Submitted
Salina Family YMCA CEO Transition May 15, 2024, The Board of Directors announces that Angie Lassley, President/CEO of the Salina Family YMCA, will be relocating to Kansas City in July to assume the role of Senior Vice President of Growth with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.
Lassley is the 16th person and first woman to lead the Y in Salina, a role she has filled since 2012.
"The Salina Y was my second home, my first part-time job and has provided me with inspiration and growth opportunities since moving home in 2012 to serve as the School Age Director. Choosing the Y for my career was never something I thought of while growing up, but being able to make a difference every day in someone's life is what drives me. I have been fortunate to serve in several YMCAs across the country, but serving the Salina community and raising my family in Salina has been incredibly special because it is home." Lassley said.
"When I started at the Salina Y as the Interim CEO, we were in a very tough financial position. With the tremendous support of donors and partners, along with an amazing team of board members and staff, this community has worked to make our YMCA mission successful, " Lassley said. "I am thankful for the partnerships, friendships, challenges, and opportunities we were presented with that made us stronger and allowed our Y and community to succeed over the past ten years. I am excited to watch how the Y and Salina continue to grow and serve our community. I will be back often."
Lassley has worked for the YMCA movement for over 30 years in Salina, Wichita, Kansas, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Lexington, Kentucky and will now add Kansas City to the list.
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"I am sad to leave Salina and my relationships, but I am excited to join the Kansas City team and be in the same community as our son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons, ages 4 and 1, is a bonus."
Her last day is slated for June 28.
The Salina Y Board of Directors has appointed Chris Lehecka as the Interim CEO. Chris, no stranger to the Y as a member, coach, and community partner, has been on the Salina YMCA staff since September 2023 as the Associate Executive Director, overseeing day-to-day operations, fundraising efforts, and project management.
"The board of directors expresses our sincere thanks to Angie for her commitment and service to our community through the mission of the YMCA. She leaves behind a Y that is stronger in every way than it was when she found it. In addition, she leaves behind a board and staff team that are well prepared and inspired to continue our YMCA long tradition of service around youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility," said Pastor Allen Smith, the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Y.
During Lassley's tenure, the Salina Family YMCA grew to serve over 7,000 members, supported children and families with two new childcare centers adding infant and toddler care and provided $294,000 in scholarships and subsidies made available by increased grants and strong donors and supporters.
Lassley also led a $4.3 million capital campaign to update and renovate the facility in 2018, as well as a few smaller capital campaigns and projects to renovate the lobby and the upcoming Outdoor Education and Pavilion project.