YMCA to Invest in People and Leadership as Part of 10-Year Plan

The YMCA of Greater Houston has embarked on a 10-year vision, focused on helping the community undergo a transformation that will result in empowered youth, healthier families and more inclusive communities. The first phase of the 10-year vision includes an invest in people and leadership in order to build a solid foundation to implement change.

In July of 2023 Rick Cruz was named COO for the organization. He immediately turned his focus to increasing efficiency and effectiveness, and expanding the organizations reach through community collaboration. The plan included investing in staff leadership and as a result, led to internal promotion of staff and recruitment of community leaders and technical experts from outside the Y. Recent staff promotions and hirings include:

• CODY MEREDITH District Executive Director, Langham Creek, Duncan, D. Bradley McWilliams
• ARIEL BAZAN Executive Director, Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA
• LESLEY ZIMMER Executive Director, Harriet & Joe Foster Family YMCA
• CECE CALDWELL Executive Director, Perry Family YMCA
• ESTEBAN MACIAS Executive Director, Langham Creek Family YMCA
• JESSICA PENNEY Executive Director, Lake Houston Family YMCA
• KASHALA POPE Executive Director, Teens & Houston Texans YMCA
• TIFFANY IRVING Director of Operations, West Orem Family YMCA
• ALEJANDRA ROSALES Director of Operations, MD Anderson Family YMCA
• DAYANA GOMEZ-MENDOZA Executive Director of Immigrant Youth Services, YMCA International Services
• LARRY TAYLOR District Executive Youth Development
• DETRA ALTON Executive Director of Community Outreach & Engagement
• JOCOLE ROGERS Director of Operations-Youth Development
• MONICA THOMPSON Director of Operations-Youth Development
• TERESA ARANA Director of Operations-Youth Development
• KENDRA CARROLL Director of Operations-Youth Development
• JOSH CRUZ Director of Operations-Youth Development
• RONNIQUE SMOOT Senior Program Director, Out of School Time – Katy Region
• ALEXIS COURTNEY Senior Program Director, Out of School Time – South Region

These leaders will be essential in the YMCA of Greater Houston’s vision to strengthen the foundations of community for years to come.