Getting to Know Kelly, Princeton YMCA’s New Branch Executive Director

Being a part of a multi-county YMCA association, we know how busy schedules can be! So, our Marketing Director, Jenayah Foster, e-connected with Kelly to help our members and community get to know her a little better.

Here’s what she had to share:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background. What brought you to the YMCA and ultimately to Princeton YMCA?

A: My introduction to the YMCA came through my role at the YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center. I was drawn to the opportunity to lead a larger facility and make an even greater impact within a community. Having previously worked in a neighboring town, I was excited to continue serving a community that had eagerly awaited the opening of its community center.

Once I began working with the YMCA, I quickly learned about the far-reaching impact YMCAs have beyond the well-known gym and swim programs. The YMCA’s commitment to strengthening communities through Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility broadened my perspective on the organization’s role.

Princeton presented an opportunity to continue making a meaningful impact while also being closer to my home in East Windsor. Although I was saddened to leave a community that had welcomed and supported me for decades, I am excited to continue serving and helping those in my own backyard.

Q: You have more than 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and community-based organizations. What has that experience taught you about building strong teams and serving a community?

A: Strong communities and strong teams support one another. Every member contributes to the success of the whole. A leader's responsibility is to identify how each person fits into the group and recognize the unique talents and strengths that they bring.

Leadership does not mean doing everything your own way or doing it alone. It means listening, showing respect, building understanding, and trusting the people you lead. When individuals feel valued and empowered, teams can accomplish far more together than any one person can alone.

There is a quote on the bench outside the YMCA that reflects this philosophy perfectly: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb.

I believe this sentiment embodies the spirit of the YMCA and my approach to staff and team development. By working together, supporting one another, and building on our collective strengths, we can go further and have a greater impact on the communities we serve.

Q: Aquatics has been an important part of your professional background. What drew you to aquatics, and what do you enjoy most about that area of YMCA programming?

A: This story goes back a little further. To be honest, if you had asked the 13-year-old version of me, I would have confidently told you that I would never become a lifeguard. That lesson taught me early on never to say never.

I grew up spending my summers on Lake Ontario, where the water became my second home. When I reached high school, I was looking for a sport or activity that was uniquely my own, something that my siblings had not done before me. Thankfully, the high school swim coach gave me a chance to stay. I was a terrible swimmer at first, but he believed in me, stuck with me, and, in the end, aquatics stuck with me as well.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to teach generations of swimmers. I have watched babies experience their first sport, seen teenagers discover confidence they never knew they had, and witnessed the heartbreak of young competitors falling short of their goals only to return the next day more determined than ever.

As I have grown older, I have also been blessed to see the incredible sense of community that aquatics creates for adults and seniors. In the pool, they become one family. They support and encourage one another, check in on each other, attend doctor's appointments, celebrate milestones, and stand beside one another through life's most difficult moments. The relationships built in and around the water extend far beyond the pool deck, creating lasting connections and strengthening the communities they are part of.

Aquatics began as a personal passion, but it has become so much more. It has given me the opportunity to help others grow, build confidence, and find community, and I am grateful for the impact it has had on my life and the lives of so many others.

Q: What do you think makes aquatics programs so valuable to individuals and families, beyond simply learning how to swim?

A: Similar to my own journey, swim lessons may begin as a life skill. You will often hear me say, "The world is 70% water, so you better learn how to swim in it." Over the years, however, I have learned that swim lessons are about far more than safety and survival.

For many children, swim lessons are their first opportunity to interact with peers in a structured setting outside of school. They learn how to make friends, follow directions from someone outside their family, build trust, and develop confidence. Perhaps most importantly, they learn that success does not always come quickly. Progress often requires patience, repetition, and perseverance.

For our competitive swimmers, the lessons extend far beyond the pool. They learn time management, goal setting, discipline, teamwork, and how to handle both success and disappointment with grace. They discover that setbacks are not failures, but opportunities to learn, grow, and come back stronger.

For our seniors, the pool often becomes much more than a place to exercise. Many arrive because of a doctor's recommendation, but they leave with something far more valuable: a sense of belonging. They form friendships, build support networks, and create a community that extends well beyond the water.

What begins as a swim lesson often becomes something much greater. The pool is a place where people gain confidence, develop life skills, form lasting relationships, and find a community that supports them through every stage of life.

Q: Now that you’re stepping into your role at Princeton YMCA, what are you most excited about?

A: I am excited to lead the Princeton YMCA into its next chapter, expanding its impact and continuing to strengthen its role as a cornerstone of the community. My goal is to help grow innovative programs, deepen community connections, and ensure the YMCA remains an essential part of family life, where individuals of all ages can learn, grow, connect, and thrive together.

Q: What are some Princeton YMCA programs, services, or areas you’re looking forward to learning more about and growing?

A: I look forward to continuing to grow our Chronic Disease Prevention, group fitness, and personal training programs, helping individuals improve their health while building meaningful relationships. Team members like Suzette create welcoming spaces where participants feel supported, connected, and inspired.

Youth development is another area close to my heart. Through sports, after-school programs, Youth & Government, and summer camp, we have the opportunity to help young people build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

Aquatics remains one of our great strengths, from swim lessons and water fitness programs to our outstanding Masters Swim Team. I am also excited to support and learn more about our Judo program, where Cory's dedication and leadership have created a culture of growth, discipline, and belonging.

Q: What does being a community-focused leader mean to you, and how do you hope to connect with Princeton YMCA members, families, staff, and the broader community?

A: A community-focused leader is someone who takes the time to understand the needs of the community and works to serve and support those needs in meaningful ways. Community is not defined by a single generation, cultural background, or economic level. Rather, it is shaped by the intersection of all these experiences and perspectives.

As I begin this role, I look forward to learning more about our members, their histories, and their YMCA journeys. Every individual has a unique story, and understanding those stories will help me better serve our members and strengthen the connections that make the Princeton YMCA such a special part of the community.

Q: Finally, what would you like Princeton YMCA members and community members to know about you as you begin this new chapter?

That I truly believe in the power of community. Throughout my professional experiences both in non-profit and for-profit industries, I have seen firsthand how a welcoming environment, a caring staff member, a swim lesson, a wellness program, or a youth leadership opportunity can positively impact someone's life. Those moments are what continue to inspire me every day.

I believe the YMCA is at its best when it serves as a place where everyone feels they belong, regardless of age, background, or circumstance. My goal is to build relationships, listen to the needs of the community, and help create opportunities that allow individuals and families to thrive.

Want to learn more about Princeton YMCA, its programs, and everything happening at the Y? Visit www.gscymca.org/pry or stop by the branch, say hello, and introduce yourself to Kelly and our Princeton YMCA team!