YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing’s board of directors announced the appointment of Casey Thompson as the organizations new President and CEO on April 5. She will be the first woman president in the organization’s 178-year history. Thompson succeeds Jeff Scheibel, who retired in December 2021.
Thompson has been serving in the role on an interim basis since Scheibel’s departure. She has spent 16 years with the YMCA, most recently serving as vice president of operations for the Y.
Thompson began her career at the Westside YMCA location where she worked in the child watch department back in 2003.
“We chose Casey because of her 16 years of experience and accomplishments at the YMCA, as well as within the Lansing community,” said Heather Cooper Kim, the chief volunteer officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing. “We are confident that Casey will be a positive leader for our staff, our members and the organization, while continuing to promote the YMCA’s mission within the community.”
Other previous YMCA positions held by Casey include membership director, executive director at multiple YMCA locations and director of strategic partnerships and health innovation for the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing.
She is a graduate of Central Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts. Among Casey’s many accomplishments is the creation and management of the Y’s Healthy Living Mobile Kitchen which since its development in 2016 has served more than 400,000 meals to children and families in the Lansing Area.
“The volunteers on the search committee were committed to making the very best decision for the future of our YMCA, said Kim. “The decision came after a unanimous vote from our board of directors that is comprised of 21 volunteers in the Lansing community. We are confident in Casey’s ability to lead the YMCA of Lansing towards a prosperous future.”
“The mission and impact of the YMCA is more important than ever as we work to strengthen our community and help as many people as we can,” said Thompson. “I continue to be inspired by our staff, volunteers and members and I am pleased to step into this role as we look forward to the future.”