About the Y

  • YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. HEALTHY LIVING: Improving the nation's health and well-being. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.

  • Our Mission And Core Values

    To instill values and provide opportunities for lifelong personal growth and the development of a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

    Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility

    VISIT OUR SUPPORT THE Y PAGE TO DONATE TODAY

  • Leadership

    Mike LaChance  |  Chief Executive Officer  |  mlachance@nmymca.org

    Mike LaChance celebrated 25 years of working for the YMCA of Greater Nashua in 2018. In 1993, Mike was hired to be the branch executive director of the Nashua branch in our Association until 2000 when he assumed the COO position for the entire organization. In 2003, he was promoted to CEO for the YMCA of Greater Nashua. Since that time, the local Y has grown from a struggling organization with aging facilities and a declining membership to a bustling well-respected community collaborator serving more than 35,000 area residents.

    Mike is originally from Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Recreation Management. He started his YMCA career working for one of the Hartford YMCA camps his last two years of college and was hired by the Merrimack Valley YMCA in Lawrence where he worked for seven years.

    In 2018, Mike received the NH Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health – Outstanding Achievement Award. Additionally Mike was selected by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce as its Business Person of the Year for 2011; the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year for 2012; and one of The Nashua Telegraph’s Top 20 Emerging Leaders in Greater Nashua. Mike is a past graduate of the Leadership Greater Nashua Program and has been very involved in the community having served on various boards. An active member of Nashua Rotary West, Mike served as President of that club in 2016/2017. He recently completed a term as the chair and currently serves as Treasurer of the Northern New England Alliance of YMCAs (NH/VT/ME). Additionally, Mike serves on the Y Retirement Fund CEO Advisory Council.

    Joe Manzoli2Joseph W. Manzoli Jr.  |  Chief Operating Officer  |  jmanzoli@nmymca.org

    After more than 10 summers of involvement at a YMCA camp, Joe Manzoli began his professional involvement with the YMCA in 1999 as the County Program Director with the Cheshire County YMCA in Keene, NH. In 2004 Joe accepted a role with the YMCA of Greater Boston as the Associate Executive Director of the Waltham Family Branch. He would spend time as the Executive Director of the Dorchester Branch before once again feeling New Hampshire tugging on his heart strings.

    In 2008, Joe became the Branch Executive Director of the Nashua Branch of the YMCA of Greater Nashua . A year later, Joe would take on a new challenge as the Chief Operating Officer for the association, leading –what he refers to as his greatest work accomplishment–his team of dynamic program directors in operating The YMCA of Greater Nashua.

    Cindy McNickle | Chief Financial Officer | cmcnickle@nmymca.org

    Cynthia (Cindy) McNickle, CPA, MBA, joined the YMCA in October 2020, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this position, she oversees and manage all financial matters, investments and information systems including giving direction and leadership for YMCA business operations and strategic initiatives.

    Prior to joining the Y, Ms. McNickle served as Finance Director for the Hudson (NH) School District and held a variety of senior level finance and accounting positions in the high tech industry and for defense contractors. She earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut.

    Cindy has lived in Nashua since 2013. She fondly shares that after growing up as a ‘USAF brat’, she calls New England her home. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and golfing with her husband, Patrick. She’s also an avid reader. Cindy’s volunteer interests include volunteering to serve as an advocate for abused and neglected children in the New Hampshire court system as a Guardian Ad Litem for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Other past volunteer roles include many years with the Greater Hartford Jaycees and in various roles with the Cromwell Children’s Home, the American Red Cross and the Delta Gamma Fraternity.

    Elizabeth CovinoElizabeth Covino | Chief Community Relations Officer | ecovino@nmymca.org

    Elizabeth Covino joined the YMCA of Greater Nashua in 2013 overseeing development and marketing. She has enjoyed 25 years in the non-profit sector including leadership positions at Merrimack Valley YMCA, New England College of Optometry and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty in Boston. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from California State University in Fresno and is past recipient of the YWCA’s Tribute to Women Award recognizing women of remarkable business and community achievement. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Greater Nashua and a 2022 graduate of Leadership New Hampshire.

    The Y is close to her heart as she was a Y kid in Barrington, Rhode Island, participating in programs and volunteering. Beth serves on the board of directors of the Greater Merrimack Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Nashua, where she served as President for 2021/2022. She is an Ambassador of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce. Beth served as President of the Association of YMCA Professionals (now called YPN, YMCA Professionals Network) Chapter 4.

    June ZoiaJennifer Colangelo | Director of Human Resources | jcolangelo@nmymca.org

    Jennifer Colangelo joined our team in April 2019 as a Human Resources Generalist and was promoted to Director of Human Resources in November of 2021. During her tenure with our Y association, Jennifer has created a streamlined approach to HR Systems, managed and led multiple HR projects and has further strengthened the partnership between HR and our employees. In her new role, Jennifer will oversee all areas related to Human Resources.

    Born and raised in Connecticut, Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science at Southern Connecticut State University. Jennifer has a broad range of Human Resource Management experience with over twelve years in the field. Her career has included HR roles at Fidelity Investments and Wilmott & Associates. She is a member of SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) as well as the Greater Nashua Human Resources Association.

    Jennifer has a passion for her faith and family. She lives in Manchester NH with her daughter and husband. She volunteers on the board of Light of Life Ministries and leads a Youth Group at her local church.

    Jason MayeuJason Mayeu  |  Director of Marketing  |  jmayeu@nmymca.org

    Jason Mayeu brings many years of experience in marketing, brand management, social media strategy and graphic design within the non-profit sector to the YMCA. He provides leadership to collectively accomplish the goals of the organization including telling the Y’s story through its many member impact stories.

    Before joining the Y, he utilized his marketing and communication skills to manage the brand, build awareness, and assist in overall growth of a for-profit company in Southern NH. Prior to that, he spent nearly 10 years at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), with his last position being Senior Director of Creative Services in the University College’s Marketing and Communications Office. He is a 2016 graduate of Leadership New Hampshire and  holds a BFA in Graphic Design from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

  • Board of Directors

    The YMCA of Greater Nashua is a not-for-profit community service organization which has no private owners or stockholders. The Y is governed by a board of community volunteers, who represent the Y’s service area.

    OFFICERS

    Andy Whigham, YMCA of Greater NashuaAndy Whigham, CVO
    Edward Jones
    Financial Advisor

     

    Kyle Schneck, YMCA of Greater NashuaKyle Schneck, Vice Chair
    St. Mary’s Bank
    Director of Commercial Banking

     

    Joseph Thomas, YMCA of Greater NashuaJoseph G. Thomas, Treasurer
    Macom Technology Solutions, Inc.
    CEO (Retired)

     

    Kelli Wholey, YMCA of Greater NashuaKelli Wholey, Secretary
    Lumina Portraits
    Commercial Photographer

     

    Stephen Lynn, YMCA of Greater NashuaStephen Lynn, Immediate Past CVO
    Fidelity Investments
    VP, Branch Leader

     

    BOARD MEMBERS

    Anne Cushing, YMCA of Greater NashuaAnne M. Cushing
    Kindred
    Founding Member

     

    Joy Devins, YMCA of Greater NashuaJoy Devins
    Atrium Innovations
    Head of Medical Affairs

     

    Charles Dobens, YMCA of Greater NashuaCharles T. Dobens
    Dobens Law, LLC
    Attorney at Law

     

    Peter LaQuerre, YMCA of Greater NashuaPeter LaQuerre
    Oracle
    Enterprise Software Developer (Retired)

     

    Kyle Morse, YMCA of Greater NashuaKyle Morse
    Community Bridges
    Vice President of Provider Services

     

    Deb Novotny, YMCA of Greater NashuaDeborah Novotny
    Enterprise Bank
    Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending

     

    John L. Olson, YMCA of Greater NashuaJohn (Jack) Olson
    Texas Instruments, Inc.
    VP and General Manager (Retired)

     

    Camille Pattison, YMCA of Greater NashuaCamille Pattison
    Nashua Regional Planning Commission
    Assistant Director

     

    JJ Poirier, YMCA of Greater NashuaJJ (James) Poirier
    Eastern Bank
    Branch Manager

     

    Helen Principio, YMCA of Greater NashuaHelen Principio
    Stibler Associates
    Interior Designer

     

    Amir Toosi, YMCA of Greater NashuaAmir Toosi
    Rivier University
    Dean of Business and Security Studies

     

    Rosemery Torres, YMCA of Greater NashuaRosemery Torres
    Purple Finch Properties
    Realtor

     

    Susan Whittemore, YMCA of Greater NashuaSusan B. Whittemore
    Starburst Data
    Vice President, GTM and Sales Operations

     

  • Board of Trustees

    The YMCA of Greater Nashua instituted a corporate Board of Trustees in early 2013. These are members of our community who have over the years been connected to the Y in various capacities: former Board of Directors members; volunteers; and supporters. This volunteer board is a way to reconnect these Y supporters in a deeper way and to keep their institutional history and knowledge within the organization.

    “As Trustees, these volunteers will be in the inner circle to hear what our strategic plan and visions is guiding us to do, and to hear and weigh in our expansion / renovation plans, and ultimately see how the YMCA of Greater Nashua impacts the lives of so many members of our community. As advocates for this Y, Trustees have the power to share our good work and I want you to hear the message directly and to utilize you as advisors and as a resource,” said CEO Mike LaChance.

    OFFICERS

    John Mokas, Chair
    Charlie Hall, Vice-Chair
    Marsha Bottino, Secretary

    TRUSTEE MEMBERS

    Andrea Riley Arnesen
    Caryn Blake
    John Callahan
    Denis Dancoes
    Greg Derderian
    Nelson Disco
    Dr. Rob Dorf
    Paul Edmunds
    Nicole Ennis
    Lydia Foley
    Peggy Gilmour
    Frank Grossman
    Charlie Hall
    Morgan Hollis
    Donna Karwoski
    James Kimberly
    Jim Leary
    Tom Long
    Dave Mahoney
    Tony Mandravelis
    Jen Melker
    Anna O’Herren
    Earl Prolman
    Ben Robinson
    Michael Rubino
    Bob Shepard
    Melissa Skarupa
    Tony Tremblay
    Tim Vadney
    Dr. Ken Weintraub

What is a Y?

A POSITIVE FORCE IN THIS COMMUNITY

YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, but don’t let the name misinterpret that YMCAs are only for “young Christian men”. While the organization was founded to provide alternatives to the “evils of society” for young men moving into London back in 1844, it is open to everyone (and has been for quite some time). In fact, last year your local YMCA served over 30,000 people in Greater Nashua. 41% of those served were under the age of 18, 51% were female, and they are all representative of our community in terms of culture, religion, income level, age, and level of education.

The YMCA is a private not-for-profit organization governed by a local board of directors (volunteers) providing programs and services determined to meet the needs of individuals in local communities. Although the organization employs nearly 300 staff, it is still volunteer led and driven. Last year more than 215 individuals volunteered their time at the YMCA to serve others. The total value of the time donated by these individuals exceeded $158,000.

The YMCA of Greater Nashua operates four facilities (Nashua YMCA, Merrimack YMCA, Westwood Park YMCA, and Camp Sargent). The primary program and service areas are Child Care, Camping, Youth Sports, Teen Leadership, Health & Wellness, Aquatics, Dance and the Arts.

The YMCA of Greater Nashua offers hundreds of different programs to serve our local communities. We also offer a financial aid program, Y Cares, which allows individuals and families the ability to belong and participate in any Y program for a fee – based on their income level and family size. Last year, Y Cares benefited hundreds of deserving individuals and families with over $618,000 in support. Financial assistance allows a single parent to send their child to a quality child care or camping program while they work to support their family. Financial assistance provides a senior woman, living on social security, to participate in a water exercise program to relieve her arthritis, and gives a teen the opportunity to come to the Y every day to play basketball instead of being on the streets after school.

Collectively, the nation’s more than 2,650 YMCAs are the largest not-for profit community service organization, the largest provider of child care (nearly 10,000 child care sites serving more than 500,000 children), the largest operator of swimming pools, and the largest employer of teens in the US. Last year more than 11 million people were members of a local YMCA in the USA.

YMCAs are in over 120 countries across the globe, in some countries they are the school to educate the children, in others they are there to train workers in jobs relevant to that region and, in Jerusalem the YMCA is the one place where Muslims and Christians work side by side while the children play and learn together in peace.

Just what is a YMCA – your YMCA? The Y is a positive force in this community. Everything the Y does is in service of making us – as individuals and a community – better. This impact can be seen in the lives we touch throughout the year.

 

 

Be a part of positive change

DONATE TODAY