YMCA Community,
Later this year, I will be retiring from my role as President and CEO of the YMCA of the Triangle. The time has come for me to pass the baton of leadership. I make my decision to retire very confident in what’s ahead for the YMCA of the Triangle. Our Y is incredibly strong and its future extremely bright. Our Association’s capacity to change lives, build relationships and strengthen communities is unmatched.
I have been a part of the staff of our Y for 55 years. It has been a central part of my life since I took a summer job with Camp Seafarer at 17, and later, the decision to make a career at our YMCA was life changing.
In my nearly 30 years as CEO, I’ve seen our community change and grow at incredible speed. And thanks to a visionary and determined group of staff and volunteers, our YMCA has grown and changed with our community.
Today, the YMCA of the Triangle is one of the strongest YMCAs in the country, operating across seven counties serving more than 200,000 children, families and adults at 17 facility branches, three program centers, nearly 100 program sites and three overnight camps.
Yes, we’ve expanded and built some buildings through the years – but the Y is so much more than a building. The YMCA is people – together. And together, we did so much good.
Together, we worked to strengthen the foundations of our communities. Together, we’ve built connections, collaborations, lasting relationships and ultimately a stronger, more united, Triangle and region.
Through the years, we have been bold, determined and steadfast in the face of uncertainty and, at times, enormous challenges. We have mobilized to support our most vulnerable neighbors and bridge gaps – bringing people together to tackle pressing social issues. We have worked alongside communities to ensure their health and sustainability. We have opened our doors wide and gotten stronger. We kept our mission and purpose in front of us and changed lives.
At its core, the Y is people - together, in service, partnership and collaboration. The Y is all of us.
It has been a privilege to work alongside our exceptional Y staff each day. Their incredible expertise, dedication and determination to partner with the community is unequaled. And the personal and professional commitment they bring to their work is inspiring and energizing.
It’s also been an honor to work with volunteers and community leaders to guide and move our organization forward over the years. Their remarkable leadership continues to set the bar high to imagine and deliver innovative, high-quality programs and services that fuel the potential in people and communities.
The Board of Directors has begun the process of identifying my successor. Ed Fritsch, past YMCA of the Triangle Chief Volunteer Officer, a current Board member and Trustee, and our current Chief Volunteer Officer, Kari Stoltz, will lead the transition task force. Under their leadership, I have no doubt that an exceptional candidate will be selected. In the weeks ahead, they will share updates on the search process, and I will continue in my role until the new CEO begins later this year.
I am deeply proud of the work we’ve done and journey we’ve taken together.
Now, as my journey ends, I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life and more time with family, grandchildren, being outdoors and volunteering. But I will always be the Y's biggest cheerleader.
Thank you for all your support, counsel, partnership, trust and friendship over the years. As always, thank you for being a part of our YMCA.
See you soon,
Doug McMillan
President and CEO
YMCA of the Triangle