NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The YMCA of Greater New York today announced the organization's expanded leadership team under President and CEO Sharon Greenberger. Together, the team will advance the organization's growth and commitment to creating a healthier and more connected City. 

Following an extensive search, the Y has appointed four new executives in both new and existing roles:

• Natalie Norton will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer on October 3. As a proven leader in the YMCA movement, Norton will work to enhance service to key constituents, enrich and grow the Y's many successful programs and continue the pursuit of operational excellence;
• Joseph F. Chan will serve as Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Property Management, effective in late September. With over two decades of experience in community and economic development, Chan will be responsible for developing a real estate strategy for facility expansion, replacement and reinvestment;
• Kathryn Glass assumed the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer as of September 1. By leveraging her background working with premier New York City nonprofit institutions, Glass will work to further strengthen the Y brand through innovative integrated marketing and communications strategies; and
• Elizabeth Bergin serves in the new position of Senior Vice President of Research, Evaluation and Strategy, after joining the Y this past spring. Bergin will bring greater rigor to the collection, analysis and reporting of data.

The group joins longstanding YMCA leaders Michael Guarino, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer and Gary Laermer, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer to comprise Greenberger's leadership team. A search for a new Chief Technology Officer remains under way.

"The YMCA is a remarkable organization, and it requires a remarkable staff to deliver the vast array of services we offer to New Yorkers across this City," said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. "I am excited to work with these new leaders, each of whom have excelled in their own fields and will bring energy and enthusiasm to our important work."

"This talented team has the know-how and drive to ensure that even more New Yorkers are inspired to participate in Y programs that foster togetherness, inclusion, health and family," said Chris Blunt, Chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York.

These key appointments to the Y's executive team come approximately one year after Greenberger assumed the role of President and CEO.

Background

Natalie Norton, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Natalie has dedicated her career to advancing the YMCA throughout the United States. She served for two years as the President and CEO of the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP), where she reinvigorated the organization and increased membership. Previously, Natalie served as Senior Vice President of Operations at the YMCA of Greater Boston. She also has held numerous other leadership positions with YMCAs in Massachusetts, Illinois and Connecticut.

Currently, Natalie serves as the National Chair of the Employee Resource Group of Y-USA Women's Leadership Network and is a member of the Y-USA Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Natalie received her B.S. in physical education and health fitness from Springfield College. She also earned her Strategic Perspectives of Non Profit Management, Executive Management Certificate from Harvard Business School. Natalie is certified as a Y-USA Organizational Leader.

Joseph Chan, 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'schief 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'sthird 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.

Joseph received his B.A. in metropolitan studies and M.A in urban planning from New York University.

Kathryn Glass, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Prior to joining the Y in 2016, Kathryn served as Vice President of Marketing and Public Engagement at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where she led communications, public programs, and partnerships and also managed the Garden's earned income lines. Previously, Kathryn led business development and marketing for Acoustiguide, Inc., a provider of mobile experiences for the cultural sector, for more than ten years.

Kathryn received her B.A. in art history and history from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, she was a fellow at the Getty Leadership Institute for Museum Executives.

Elizabeth Bergin, Senior Vice President, Research, Evaluation and 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.

About New York City's YMCA
New York City's YMCA is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc.