The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver has named Breezy Bolden as its new president and CEO effective July 8, 2024. Selected by the board of directors following a five-month search, Bolden will succeed Sue Glass, who stepped down in January 2024 to lead the YMCA of Greater Charlotte as its President and CEO. Interim CEO, Rick Rush, will stay on for a transition period before returning to the board of directors. In Bolden’s new role, she will be responsible for driving the organization’s 2023-2026 Charting Our Path to a Better Future strategic plan; growing earned revenue and contributions; and ensuring the Denver YMCA continues to embody its vision for building strong, thriving and equitable communities.
“During our search for a new CEO, we looked at candidates locally, across the country and among the YMCA network and reflected on the qualities we heard during our listening tours with community members and our staff,” said Meridith Marshall, the board chair, YMCA of Metro Denver board of directors and chair of the CEO search committee in a press release. “With her passion and diverse experience, Breezy was an outstanding candidate. She demonstrated a leadership style that inspires and unifies communities, stakeholders and staff. I’m confident we have brought the right leader to our YMCA, and I’m excited to welcome and introduce her to our Denver community. Further, I want to thank my fellow search committee members — Mari Akers, Bob Divers, Jarrod Lassen, Dana Milkie, Monica Stitt and Jeff Zawila — for helping us identify a leader whose vision aligned with our goals, strategic plan and community needs. Last, but not least, my personal thanks to Rick Rush for stepping into the role as interim CEO and helping steer the organization for the last five months. We’re all grateful for your dedication.”
“I’m deeply honored to lead the YMCA of Metro Denver, an organization with a rich history of strengthening community,” said Bolden. “I joined the YMCA as a volunteer in the outreach department nearly 24 years ago. Here is where I found my purpose and passion for pouring into the lives of others, much like the Y has poured into me. Having served at all levels of the organization, I have seen our impact firsthand and am excited to Chart Our Path to a Better Future with the board, staff and broader community. Together, we will continue to put people-first, ensuring everyone has a place to belong.”
Bolden comes to the Denver YMCA with two decades of experience and dedication to the YMCA movement, most recently with the YMCA of Southern Nevada where she has served as the COO for the last nine years. There, Bolden doubled the operating budget to a robust $12 million over eight years by restructuring membership pricing, membership categories and the value proposition of the YMCA; created a safe space for staff to express thoughts, feelings and lived experiences tied to race, oppression and social inequity through the series Compassionate Conversations; and, most recently, bolstered sponsorship and donor acquisition toward a highly successful annual campaign. Bolden also served as executive director of the Copley-Price Y in the YMCA of San Diego County where she cultivated relationships with legacy donors, community leaders, universities and the International Rescue Committee to serve one of the largest newcomer populations in the U.S. Bolden holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and an MBA in nonprofit management from Springfield College, as well as an Advanced Human Resource Certification from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She is a proud mother of three, grandmother of two and football aficionado.
