10 Years Making New Yorkers Feel Better

The YMCA is a convener of community designed to make members feel better, more connected, more purposeful, and find a sense of accomplishment. No one knows that better than the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater NY, Sharon Greenberger.

“We are here to help people become healthier in every aspect of the world: physical health, mental health, social health, and economic health. The YMCA is a place where people can find the resources they need to realize their full potential and be successful.”

She also likens Ys to parks and libraries, as the last bastions of democracy. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. One of our core values is to provide safe spaces, no matter where you are in life.”

In her next decade at the Y, Greenberger is focusing on growth, responding to community needs, and developing programs that are responsive to those needs.

Greenberger joined the Y in 2015 after 20 years of a storied career, which included executive positions in the Bloomberg administration, the School Construction Authority, the Department of Education, and then at New York Presbyterian. “My North Star has always been about fostering and strengthening community. When I was approached about leading the Y, I realized it was this wonderful connection of all the things I care about: health, community, education, and youth.”

Around that time, the cancer survivor had joined her local Y in Park Slope, Brooklyn. “I started going so that I could regain my health. To come full circle and become a part of the team is quite the gift.”

A hands-on leader, Greenberger is known to visit any of 24 YMCA branches throughout the city, sit in the lobby over the course of the day just to see people come and go, to see the joy that people experience when finding a sense of belonging and accomplishment. “It is literally what motivates me,” she said.

But with all its virtues, the organization is not without its challenges. “It’s hard given the state of philanthropy. We are constantly trying to identify new sources of support to enable our free programming.”

Outside of her C-suite position, Greenberger sits on the boards of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Prospect Park Alliance, and New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, spends time with her family, and embraces what NYC has to offer. “I spend as much time with my family as possible. I also love this city and try to be out in it, celebrating it, taking advantage of art, culture, music, or walking in the parks. It’s also where I learn the most about what’s happening in our community.”