In The Last Word, we sit down with an industry expert to share their wealth of knowledge. In the 2024 July/August issue, the conversation features Kristin Irwin, the CEO at the Monroe Family YMCA.
1. How did you get started in the community recreation industry?
KI: I have been involved in athletics and sports my entire life. After my collegiate basketball career, I wanted to stay involved so I coached for a few years. My husband was also a coach, and when we decided to grow our family, I looked to change careers so I could be home more often. I started in the community recreation profession as a programmer and worked my way up from there.
2. What’s been a key to your team’s success? What are you most proud of?
KI: Leading people is much like coaching a team. We focus on communication, working toward a common goal and making an impact in the community. I’m proud our team is a cohesive unit that truly cares about the people we serve.
3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
KI: When I started my job at the Monroe Family YMCA 14 years ago, I was told it was not going to be easy. The culture was bad, they were struggling financially and the Y had just gone through some public relations turmoil. I’m proud our culture has completely changed. We have a solid sustainability plan and we have endless community support. We’re considered a community change agent and are involved in pivotal conversations.
4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career?
KI: It will be no surprise that I say the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered. In Michigan, we were forced to fully close for over six months. However, we were able to shift services and focus on virtual fitness classes and education, essential childcare, and food distribution. We made a great community impact, and by doing so we were able to share our story as a social service organization, not just a “gym and swim” facility.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other community recreation professionals can learn from?
KI: The key to success is being open to partnerships, collaborations and change. We have many great community partners, and we all work together to have the greatest impact. We strive to complement each other, not duplicate each other’s services. Also, it’s very important to keep telling your story over and over again.
6. Tell us one fact about yourself others may not know.
KI: I love to hike, especially if the sun is shining. My goal is to hike all of the National Parks and to find the not-so-popular gems along the way. I’m also a soon to be empty-nester, so life is about to change quickly.
