STEPHEN IVES

Stephen Ives has more than 30 years of service in the YMCA movement and is recognized as a national leader in innovation and entrepreneurship as well as for the prevention of child sexual abuse. He also has interests in corporate partnerships, global initiatives, diversity and inclusion.

 Ives comes to the YMCA of Greater Houston from the YMCA of Central Ohio in Columbus, where he served as President and CEO for three years. Before taking the position in Columbus, he was the CEO at the Merrimack Valley YMCA in Lawrence, MA for 10 years and served as the CEO of the Northern York County YMCA in Biddeford, ME for 11 years.

 The Houston YMCA is among the four largest YMCAs in the country, serving 6.5 million people in greater Houston with the Y touching the lives of over 700,000 people annually. The Y has annual revenue of $130 million and staff that ranges from 4,000-5,200 depending on the time of year. The Y provides many services with a special focus on four strategic initiatives 1) Eliminate Drowning, 2) Improve Academic Performance, 3) Eliminate childhood obesity and chronic disease, and, 4) Provide social equity for all. The Y has 25 operating units which includes a resident camp and a refugee resettlement division. Over 20% of the YMCA’s budget is provided by public support which includes donations, United Way funding and government funding.

 Steve and his wife, Lisa Collins, have two adult daughters. He carries an MBA from Northeastern University and a degree in Speech Communication from the University of Maine.