About
Kevin Washington is President and CEO of YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the Y—a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Collectively, the nation’s YMCAs engage 22 million members (9 million of whom are under the age of 18) annually, employ 250,000 staff and benefit from the service of 600,000 volunteers.
Washington assumed his post on Feb. 1, 2015, and is the 14th person and first African-American to lead the Y Movement in the U.S. He came to Y-USA from the YMCA of Greater Boston, where as President and CEO from 2010 to 2014 he expanded membership and access by reducing rates, increased diversity and engagement among the Board of Directors to better reflect the community and implemented a childhood-education quality initiative that benefits thousands of children and families throughout eastern Massachusetts.
Prior to Boston, Washington served as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford from 2000 to 2010. Under his leadership the Hartford YMCA invested more than $60 million to develop or expand eight facilities and camps. He was Chief Operating Officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago from 1995 to 2000, and previously held other executive roles with the Chicago YMCA and the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. He got his start in the Y as a Youth Program Director at the Philadelphia YMCA’s Christian Street branch in 1978.
Even before joining Y-USA, Washington played a central role in determining the national direction of the Y. He served as Chairman of the CEO Advisory Committee that guided the development Y-USA’s strategic plan for 2014 to 2017. He also was a member of the Y-USA Board of Directors from 2004 to 2009 and previously provided leadership to Y-USA’s National Diversity Initiative, Aquatic Safety Task Force and National Mentorship Program for young Y leaders. He is Immediate Past Chair of the Association of YMCA Professionals Board of Directors.
A native of Philadelphia, Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Temple University.
