New Executive Director Announced for Blue Water YMCA The YMCA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Denise Brooks, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), has been selected and agreed to become the new Executive Director of the Blue Water YMCA. She will start her new role on March 2.
Ms. Brooks is currently President of Port Huron Hospital Foundation. She will be leaving that role after 17 years to assume the position at the Blue Water YMCA. In her role at the hospital, she has been responsible for development and implementation of fundraising and community outreach strategies to support the mission, vision and strategic direction of Port Huron Hospital. In 2008, the Foundation reached more than 22,700 people through programs and events put on by more than 2,100 volunteers. In addition, the Foundation had income of more than $1 million with a growing donor base.
This hiring decision is the result of an exhaustive process which began in late September, following the announcement that long-time Executive Director Julie Moak would be retiring. A search committee composed of board members and key community stakeholders reviewed more than 25 applicants. According to Mark Walker, Board President, “From the applicants seven candidates were interviewed. We had a strong field of talented candidates. Denise distinguished herself as being uniquely talented and experienced to handle the multi-faceted task of being Executive Director. As a result of that process, the search committee recommended Denise Brooks to our Board, which gave its unanimous approval.”
“Through efforts of Julie Moak, past and present Board members, staff and our generous donors, the YMCA, now in its new home is positioned to become a true Community Center. One of the goals of the YMCA mission, to improve the quality of life for the entire Blue Water Area, is now that much closer with the upcoming leadership of Denise Brooks,” says Walker. “Denise Brooks was chosen to be our YMCA’s next leader because of her unique talents to accomplish this goal. We welcome her to our organization and are honored and thrilled that someone of her ability will be leading us forward."
This won’t be the first leadership role that Brooks has held with the YMCA. For more than 20 years she has been involved as a volunteer on various committees. She served on the board of directors, including Board president from 1997-1999, and also served on committees for the new facility. According to Brooks, “More than 10 years ago, it was my privilege to be part of the team that developed a plan that eventually led to the YMCA facility that we have today. Now it will be my honor to work with an outstanding board of directors, staff, membership and donors to lead the YMCA into the next phase of development for the organization."
Brooks earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a second major in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Management & Supervision with a concentration in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. She and her husband, Dave, are Port Huron natives who are actively involved in the community.
