Seasoned Nonprofit Leader Todd Tibbits Brings Three Decades of Experience to one of Nation’s Largest YMCA’s

SAN DIEGO (July 7, 2021) – Known for his 30 years of experience leading multiple YMCAs of increasing complexity and developing highly-effective community partnerships and social justice programs at Y’s across the country, the YMCA of San Diego County proudly announces that Todd Tibbits has been named the new President and CEO of the organization. Today’s announcement, effective August 11, 2021, culminates a deliberately extensive national search that drew 64 richly diverse and experienced candidates into a multi-round selection process.

The YMCA of San Diego County is one of the largest YMCAs in the country, with pre-COVID revenues of more than $200 million, serving nearly 500,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,500 people.

“We are delighted that this exhaustive national search has brought Todd into our YMCA of San Diego County family,” said Kathy Scott, Chair of the YMCA of San Diego County Corporate Board of Directors. “Todd is exactly what our Y needs right now. He brings a proven ability to drive strategic growth and operational excellence in intricate and multifaceted organizations, foster and grow community partnerships, and will provide undisputed value to our donors and members.” 

“Our search team was also moved by Todd’s sincere commitment to advancing the Y’s mission to serve all San Diegans equally through enhanced health equity services, anti-racist initiatives and diverse hiring practices. Moreover, his deep experience and knowledge of the YMCA mission and operations will allow him to hit the ground running in August,” Scott said.

“The YMCA movement is my passion,” said Todd Tibbits, outgoing president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, North Carolina. “Throughout this CEO search process, I recognized just how closely aligned my personal values and vision are with those of the YMCA of San Diego County. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my decades of leadership and member service experience to San Diego and to continue creating positive social change by partnering with others to meet the needs of San Diego’s most vulnerable youth and families.”

Tibbits continued, “Over the years, I’ve watched the YMCA of San Diego County becoming a national leader in its work with Youth & Family Services. It is well positioned to be a national model for innovation, equity, impact and organizational sustainability as our country emerges from the pandemic. I’m looking forward to serving with the San Diego team to keep that momentum going and our mission advancing.”

Most recently, Tibbits was president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte since 2016, where he led strategic vision for one of the ten largest YMCAs in the United States. It had a pre-pandemic operating budget of $99M and the highest membership revenue of any YMCA in the country throughout the pandemic. Prior to that role, Tibbits was chief operating officer of the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities where he led day-to-day operations serving 300,000 people annually with 7,000 employees. In 1992, he began his career in Lansing, MI before leading the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo, OH and executing strategic vision for Northwest Ohio’s largest social service organization covering four counties and two states.

“As a member of the executive search committee, I was struck by Todd’s wealth of knowledge of the YMCA movement, his focused work-approach, and his self-awareness in his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Tony Russell, who serves on the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Board of Advisors. “I am confident that Todd will ‘walk the walk’ as an exceptional chief executive, and as a champion and ally in ensuring that racial equity and social justice prevail at each Y branch and service location in the region.”

Tibbits succeeds Baron Herdelin-Doherty as president and chief executive officer. Tibbits assumes the role as the YMCA of San Diego County is making important changes in its business model, including establishing a more sustainable, equitable operations and service standard due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, when membership dramatically dropped by 80 percent, the organization leaned into its mission by hosting blood drives, providing food distribution, launching digital programming, and with branches serving as vaccination sites in highly impacted communities.

“It is a true honor to now serve as an ambassador for the YMCA of San Diego County’s mission, purpose, and vision,” Tibbits said. “Together, we will inspire and mobilize our staff, volunteers, members, donors,  neighbors, and partners to strengthen our communities, advance social justice, and provide unparalleled service for all.”  

For media interview requests or additional details, please contact Mindy Wright at [email protected].

About the YMCA of San Diego County 
The YMCA of San Diego County is one of the largest Y associations in the nation, serving nearly 500,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,500 people (pre-COVID). Through a variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y unites men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body. Visit www.ymcasd.org to find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).