It is an honor to serve as the next President and CEO of YWCA Greater Cleveland. This is an amazing opportunity to lead an organization that, daily, has such a profound impact on people’s lives and I take on this responsibility with excitement.

I was made for this role. The work of the YWCA is personal to me because it aligns so deeply with my belief that we are capable of changing the systems that marginalize women of color. My experience as a lifelong Cleveland resident makes me passionately dedicated to my hometown and the communities YWCA serves daily. My mother once served as a YWCA Greater Cleveland employee, and it has been wonderful to see how the organization has grown and become an even greater resource and voice in our community.

As President and CEO, I will continue to build upon YWCA’s 150-year legacy of serving and advocating for women in Greater Cleveland. We will continue the work towards the three pillars of our strategic plan: racial equity and social justice, empowerment and economic advancement for women and girls, and health and safety for women and girls, particularly women and girls of color.

I am so appreciative of all of the support I have already received from the community, the YWCA Board, and the YWCA team. I know that together, we can continue our fight for racial and gender equity even in the face of backlash. I look forward to working alongside you on our journey together.

In solidarity,
Helen Forbes Fields