Executive Search Placement Case Study: YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Written by Acadia Munari
YMCA x NEXUS
In May 2023, Nexus Search Partners was approached by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte to locate its next Chief Executive Officer.
BACKGROUND
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has been an integral part of the community for over a century. Striving to increase membership post-COVID and dealing with the departure of its CEO in early 2023, the YMCA engaged Nexus Search Partners to conduct an executive search for a new leader.
Stakeholders Involved:
Board of Directors & Executive Search Committee: Charles Bowman, former Bank of America North Carolina president and YMCA board member, led the search committee.
Nexus Search Partners: Selected for the firm’s modern and transparent approach to executive search.
YMCA Employees: Focus group conversations were held to understand the skills and values aligning with the YMCA’s mission.
OUR PROCESS
In every search, our team immerses itself in an organization’s culture, approaching the process from a strategic and consultative perspective. As an extension of the YMCA’s brand, we conducted extensive focus group conversations with YMCA employees, members, board members, and committees. These conversations identified vital skills and values crucial for the YMCA’s future leader.
The Nexus team then created a proprietary skills matrix to evaluate and compare candidates based on the identified criteria objectively.
The Candidate: Sue Glass
After several rounds of interviews with highly qualified nonprofit leaders, Sue Glass emerged as the clear choice for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s next President and CEO. Sue was recognized for her modern leadership style, commitment to diversity as an ethos, and successful track record leading the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver through challenging times. As the first female leader of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Sue’s appointment represented a significant milestone for the organization.
Sue’s background:
Served as President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver.
Crafted a strategic roadmap serving as a “North Star” during the pandemic.
Implemented new operating and membership models, initiated property redevelopment strategies, and enhanced staff culture and member satisfaction.
She previously spent over 20 years with the American Diabetes Association, reaching the position of Senior Vice President overseeing 49 nationwide field offices, 500 employees, and a $125 million budget.
Recognized as a Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal in 2021.
Results and Impact
Throughout our partnership with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Nexus Search Partners focused on finding candidates aligned with the organization’s community-oriented mission. It was evident that Sue’s comprehensive experience and demonstrated leadership set her apart as the ideal candidate. Her strategic vision, transformative approach, and commitment to community impact positioned her as the clear frontrunner for the role.
“They really pushed the thinking; they were creative. They did an unbelievably thorough job vetting references. There was a level of diligence and care that created peace of mind for us.”
“The entire process, from the initial conversations to the final negotiations, was characterized by transparency, respect, and efficiency,” Sue shared with our team. “The team’s knowledge of the Y and their commitment to aligning candidates with the right organizational cultures is commendable. I am deeply grateful for the positive experience and would highly recommend Nexus Search Partners.”
In October 2023, Sue accepted her role as Chief Executive Officer and took the helm in January 2024.
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is excited to have a leader who will guide the organization through its historical moment and maximize its impact in the rapidly evolving community.
“They really pushed the thinking; they were creative,” shared Di Morais, a YMCA of Greater Charlotte executive hiring committee member. “They did an unbelievably thorough job vetting references. There was a level of diligence and care that created peace of mind for us."
Leadership teams function better when they have a variety of perspectives. With access to our diverse network of executive talent, it’s our mission to create access for talent historically overlooked in traditional executive search models.
Interested in partnering with Nexus Search Partners? Contact us at info@nexussearchpartners.com or call us at (704) 718-3235.