

“Dana and Val are modern day trailblazers who have made significant impacts on the local community,” said Kerrihard. “In their new roles, they will provide tremendous leadership to Y staff as they spearhead efforts to expand program and membership operations to serve even more people across Burlington and Camden counties.”

About the Y

The YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties is a cause-driven, community based, charitable nonprofit organization that strengthens community by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults and families. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the community’s health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Throughout neighborhoods across the two counties and its 50+ sites, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 30,000 people each year to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymca-bc.org.