January 17, 2024
New Year, New Leadership at YMCA of Metro Denver
The Y welcomes new interim CEO, board chair and five board members
New leadership takes the helm at the YMCA of Metro Denver, guiding the organization into nearly 150 years serving the Denver Metro area. Following President and CEO Sue Glass’s departure in January 2024, YMCA of Metro Denver Board Chair Rick Rush is now serving as Interim President and CEO. Former Board Vice Chair Member Meridith Marshall succeeded Rush as Board Chair upon his term’s expiration on December 31, 2023, and will lead the CEO Search Committee in consultation with Y-USA. Additionally, the Denver YMCA welcomed five new board members this month; Sam Bailey, Negar (Nay) Ballard, Melissa (Missy) Devillez, Tiffany Roan and Jill Wright were appointed to places on the YMCA’s board and will help steer the Y through this milestone year.
Denver YMCA Interim President and CEO Rick Rush brings with him extensive executive leadership experience in healthcare, most recently serving as Managing Partner of the healthcare and health finance consulting company GERICK. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Among his community leadership roles, he has twice served on the Jefferson County School Board, Colorado Community College System Foundation Board, Rueckert-Hartman College at Regis University Advisory Board and AARP Colorado Legislative Advocate. Rush has served on the YMCA of Metro Denver Board for four years, as board chair for two years and is a member of the Southwest YMCA.
Denver YMCA Board Chair Meridith Marshall has experience as an executive coach with a track record of leading multi-million and billion-dollar initiatives in high-pressured environments. She uses this experience to help others navigate challenging decisions. Marshall’s passion for leadership development and dedication to creating engaged workplaces make her an exceptional leader. She is a recipient of the 2017 International Economic Development Council’s 40 Under 40 award, the Marshall Memorial Fellowship, in 2020, and most recently recognized by the Denver Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 recipient.
A CEO Search Committee has been formed to direct the process and help the YMCA of Metro Denver find a new leader whose vision aligns with its goals, strategic plan and community needs. Marshall will lead this committee along with fellow YMCA Board Members Mari Akers, Bob Divers, Jarrod Lassen, Dana Milkie, Monica Stitt and Jeff Zawila.
“We feel very grateful to have this excellent team lead us into the new year and continue our search for a new CEO,” Board Chair Meridith Marshall said. “I am confident we will find a new CEO who will complement and continue the progress we have made over the last several years. And we look forward to this new year together, committed to our Y team, members and communities.”
Welcoming New Board Members
Sam Bailey is Manager of Economic Development & Public Policy at Amazon. Bailey leads Amazon's economic development policy and entitlements efforts for the Mountain West region of the United States. His role includes guiding Amazon's various lines of business through entry-to-market strategies, site selection, zoning and land use, economic development programs and incentives, policymaker engagement, and supporting existing operations and investments. Bailey previously served as the Vice President of Economic Development at the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Chief Executive Officer of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation and Senior Manager of Global Business Development at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Negar (Nay) Ballard is the Vice President of Client Development for InContext Solutions, the global leader in 3D simulation software & virtual market research methodologies for retail. Ballard’s background includes strategic sales, business development, and revenue generation, and she has successfully managed diverse client portfolios, proposed innovative solutions and played a key role in the growth of various companies. Ballard and her family are proud members of the YMCA of Metro Denver with firsthand experience of the organization’s positive impact. Ballard is currently pursuing her MBA and is dedicated to continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends as she serves on the Y board of directors.
Melissa (Missy) Devillez, CPA is the Vice President of Strategy, GTM & Operations for Oracle. Devillez’s expertise is in technology operations and digital transformation with extensive experience in accounting and finance. She has successfully scaled end-to-end processes globally and acted as an advisor for executive sales leadership, helping them build and expand their businesses. Devillez has excelled at identifying process gaps, solutions, execution and change management, which has led to successful efforts in revenue & digital transformation. She is a collaborator who builds strong partnerships and is excited to use these skills as a member of the YMCA board.
Tiffany Roan is Manager, Client Success with the Dearfield Fund For Black Wealth, which helps Black and African American communities build a foundation of intergenerational wealth and financial well-being, primarily through homeownership. In her new role, Roan works to create and implement a welcome and onboarding program for individuals interested in buying a home. She also engages directly with Dearfield Fund homeowners to identify and then provide financial coaching services and support through the homeownership journey. Roan also leads the Dearfield Fund’s community engagement efforts. She has spent her career in the financial literacy field, educating individuals about the practical steps they can take to improve their finances and helping them address psychological barriers as well. Roan is a finance professional with a demonstrated history of finance education and expertise. She brings with her experience as a financial wellbeing coach and management and budget analyst.
Jill Wright, is an entrepreneur and CEO with 36 years of experience leading Executive Shine, a national corporation recognized by Forbes and the Harvard Business Review. Jill has expanded Executive Shine to multiple airports, built a team of over 100 professionals. She is known for her work transforming the culture of client-based services through the development of unique talent, and the power of authentic connection—expertise she will bring to her position on the YMCA board. She is also the Founder of The Shine Experience, a program to build trust and profound human connection within organizations and youth groups.
See the full list of YMCA Board Members and leadership team.