YMCA of Columbia-Willamette 2021–2023 Strategic Plan
Our Mission
To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Place of Belonging
Everyone wants to be welcomed, to be known, to be respected, and to be loved. The social and economic impacts of COVID-19 have caused many people to experience increased stress. We believe providing a place of belonging is a starting place for the healing of individuals, families and the community.
Strategy
To be the “Third Place of Belonging"for individuals in our community.
Initiatives
- Adapt our physical locations to be inviting places for all
- Expand Chaplain Services
- Expand programming for those physically isolated due to COVID-19

Geographic Expansion of Services
Our Y is entrusted by Y-USA with a large geographic service area that includes areas of SW Washington and greater Portland. Due to limited brand recognition and physical footprint, we are inequitably serving our region and the diverse populations within it.
Strategy
To use a regional model to develop relationships with other local leaders and to identify community needs our Y can help address.
Initiatives
- Strengthen Board of Trustees and branch board membership to reflect to the communities we serve
- Develop storefront Y locations
- Serve in areas of greater racial and socio-economic diversity

Community Partner in Addressing Homelessness
The Portland metropolitan area is experiencing a crisis of homelessness, the causes, circumstances, and faces of which are varied. We recognize that no one organization alone can address the crisis, and that it is our social responsibility to get involved.
Strategy
To become an active participant and community partner in addressing the homelessness crisis.
Initiatives
- Develop partnerships with organizations addressing homelessness issues and proposed community solutions
- Increase the accessibility of our facilities and programs

Organizational Sustainability
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the sustainability of our organization. Success is dependent on the adaptability of our services, staff, and communicating our impact.
Strategy
To adapt as needed to unexpected constraints and changes while building the organization’s long-term strength.
Initiatives
- Create an organizational culture that quickly adapts
- Invest in attracting, developing and retaining staff talent
- Adopt an enterprise funding mentality
Meet Our Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Dick Wingard, Board Chair | Casey Parvey |
Ross Kelley, Secretary/Treasurer | Ruppert Reinstadler |
Robert Countryman | Chris Rogers |
Neil Fernando | Charmin Shiely |
Mark Gabriel | Dan Swift |
Jay Jones | Carol Terrell |
Keith Mays | Nick Veroske |
Matt McGinnis | Josh Walter |
Shayda Le |
Executive Team
- President & CEO | Tyler Wright
-
Born in Kokomo, Indiana, and son of a professional ballroom dancer and bluegrass singer, Tyler has been with the YMCA in a full-time capacity since 1987. An honor graduate of the University of Southern California, he was pursuing a career as an actor and dancer until he found his calling in the YMCA movement. Tyler began his Y career as a volunteer camp director for the Wilshire YMCA in Los Angeles and has also worked at multiple YMCAs in California. He served as President and CEO at both the Helena Family YMCA in Helena, MT and at the YMCA of the Foothills in La Canada, CA.
Tyler has been a YMCA national trainer in numerous areas, was recognized by Who’s Who of America and the National YMCA as a Cause Driven leader and has led many presentations on thought leadership, design and innovation. He has served on several Y-USA task forces and national committees. While at the YMCA of the Foothills, Tyler was chairman of the California State Alliance of YMCA.