YMCA taps Tampa executive for next U.S. president and CEO

One of the biggest nonprofit organizations in the United States has picked a prominent Tampa business executive as its next American leader.

Suzanne McCormick has been named the next president and CEO of YMCA of the USA, which has 2,600 facilities, 19,000 employees and 600,000 volunteers in the United States. She’ll be the organization’s first female leader.

McCormick led the United Way Suncoast from 2015 until 2019, when she was tapped to become the U.S. president of United Way Worldwide, where she led 1,100 United Ways across the country.

“Stepping into this role at this critical time in our history allows me to leverage every aspect of my experience and my expertise,” McCormick said in a statement. “This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity perfectly aligns with my personal mission, my values, my passions and my commitment to equity.”

McCormick replaces YMCA of the USA’s first Black president and CEO, the retiring Kevin Washington, who held those roles for six years.

In a statement, YMCA of the USA national board chair Pamela Davies called McCormick “a leader capable of developing a clear vision for the future of the Y.”

“The national board strongly believes that the breadth and depth of Suzanne’s community impact expertise, combined with her national and local leadership experience, make her the right person to build on Kevin Washington’s accomplishments and lead the Y during this pivotal time in our country,” Davies said.

Before coming to Tampa, McCormick served as president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Portland in Maine. She’ll begin her new role with YMCA of the USA in September.