RIDGEWOOD YMCA - Key Persons


Alexander Cook

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President & Head of Strategic Capabilities

Alexandra Blair

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Development

Allison Sicuranza

Job Titles:
  • Early Childhood Director
  • Leadership Staff Member

Ami Kaplan

Job Titles:
  • Partner / Deloitte & Touche LLP

Angelica Warren

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Afterschool Coordinator

Anna Swanby-Laisne

Job Titles:
  • Vice President for Research
  • Vice President, Research, Evaluation & System Strategy
Anna Swanby-Laisne is the Vice President for Research, Evaluation & System Strategy and assists in the oversight of all aspects of program evaluation, impact measurement and data analysis. She has worked for the YMCA since 2015 when she joined as Director of Data and Compliance. In 2016, she joined the newly created Research, Evaluation and Strategy department as Senior Director of Data, Evaluation & Learning. Prior to joining the YMCA, Anna worked in community-based non-profits and local government supporting the intersection of analytics and community programming. Anna received her B.A. from Lafayette College and earned her M.P.A from New York University.

Anthony Escobar - SVP

Job Titles:
  • Chief Development Officer
  • Senior Vice President
As the Chief Development Officer, Anthony Escobar provides leadership of all fundraising initiatives and activities tailored to engaging the YMCA's individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Anthony previously spent more than 20 years as a fundraising professional at universities and non-profit organizations in New York and Los Angeles. Most recently, Anthony served as Associate Dean of External Affairs for the UCLA School of Law where he led the school in achieving a record-breaking fundraising year in FY19 with close to $33 million in funds raised and surpassing their overall campaign goal of $150 million six months early (part of the university's $4.2 billion campaign). Before joining UCLA, Anthony served as executive director of development and interim chief development officer at WNET, the flagship PBS station in New York. In those roles, Anthony co-led a team of more 70 development, marketing, and communications professionals, playing a vital role in the organization's success in raising more than $175 million over two years. He previously served as a major gift officer at Cornell University's College of Engineering, helping to raise more than $30 million annually as part of university's historic $5 billion comprehensive campaign. Earlier in his career, he was director of development, planning, and administration for NYU's Polytechnic Institute and assistant director of alumni relations at NYU's Steinhardt School of Education. His broad experience has included fundraising work with individual donors, corporations and institutions; development of advisory boards; designing and launching alumni relations and alumni outreach initiatives; creating new awards programs and alumni-related events; and overseeing marketing and communications staff. He earned his bachelor's degree from NYU.

Barry Salzberg

Job Titles:
  • CEO ( Retired ) Deloitte

Caitlin Hackett

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Aquatics Coordinator

Cas Holloway

Job Titles:
  • Principal / CFH Solutions

Cedric Dew

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Transitional Housing

Charles Catt

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Property Manager

Chris Blunt

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • President and CEO / Fidelity & Guaranty

Christopher J. O'Connor

Job Titles:
  • Founding Partner / the Bayard Group

Cleveland D. Rueckert

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Equity Research Analyst / UBS Investment Bank

Consuelo Mack

Job Titles:
  • Anchor and Executive Producer

Daniela Hervella

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Healthy Lifestyles Director

Daniela Perez

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Aquatics Director

Diana L. Taylor

Job Titles:
  • Senior Adviser / Wolfensohn Fund Management

Dina Vicenti

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
  • Leadership Staff Member

Dordy Jourdain

Job Titles:
  • Vice President of Field Operations
Dordy Jourdain is the Vice President of Field Operations and is responsible for regional oversight of six Brooklyn YMCAs, providing guidance and operational support to the Executive Directors and their teams. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA. Dordy began his Y career as a Customer Relations Clerk at the Harlem YMCA in 1992 and served the branch in several capacities including Associate Executive Director. He has also served as the Executive Director of the Flatbush YMCA from 2006 to 2008 before becoming the Executive Director at the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA. Dordy holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from City College of New York and an associate's degree in Business Administration from Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Dr. Wayne Riley

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • President / SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Elizabeth Bergin

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Research, Evaluation, & Strategy
Elizabeth joined the YMCA in 2016, bringing with her extensive experience in data analysis, the creation of efficient processes, and the identification of industry best practices. She previously worked with New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Elizabeth has also held various leadership roles with the New York City School Construction Authority and the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation. Elizabeth received her B.A. from Texas A&M University and earned her M.P.A from George Washington University.

Elizabeth Rutledge

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Chief Marketing Officer / American Express

Emeli Martinez

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Membership and Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator

Emilie Franske

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Executives Team
  • Senior Executive, Membership

Evelyn Kay

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
  • Leadership Staff Member

Frank Monterisi - COO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Operating Officer

Geralyn Whalen

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Y Scholars Site Director

Glenn Lau-Kee

Job Titles:
  • Partner / Kee & Lau

Heather Livernois

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Finance
  • Certified Public Accountant and Member of the Society of CPAs
Heather Livernois joined the YMCA of Greater New York in November 2011 and is responsible for all aspects of financial management, including accounting, budgeting, expense management, and reporting. Prior to her current position, Heather was the Senior Vice President Finance/Controller of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Previously, she was the Manager of Operational Accounting at Bally's Health & Tennis Corporation and the Vice President/Controller of Brentwood Square Savings and Loan Association. In addition, Heather was an Audit Manager with Ernst & Young. Heather, a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Society of CPAs, earned her degree in Economics at the University of Colorado.

Herb Engert

Job Titles:
  • New York City Office Managing Partner / Ernst & Young, LLP

Hildy Kuryk

Job Titles:
  • Founder / Artemis

Hon. Merryl H. Tisch

Job Titles:
  • Chancellor ( Former )

Ibrahim Diakite

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Youth & Family Senior Director

Ingrid Socarras

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Membership Coordinator

Janice Reals Ellig

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer / the Ellig Group, LLC

Janine Carhart

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Executives Team
  • Senior Executive, Employee Relations

Jason Burgos

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Property Director

Jim Trocchia

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Jim Trocchia oversees benefits, compensation, HRIS, employee relations, recruitment, staff development and compliance for the Association. Jim began his career with the YMCA in October 2006 as Director of Benefits & Compensation. He managed the Association's employee benefits and compensation programs while ensuring compliance with the Department of Labor, IRS and ERISA regulations. During this time Jim coordinated the implementation of the HR and the benefit self-service modules in CONNECT. Also under Jim's leadership, a new transit benefit, supplemental short term disability plan and full-service Employee Assistance Program (EAP) were introduced Association wide. In July 2010, Jim was promoted to Senior Executive, Benefits & Compensation. Prior to joining the YMCA, Jim was employed as a Consultant with Unique Management Solutions (UMS) and provided guidance to organizations with their benefits and compensation programs. In addition, Jim was employed with Atlantic Bank of New York as an Assistant Vice President, managing the Bank's benefits, variable compensation and executive compensation programs. Jim has additional leadership experience in the benefits and compensation field while working with About.com and Doubleday Direct, Inc. Earlier in his career, Jim was a Defined Contribution Plan Administrator specializing in pension plans, with William Mercer, Inc. Jim holds a BS in Economics, with a concentration in Marketing, from Siena College.

Jody Grapes

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Property Management

John Rowe

Job Titles:
  • Staff Member

John Semerad

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Senior Property Director

Joseph Chan

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Property Management
Joseph has over two decades of experience in community and economic development. Joseph has served for five years as Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Public/Private Partnerships at Empire State Development (ESD), New York State's chief economic development agency. During his tenure, he oversaw the agency's large-scale public/private development projects and priorities. From 2006 to 2011, Joseph was the founding president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, a nonprofit local development corporation. Under his leadership, the company promoted and advanced the growth of downtown Brooklyn, New York City's third largest central business district. Previously, Joseph served for four years as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development in the New York City's Mayor Office during the Bloomberg administration. He also has held leadership positions in the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Local Development Corporation of East New York. In 2008, Joseph was named one of Crain's New York Business' "40 Under 40." The following year, he received the NYU Wagner School of Public Service Torch Award for Distinguished Young Alumni.

Justin Carroll

Job Titles:
  • Assistant General Counsel

Karis Durmer

Job Titles:
  • CEO of the Americas / Scotch & Soda

Karl M. von der Heyden

Job Titles:
  • Member of the EMERITUS BOARD
  • Vice Chairman ( Retired )

KATHLEEN RAHILL

Job Titles:
  • Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Weight Loss Coach

Kathryn Colglazier

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Field Operations

Kati Clayton

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Aquatics Director

Kevin Burke

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, President and CEO ( Retired )

Khadijah Frederick

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Youth and Family Director

Kris Magel

Job Titles:
  • Vice President and Head of Agency Development

Krista Werbeck

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Executives Team
  • Senior Executive, Strategic Planning

La-Vena Francis

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Field Operations

Latisha Brown

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Afterschool Coordinator

Lauren Barr

Job Titles:
  • Vice President for Youth & Community Development
Lauren Barr is the Vice President for Youth & Community Development. In her role, Lauren supports youth and family programming citywide, including afterschool programs, summer camp, teen services, community school initiatives, literacy programs, and our New American Welcome Centers. Lauren has worked with the YMCA of Greater New York in various capacities since 2004, including Director of Citywide Teen Programs for the Association Office and Senior Youth & Family Director for the Vanderbilt YMCA. Before joining the Y, Lauren worked in various youth-serving non-profits focused on education, equity and the alleviation of poverty. Lauren received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School and her bachelor's degree from Barnard College.

Ling Xu

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Branch Representative / Senior Vice President, Retail Sales Manager / Flushing Bank

Liza Horner

Job Titles:
  • Leadership Staff Member
  • Healthy Living Director

Loretta Trapani

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Member Experience and Operations
Loretta Trapani provides leadership in staff development and training for the YMCA of Greater New York serving the needs of over 4,700 Association staff. In this role since January 2005, Loretta has developed NYC University, a training initiative spanning 21 distinct disciplines of YMCA work. Prior to her current role, Loretta spent 15 years in Branch operations, most recently as Executive Director of the Greenpoint YMCA. Her YMCA career began as a Youth Program Director at the Brooklyn Central YMCA (now Dodge YMCA) before moving up to Center Director and then Associate Executive Director at the Flushing YMCA. Loretta is a national trainer for YMCA of the USA. Loretta earned her undergraduate degree at Fairfield University, but cites a childhood spent in Brooklyn's "school of hard knocks" as the beginning of a lifetime as a student of the world.

Maggie Parent

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Global Head of Controls

Marjorie Jean-Jacques

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Business Innovations & Partnerships

Matt Ferraguto

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Executives Team
  • Senior Executive, Communications & Media

Meaghan Murphy

Job Titles:
  • Camp Director
  • Leadership Staff Member

Meghan Sinback

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Leadership Staff Member

Mel Tse - COO, EVP

Job Titles:
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Executive Vice President
As the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mel Tse provides strategic leadership to the operations of 24 YMCA of Greater New York branches serving children, adults, and seniors through programs and services focused on empowering youth, improving health and strengthening community. Mel has devoted his career to strengthening the diverse and multicultural communities of New York City and as a lifelong resident, he understands the importance of responding to local community needs with an unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. Mel began his Y career in 2002 as a Senior Program Director and has had the privilege of leading the organization in the roles of Associate Executive Director, Executive Director, Senior Executive Director, Vice President of Operations and Interim Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his Y career, he has been responsible for program development and evaluation, board and staff development, fundraising, financial management, and capital development. Among his accomplishments, Mel provided leadership to the design and opening of a new Aquatics center at the Prospect Park YMCA as well as the Coney Island YMCA, Northeast Bronx and La Central branches. Prior to the YMCA, Mel spent 10 years in various leadership positions with Hudson Guild, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the City of New York Parks and Recreation. Mel has a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Hunter College and is a proud husband and father to three of his own Y kids.

Michael Guarino - CFO, EVP, Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Executive Vice President
  • Treasurer
Michael Guarino provides administrative and operational leadership to the YMCA of Greater New York. Prior to his current position, Michael was the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Previously, Michael has served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. A career YMCA professional, Michael has held numerous high-level leadership positions and has served as a member of each organization's management team. Michael holds a BS in Financial Accounting and an MBA, both from the University of New Haven. He is a member of No Bats Baseball, a charitable organization that promotes sports to underprivileged children worldwide.

Michael Rivadeneyra

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Government Relations
  • Vice President of Government Relations at the YMCA of Greater New York
Michael Rivadeneyra is the Vice President of Government Relations at the YMCA of Greater New York. Since joining the YMCA in 2017, he has worked on the YMCA's legislative and budgetary agenda. He has also worked on building the Y's community civic engagement efforts: voter registration drives and the 2020 Census outreach campaign. Prior to this role, Michael served in various capacities as a legislative staffer to Council Members James Vacca, Annabel Palma, and Diana Reyna. Between 2018-2023, he served as a Board Member of New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board. Michael received his B.A. from State University of New York at Albany and earned his J.D. from City University of New York School of Law at Queens College. He was admitted to the New York State Bar Association in 2011.

Michael Rodgers

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development, NY

Michael Zarcone

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Michael Zarcone Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Affairs, and Chief of Staff to the CEO MetLife

Nick Robinson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Business Chief Risk Officer

Nick Rudenstine

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Co - CEO ( Retired )

Park Slope Armory


Patricia Jacobs

Job Titles:
  • President at & T Northern Region / at & T

Patricia Ornst

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director, NYS & Local Government Affairs

Pedram Afshar

Job Titles:
  • Chief Credit Officer

R. Donahue Peebles

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Chairman and CEO / the Peebles Corporation

Ray Mercedes

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel / Google LLC

Raymond H. Yu

Job Titles:
  • President / Yuco Management, Inc.

Richard C. Delaney

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Operations ( Retired ) PepsiCo

Robert A. Knakal

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, New York Investment Sales

Robert Annunziata

Job Titles:
  • Chairman ( Retired ) ATEF, Inc.

Robert C. Lieber

Job Titles:
  • Executive Managing Director / C - III Capital Partners

Roger M. Vasey

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner / Conyers Capital, LLC

Ronnie Tucker - SVP

Job Titles:
  • Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
  • Senior Vice President
Veronica "Ronnie" Tucker joined the YMCA of Greater New York in June 2019 and is responsible for building and leading YNYC's Marketing and Communications team. She has a 25-year plus track record of integrating marketing strategy into digital content, traditional and social media, creative and partnerships. Prior to joining the Y, Ronnie was the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Digital, at New York Road Runners (NYRR) where she was responsible for managing all branding, communications and revenue generating initiatives around NYRR's 50+ annual events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, as well as digital products and youth and community programs. She established NYRR's first ever brand strategy and led the creation of the new TCS New York City Marathon brand identity and multiple marathon advertising campaigns, resulting in year over year brand growth. Her team launched NYRR's youth brand identity, Rising New York Road Runners, impacting over 250,000 kids nationwide and handled all marketing and branding duties around the NYRR RunCenter, a community running center located in mid-town, New York City. As the leader of NYRR's content team, Ronnie built out the digital and social media team; created a content marketing strategy; and prioritized communications across the key channels of web, social, mobile, and email, bringing social media to the forefront of NYRR's community driven communications strategy. Before NYRR, Ronnie worked on the agency side of the business where she managed client account teams and delivered strategic planning and integrated programming for client businesses. Additionally, she was senior director of partnership marketing at the USTA, managing annual partnership marketing activity for all professional tennis events in the United States, including the US Open and US Open Series. Prior to that, she was the director of brand marketing at InBev USA, where she oversaw the development of national marketing strategies for such brands as Rolling Rock, Labatt Blue and Beck's. She has also managed marketing planning and activations for other large client accounts such as IBM, Pepsi and Chase Bank.

Rosalie White

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Executives Team
  • Assistant Treasurer, Head of Treasury Services

Rotimi Akinnuoye

Job Titles:
  • Branch Representative

Roy Joseph

Job Titles:
  • Global Head of Corporate and Workplace Solutions / Goldman Sachs

Samba TV

Job Titles:
  • Staff Member

Sandie O'Connor

Job Titles:
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
  • Managing Director and Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer ( Retired ) JPMorgan Chase & Co. CO - CHAIR, the BRONX IS UP CAMPAIGN

Sharlene Brown

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Leadership Staff Member

Sharon Greenberger - CEO, President

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • President
  • President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York
Sharon Greenberger is the 10th President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, New York City's leading health and wellness nonprofit organization. Annually, the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million children, adults, and seniors through programs and services that empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. With 24 branches throughout the five boroughs, the Y connects active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities. Under her leadership, the Y has focused on reimagining programs and services to meet communities' most pressing and ever-changing needs. Recent initiatives include expanding teen programming, addressing citywide aquatics safety, and providing greater access and assistance to all New Yorkers seeking to improve their personal health. Prior to joining the YMCA, Sharon spent more than 20 years in the private and public sectors working to improve New Yorkers' health and livelihood and promote the development of New York City. She has served as Senior Vice President, Facilities and Real Estate at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, COO of the NYC Department of Education, and President of NYC's School Construction Authority. Sharon received her bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and holds a master's degree in City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sharon Levy - VP

Job Titles:
  • Vice President
  • Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
Sharon Levy is the Vice President for Public Affairs and assists in the oversight of all aspects of public affairs and public policy, including government relations and government funding. Sharon began her career at the YMCA as the Associate Director of Government Relations in January of 2000 and was promoted to Director within one year. She left the YMCA in 2003 to become chief of staff for Parks, Public Works and Partnerships for the Nassau County Executive and returned to the YMCA as a public affairs consultant in 2005. Prior to joining the YMCA, Sharon held staff positions within all three levels of government: U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the New York State Governor and the New York City Council. Sharon has a BA in political science and communications from the City University of New York at Queens College and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University's Wagner School of Public Service.

Sonia Atherly

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Leadership Staff Member

Stanley E. Grayson

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chairman and COO ( Retired ) M.R. Beal & Company

Stephen Forcione - CEO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • Founder

Steven J. Kimble

Job Titles:
  • Chairman and CEO / Deloitte

Susan Alexander

Job Titles:
  • Staff Member

The Reverend Joseph M. McShane

Job Titles:
  • Staff Member

Thomas J. Quinlan III - CEO, Chairman

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • Chairman
  • Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS

Thomas McTernan

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
  • Leadership Staff Member

Timothy L. Porter

Job Titles:
  • Chief Client Relationship Counsel ( Retired ) Proskauer Rose

Timothy P. Flynn

Job Titles:
  • Chairman ( Retired )

Wellington Chen

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director / the Chinatown Partnership

William D. Rueckert

Job Titles:
  • President / Oyster Management Group LLC

William K. Lee

Job Titles:
  • President / Cardiac Associates of North Jersey