YMCA Congratulates Allen Childs, First CEO of PA Alliance of YMCAs

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs is pleased to announce that Nathan Brant, CEO of South Mountain YMCA Camps, has been selected to serve as the next CEO of the Alliance, effective January 1, 2023. The Alliance Executive Committee embarked upon a search led by YMCA of the USA for the next Alliance CEO following the announcement of the retirement of their current CEO, Allen Childs.

Nathan Brant has served the South Mountain YMCA Camps, located in Berks County, PA, for 13 years as its CEO. Under Brant’s leadership, 16 buildings and program spaces across the mountain were renovated or replaced, program quality improved and Praesidium Accreditation in child protection standards was earned in September of this year. Additionally, more than $600,000 in funding was secured in 2022 to complete phase 2 of the camp dining hall project with construction beginning next year.

As Brant steps into his new role, he will bring the same focused energy that led to his success at South Mountain YMCA Camps to the strategic development and alignment of YMCAs across the state. “The PA Alliance Board, made up of every YMCA CEO/executive director in the state, welcomes Nathan to his new role,” commented Zane Moore, chair of the PA Alliance Board and president/CEO of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. “We look forward to continued collaboration and growth of the Y mission over the years to come.”

In February 2019, Allen Childs was appointed as the Alliance's first CEO, taking on the responsibility of delivering services such as board governance, strategic and capital planning and development to 57 YMCAs across the state. He led successful efforts to expand collaboration and shared learning, achieve a stronger voice in public policy across the Commonwealth, and pursued key strategic priorities in child care, child protection and YMCA sustainability through the COVID pandemic.

Under Childs’ leadership, the Alliance added the services of lobbying firm Milliron & Goodman, established a 501c3 entity in addition to a 501c4, and developed a management service organization to capitalize on shared services for all PA YMCAs as they seek efficiency and sustainability following the pandemic.

“Allen was a guiding light for Ys across Pennsylvania as we faced challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” commented Moore. “The Alliance Executive Committee appreciates his tremendous contributions to the Y movement, and I am personally thrilled that he will continue to contribute as the Chief Volunteer Officer for the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties board of directors.” Childs served as a YMCA of Bucks County board member prior to accepting the PA Alliance CEO position.

YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves nearly 70,000 members and participants at its seven member branches, seven child development centers, and 13 camp locations across Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties provides over $5 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcabhc.org