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 30 years of working for the YMCA of Greater Nashua in 2023. 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.

    Jennifer ColangeloJennifer Colangelo | Chief Human Resources Officer | jcolangelo@nmymca.org

    Jennifer Colangelo has been a valuable member of our YMCA since April 2019, and she now serves as our Chief Human Resource Officer. In this role, Jennifer leads the alignment of HR strategies with our broader business goals. Her dedication to creating a positive work environment and strengthening workplace relationships is evident in her work. She is committed to employee well-being and organizational effectiveness, continually spearheading initiatives that support both our team’s growth and our company’s mission.

    Originally from Connecticut, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science from Southern Connecticut State University. With extensive experience in Human Resource Management, she has held HR positions at Fidelity Investments and Wilmott & Associates. Jennifer is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Manchester Area Human Resources Association (MAHRA), and the Greater Nashua Human Resources Association.

    Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is passionate about her faith, family, and friends. She resides in Manchester, NH, with her husband, daughter, and their dog. Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She also contributes to her community as a Board Member for Light of Life Ministries in Manchester and is actively involved in 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

    Joy Devins, Board of Directors, YMCA of Greater NashuaJoy Devins, CVO
    Loon Rising, LLC
    Founder/Health Coach

     

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

     

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

     

    Deborah Novotny, Board of Directors SecretaryDeborah Novotny, Secretary
    Enterprise Bank
    Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending

     

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

     

    BOARD MEMBERS

    Patty Burns, YMCA of Greater NashuaPatty Burns
    Centerline Biomedical
    Senior Vice President

     

    Anne Cushing, YMCA of Greater NashuaAnne M. Cushing
    BlueHub Capital/One Percent for America
    Senior Vice President of Marketing and Engagement

     

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

     

    Madeline Fitts, YMCA of Greater NashuaMadeline Fitts
    Nonprofit Marketing Communications Manager
    Nashua Education Foundation

     

    Lydia Foley, YMCA of Greater NashuaLydia Foley
    Purple Finch Properties
    Founder

     

    Gregg Gordon, YMCA of Greater NashuaGregg Gordon
    UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)
    Group Vice President, Business Development

     

    Marnie Gordon, YMCA of Greater NashuaMarnie Gordon
    First Advantage
    Enterprise Sales Executive

     

    Alix Gray, YMCA of Greater Nashua

    Alix Raspé Gray
    Dartmouth College
    Professor of Harp

     

    Erik Gray, YMCA of Greater NashuaErik Gray
    Department of Veteran’s Affairs
    Marriage and Family Therapist

     

    Martha Hart, YMCA of Greater NashuaMartha Hart
    Protective Life and Annuity
    Vice President, National Sales Manager

     

    Kyle Morse, YMCA of Greater NashuaKyle Morse
    Benchmark Human Services
    State Director

     

    Cole Perreault, YMCA of Greater NashuaCole Perreault
    EnergizeME
    Head Generator Technician

     

    Rob Prunier, YMCA of Greater NashuaRob Prunier
    Harvey Construction
    Executive Vice President

     

    JJ Poirier, YMCA of Greater NashuaJJ (James) Poirier
    Eastern Bank
    Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Development Officer

     

    Rebecca Sartor, YMCA of Greater NashuaRebecca Sartor
    LifeStance Health
    Senior Operations Director

     

    Julie Simek, YMCA of Greater NashuaJulie Simek
    BAE Systems
    Finance Manager

     

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

     

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

     

    Laura Uribe, YMCA of Greater NashuaLaura Uribe
    Wave Life Sciences
    Senior Raw Material Planner

     

    Susan Whittemore, YMCA of Greater NashuaSusan B. Whittemore
    Tax.com / Ryan LLC
    Vice President, Revenue 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

    Paul Edmunds, Chair
    Andrea Rily Arnesen, Vice-Chair
    Marsha Bottino, Secretary

    TRUSTEE MEMBERS

    Andrea Riley Arnesen
    John Callahan
    Denis Dancoes
    Greg Derderian
    Nelson Disco
    Dr. Rob Dorf
    Paul Edmunds
    Nicole Ennis
    Lydia Foley
    Peggy Gilmour
    Frank Grossman
    Morgan Hollis
    Cory Hussey
    Donna Karwoski
    Jim Leary
    Tom Long
    Dave Mahoney
    Tony Mandravelis
    Jen Melker
    John Mokas
    Anna O’Herren
    Camille Pattison
    Helen Principio
    Earl Prolman
    Ben Robinson
    Kyle Schneck
    Bob Shepard
    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 48,000 people in Greater Nashua. 38% 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 250 individuals volunteered their time at the YMCA to serve others. The total value of the time donated by these individuals exceeded $235,000.

The YMCA of Greater Nashua operates four facilities (Nashua YMCA, Merrimack YMCA, Westwood Park YMCA, and YMCA Camp Sargent). The primary program and service areas are Child Care, Summer Camp, 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 $1,000,000 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.

Learn more about our impact in the Greater Nashua community in our 2024 Impact Report!

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.

 

 

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