Dear Friends,

They say time flies when you’re having fun. After a whirlwind month as the CEO of the YWCA of the City of New York, I can honestly attest to that statement’s veracity. From meeting with longtime funders to attending my first YW-NYC event, the depth of warmth and camaraderie I have felt is enormous. I am excited to share with you some of the highlights during my time here that has truly made it an absolute joy.

The 49th annual Salute event on October 20th was a huge success! It has been wonderful learning about the YW-NYC’s rich history, including the significance of honoring incredible women who are making real contributions as leaders in their workplaces and communities each year. This year, we had close to 150 YW-NYC supporters celebrating Salute with us at City Winery and 80 people screening from home. Not only were we able to reach our fundraising goal, but we were privileged to shine a light on four incredible leaders:

Changemaker Champion
Jolen Andersen, Global Head of Human Resources, BNY Melon
Distinguished Service Award
Mary Crawford, Former YWCA NYC Board Chair and Philanthropist
Emerging Leader Award
Audrey Elliott-Barnes, Department Manager in Shared Financial Services
Planning, ConEdison
Grace Hoadley Dodge Honoree
Elsie McCabe Thompson, President of the Mission Society of NYC

I also spent time visiting our incredible programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan. From Coney Island to Harlem, our after school and girls programs serve 1500 young people annually. It is truly a gift to work directly with staff who are committed to working every day to ensure that YW-NYC children and youth are developing their academic, social-emotional, and leadership skills. Their dedication and passion to the mission of the YW-NYC is unmatched.

There is so much more to look forward to as I continue our collective work at the YW-NYC in service to New York City communities. Thank you for your continued investment and belief in this city’s youth.

With gratitude,

KHATUNA KORIDZE

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The YWCA of the City of New York (YWCA-NYC), the nation’s very first YWCA association, is pleased to announce the confirmation of KHATUNA KORIDZE as CEO. Alba will lead the organization in its mission to eliminate racism by empowering New York City’s young women, boys, and gender non-conforming youth.

In announcing this decision, YWCA-NYC Board Chair Tracy Richelle High said, “Alba is a leader in aligning mission with strategy and has been dedicated to the well-being of NYC youth throughout her 20-year career. We are excited to welcome Alba to the YWCA-NYC and know that she will bring her commitment and rich experience as a nonprofit leader into this new season for our organization.”

Alba stated, “New York City’s youth, in particular the city’s young women and gender non-conforming youth, face the heaviest burdens of structural inequity. From gender discrimination and racism, to poverty and health injustice, the issues run deep. They need communal support, and the YWCA-NYC has been a crucial part of that support for over 160 years. We offer free educational programming through our Out-of-School (OST) programs and provide needed career mentorship and academic enrichment through our Girls Initiative program. And with the recent $3M gift by Mackenzie Scott, the YWCA-NYC is only poised to grow in deeper solidarity with NYC youth. I look forward to working alongside the staff, Board, YWCA-NYC stakeholders to create a world that sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: equal, powerful, and unstoppable!”

Alba succeeds YWCA-NYC former board member Mary Crawford who served as interim COO. Ms. Rodriguez earned an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.S. in philosophy and biopsychology from Tufts University.

About YWCA-NYC
The YWCA-NYC’s mission is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Established in 1858, the YWCA-NYC is one of the nation’s oldest non-profit organizations committed to the personal, physical, and social development of women, their families, and their communities, and as such has been a pioneer for social change since its inception. In honor of this history, and in service of our mission, the YWCA-NYC currently provides leadership and advocacy training to 150 young women through our Girls Initiatives and out-of-school time (OST) programming for elementary- and middle-school students in culturally diverse communities in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

For media inquiries, please contact Susan Madon at smadon@ywcanyc.org or 917.930.1508.

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