Leadership
Executive Leadership Team
Kathy Kuras
President & CEO
Kathy Kuras
Kathy Kuras is President and CEO of the YMCA of Austin, the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 65+ year history.
“I am inspired by what can be achieved when a diverse group of caring people come together.”
Kathy grew up in Dallas, and brings 30 years of Y experience in large metropolitan areas (Dallas, Charlotte and Boston) as well as with YMCA of the USA, the organization’s national resource center, where she pioneered an enterprise-wide leadership development effort and helped revitalize the organization’s culture.
Throughout her community-focused career, she has led the development of strategic partnerships, implemented innovation strategies, and scaled multiple initiatives to 800+ local YMCA associations, resulting in organizational growth and positive outcomes in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Notable examples include co-founding the Know Before You Go (now Safety Around Water) drowning prevention program, collaborating initially with Children’s Medical Center, National Safe Kids Coalition and American Red Cross in Dallas; enhancing a medical referral program through a shared nurse staffing model with the YMCA and Carolinas Healthcare System (now Atrium Health); engaging Northwestern University’s graduate program in Organizational Learning and Change to enhance storytelling and engagement, mobilizing 500 YMCA change champions across the U.S.; and launching a comprehensive virtual health and fitness platform (www.ymcago.org) serving the Greater Boston community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing from her arts background, she is also a filmmaker and co-founder of an independent music and film company, Vanguard Muse. In 2021, Kathy received the Breaking Barriers Award from the Women’s Football Alliance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium for her first feature documentary film, OPEN FIELD, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2020 and won Best Documentary Audience Awards at the Alexandria, Riverside International and Angeles Doc Film Festivals in 2021.
Kathy is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and holds an undergraduate degree in music from Loyola University of New Orleans and a Masters of Organizational Management & Leadership from Springfield College in Massachusetts.
Shaq Brown
Chief Operations Officer
Shaq Brown
Chief Operations Officer
Shaq has worn multiple hats throughout his career. He began his career in New Jersey in 2007, where he worked his way through the YMHA and YMCA ranks, gathering meaningful experiences along the way. Shaq has hands-on and supervisory experience in all departments of the YMCA and is responsible for implementing of the first Day Camp and school-aged childcare site for the Wayne community. While in NJ, Shaq led the development of the multi-statewide strategy for engaging at-risk youth, which led to the development of the 7th Grade Initiative. He continued to work with the NJ and PA State Alliance to create the Middle School Initiative – where all Middle School students received access to the Y to increase physical activity, develop social skills and improve leadership skills. Shaq later partnered with Board members and led the opening of a 25,000 sq. ft. satellite branch in an underserved community, focused on providing access to those who otherwise couldn’t afford the YMCA.
In 2017, Shaq transitioned to the YMCA of Greater Seattle where he took on multiple Executive roles, including Executive Director & Senior Executive Director. While in Seattle, Shaq supported multiple South King County YMCAs, expanded childcare in Centers and childcare site, launched the Lea Hill Early Education Center, supported the opening of the Kent YMCA, and developed community partnerships by serving on the Youth Advisory Council with the Seattle Kraken. While improving operations at the Center level, Shaq also worked closely on multiple capital projects, including an $800K gift for expanding Whole Person Health (Community Health Navigators) resources in the SeaTac community, increased volunteer opportunities at the Advisory Board and local engagement level, and led the partnership with government agencies on grants to subsidize lifeguard training for H.S students (Global Guards).
During his time in Seattle, Shaq played integral roles across various committees, spearheading organizational change, system enhancements, and strategic initiatives. Notably, he contributed to the Executive Compensation Committee, overseeing incentive structures, benefits, and rewards. Additionally, his leadership on Project Unify drove standardization and centralization efforts, while his involvement in the IS Governance Committee focused on refining systems and processes. Moreover, Shaq not only led the African American Resource Network (AARN) but also played a pivotal role in advancing the goals of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee, showcasing his dedication to nurturing an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. His contributions extended beyond internal initiatives, as shown by his efforts in cultivating and sustaining a partnership with DIG Global Partner: Nicaragua YMCA, furthering our commitment to global community engagement.
Sara Harwood
Chief Development Officer
Sarah Harwood
Chief Development Officer
Sara comes to the Y from the American Heart Association, where she has served for more than 15 years, most recently as Regional Senior Vice President of Development covering the 6 states of the Southwest Region – Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
Sara brings an award-winning track record of leading large teams, engaging volunteers and raising more than $10 million annually. She is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit. She and her family have called Texas home for the last nine years, during which time she has worked extensively in the Greater Austin area and participated with her family in YMCA programs, including volleyball, swim lessons and t-ball.
“From her work with the American Heart Association, Sara understands how philanthropy can power transformational change across communities,” said Kathy Kuras, Greater Austin YMCA President & CEO. “At the Greater Austin Y, we see immediate opportunities to scale our impact and build healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet. We are called to serve growing needs in areas such as early education and childcare, civic education, workforce development, and mental health services that require significant community investment.”
“The Y has the unique ability to shape community wellbeing across multiple dimensions and age groups,” Harwood said. “It’s an honor to join an organization with such a rich history of innovation and yet one that has its sights focused squarely on the future.”
At the Y, Sara will help fulfill the vision for a new Y facility in the Four Points area of West Austin, a second phase at YMCA Camp Moody, and future projects such as the redevelopment of the TownLake YMCA.
Tad Hatton
Chief Financial Officer
Tad Hatton
Chief Financial Officer
Tad Hatton is the Chief Financial Officer at Greater Austin YMCA. Previously, Tad was in Healthcare Consulting and held positions at Ascension, HCA Healthcare and Triad Hospitals throughout his career.
Tad received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas. Tad joined the Greater Austin YMCA Team in 2024 as EVP/Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, overseeing all real estate and financial matters for the Association, as well as all administrative departments at the Y’s Metro office.
In Tad’s 20+ years of healthcare executive work he was responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations and finance including all major construction projects, contracting, compliance, risk, safety and numerous other departments. Tad has overseen collectively over 1 billion in construction and renovation projects, responsible for stakeholder relationships to ensure strategic growth through sensible investment. “I take pride in providing myself and providing support to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for both our staff as well as our members”.
Tad and his two children have lived in the Austin region for over 16 years and are active in the community where they live and work. He previously served on the Central Texas YMCA’s Board of Director’s and has volunteered for numerous Y sports as coach of his son and daughters’ soccer and baseball teams. Giving back is part of what he feels his role is through the Greater Austin YMCA and to ensure access for all.
Sean Doles
Public Affairs Officer
Sean Doles
Public Affairs Officer
Sean Doles began his YMCA career in 1999 and currently serves as Public Affairs Officer, managing the Y’s many relationships across Greater Austin, including with cities, counties, school districts and other nonprofits. During his tenure with the Austin Y, Sean has also managed all aspects of Y marketing, communications, fundraising and membership operations.
“I’m more excited than ever about the Y’s potential to elevate quality of life for all across Greater Austin,” he says. “What makes our work so interesting is how the Y continually evolves to meet the constantly changing needs of our community.”
Throughout his career, he has overseen significant growth in membership, programs and fundraising along with the launch of innovative programming to address childhood obesity, drowning prevention and chronic disease prevention.
Prior to the Y, Sean spent several years on the AT&T Team at Fleishman-Hillard, supporting C-suite executives, the AT&T Foundation and key public affairs and consumer initiatives like the launch of its TV service and the original iPhone.
A native of New Orleans, Sean is a graduate of the University of Southern California and author of two books about his hometown, Saving Mr. Bingle, and All Saints Day. Married for over 25 years, he is the proud father of two sons.
Monet Love
Senior Executive Assistant
Monet Love
Sr. Executive Assistant Office of the President & CEO
Monet Love is the Senior Executive Assistant in the Office of the President & CEO
Senior Leadership Team
Jason Gindele
Chief Youth Development Officer
Jason Gindele
Chief Youth Development Officer
I’m a progressive executive focused on making a real difference in our community. As a former tech professional, I’m passionate about building organizations and systems that operate efficiently and effectively, take care of staff members, embrace new ideas, act as thought leaders in the field and serve the greater good.
Kristen Ruff
Chief People Officer
Kristen Ruff
Chief People Officer
Kristen Ruff is the Chief People Officer at the Greate Austin YMCA.
Sarah Inbau
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah Inbau
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah comes to the Y with more than 15 years of experience growing iconic brands, including Huggies® and Kleenex® with Kimberly-Clark Corporation and, most recently, served as Chief Growth Officer with Austin-based nonprofit Hand to Hold. During her two years at Hand to Hold, she helped grow the mission impact by fifty percent, removed barriers for early intervention mental health support through tech innovation, and established strategic foundations to enable sustainable mission growth. Prior to being on staff, Sarah volunteered her time as a member of the Hand to Hold Executive Board of Directors.
Sarah is a seasoned leader with depth of experience in brand, product, performance, and growth marketing. Her multi-disciplinary career makes her a versatile marketing leader and effective cross-functional integrator. Sarah’s mix of corporate and nonprofit experiences will help us position the Greater Austin Y for our next phase of growth and impact.
Wendell McClellon
Chief Property Officer
Wendell McClellon
Chief Property Officer
Wendell McClellon began his YMCA career in 2022 and currently is the Chief Property Officer. As a longtime Y member, Wendell has spent countless hours lifting weights and playing basketball at Y facilities across the country.
After spending 34 years in Manufacturing, Aerospace and Healthcare, the opportunity was presented to join the Y. During his long career, Wendell has successfully led multi-million-dollar facilities, advanced customer relations and innovation. Calling Altus, OK home, Wendell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
He has 2 sons, Brice and Jarren. Wendell is a lifelong OU (Boomer) Sooner fan with a love of jazz music.
Andrew Wiggins
Assistant Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Wiggins
Assistant Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Wiggins began his Y experience as a youngster playing basketball and flag football at the TownLake YMCA. While looking for a job after his freshman year at the University of Texas, he launched his Y career in 1999 as a summer camp counselor. After that first summer, Andrew was hooked and worked as an afterschool and camp staff member throughout the remainder of his time at UT.
After briefly studying in Spain after graduation, Andrew was given the opportunity to join the YMCA of Austin as a full time staff person in 2003 and has never left – rising in the ranks from Program Coordinator, Program Director, Associate Executive Director, Executive Director, District Executive, and Vice President.
Andrew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business Honors from UT. He takes pride in using his business acumen to guide the Y strategically, organizationally, and financially. During his time with the Austin Y, Andrew has overseen traditional Y programs, like afterschool, camp, youth and government, and youth sports, as well as guided the inceptions of Project SAFE, Early Learning Readiness, and MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It!). He is particularly proud of his efforts to promote water safety and downing prevention, help close the opportunity gap, promote civic education, and combat childhood obesity.
He is married and the proud father of two young children. Andrew loves UT sports and co-founded a blog, BurntOrangeNation.com, in the mid-2000s. When not at the Y, Andrew enjoys podcasts, long walks, playing golf, traveling, and playing with his kids.
Amanda Walker
Vice President of Operations – North
Amanda Walker
Vice President of Operations, North
Amanda is a nonprofit leader with a passion for serving the community through the Y mission and services. Over the past 21 years, she has served the YMCA organization in a variety of operational roles with a proven track record in driving operational effectiveness, leadership development and working with Y’s to drive the member, guest and community experience. Throughout her experience with the YMCA she served in Program Director roles moving into Executive roles and most recently served as a District Vice President of Operations while keeping connected to Aquatics as a speciality area of focus.
As a Ball State University graduate, she balances her professional success with a love for the outdoors, family, friends and her two dogs. She’s looking forward to experiencing all that the Austin area has to offer!
Betsy Shelton
Chief Quality & Effectiveness Officer
Betsy Shelton
Chief Quality & Effectiveness Officer
Betsy brings over 20 years of leadership experience in continuous improvement, safety and quality, operational excellence, and organizational change management.
Betsy spent the most current 10 years of her career as a leader in a large, national healthcare system as the Director of Performance Improvement and Project Management Office. Before joining healthcare, Betsy was recognized internationally as an expert in carbon nanotube occupational exposure and product safety, resulting in The National Institutes of Health research funding, several publications, and keynote addresses. Betsy also has experience in pharmaceutical and biotech occupational health and safety, analytical chemistry, business development, and education.
Betsy is a Baldrige Excellence Framework Examiner, Certified Safety Professional, Certified Quality Engineer, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She holds a BS in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from Texas Lutheran University and an MS in Industrial Hygiene from Montana Tech-College of Technology. Betsy has served on the central Texas executive committees of the American Chemical Society and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and served as the majority owner Director on the Board of Directors for Central Texas Laundry, LLC.
Her leadership extends into her community as the Committee Chair of her local Boy Scouts of America Troop and Meet Director/Board Member for her neighborhood swim team.
Dione Booker
Vice President of Operations – South
Dione Booker
Vice President of Operations, South
I grew up in Louisiana and received my master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from LSU. My passions for helping others took root in fitness then expanded into leading others. I strive to build positive relationships within the work environment and community to allow for personal and professional growth.
I served the YMCA for 17 years in Greater Houston Texas where I grew my career from membership sales to Fitness Director to Center Executive. I then moved on to develop a successful corporate membership program for Gold’s Gym Houston. Later served as Vice President of Operations for Fitness Project where I lead teams in a rebrand from Gold’s Gym at the same time rebuilt membership base following COVID.
I have been blessed with a beautiful family to include my husband John of 29 years, son Jett and twin daughters Cannon and Jene’.
Kyle Carroll
Associate Vice President of Development
Kyle Carroll
Associate Vice President of Development
Kyle is a senior development professional with over 15 years of experience consistently achieving and exceeding non-profit contributed revenue goals through successful fundraising strategies, effective relationship building, and donor-centric approaches. She has held key positions on philanthropy teams for large organizations such as Asia Society in NYC, an international policy and cultural non-profit, and on the national team for the March of Dimes, driving major gift strategies for 10 markets in the Southeast Region. In her current role with the Greater Austin YMCA, she works closely with executive leadership and volunteers across the organization to ensure resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community, with a focus on the strategy, success, and growth of a $2M annual fund, major giving and corporate pipeline building, grant funding, and legacy giving. She prides herself on being community-focused, collaborative, passionate and mission-driven, with an analytical mind, servant heart, and creative spirit. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylecarroll
Adrienne Barnett
Associate Vice President of Operations
Adrienne Barnett
Associate Vice President of Operations
Adrienne Barnett serves as the Associate Vice President, Operations overseeing Northwest Family YMCA and the future Four Points YMCA. Additionally, she serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Youth & Family Impact Team working with the team across the Greater Austin YMCA association to bring innovative, educational, and fun programs serving youth and families in our communities. She brought with her over 20 years of experience in informal STEM education, nonprofit operations/administrative management, and executive leadership from her career in science and children’s museums. Her museum career was spent at Exploratorium in San Francisco, Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, and Thinkery – right here in Austin. Adrienne holds a B.S. in geology from The University of Texas at Austin and received her MBA and a Master’s in museum studies from John F. Kennedy University. In her role at YMCA, she gets to serve her local community – the community she grew up in and currently resides in. She moved to Northwest Austin at the age of seven attending Purple Sage Elementary, Grisham Middle School, and Westwood High School. She also attended McNeil High School (before it opened) when it served as Westwood’s ninth grade annex. When she’s not at work you’ll find her exploring and hiking in Austin parks or biking the neighborhood with her wife, two children, and their labradoodles (yes, the dogs go biking too). You may also find her and her family at the pool – her lifelong love of swimming began when she learned to swim at the Y! Adrienne’s work is driven by a passion for creating fun, interactive, transformative experiences that are inclusive and welcoming to all.
Jennifer Mckethan Ferina
Associate Vice President of of Customer Strategy
Jennifer Mckethan Ferina
Associate VP of Customer Strategy
Jennifer is the Associate Vice President of Customer Strategy at the Greater Austin YMCA.
Kristen Pierce
Associate Vice President, Integrated Mental Health
Kristen Pierce
Associate Vice President of Integrated Mental Health
Kristen Pierce is a licensed marriage and family therapist and is the Associate Vice President of Integrated Mental Health at The Greater Austin YMCA. She is the creator of Greater Austin YMCA Counseling, the Austin YMCA’s new mental health initiative. Prior to joining the YMCA, she served as the Executive Director of Austin Child Guidance Center, the first person of color to do so in their 70-year history.
Before moving into nonprofit leadership, Kristen spent over a decade helping couples and families curate relationships rooted in trust, collaboration, and fun. An AAMFT and Texas approved supervisor since 2011, she has supervised dozens of master’s level and provisionally licensed therapists over her 20+ year career.
Born and raised in Newton Massachusetts, she moved to Austin in 2011 with her family and currently lives in Northwest Austin with her husband and three very busy fur babies. She is the mother of two amazing adult children and loves anything to do with music and performing arts.
Greater Austin YMCA Metropolitan Board of Directors
Reagan Nash
Board Chair
Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Dorothee Auldridge
Board Vice Chair
Realtor, Keller Williams Lake Travis
Brian Haulotte
Immediate Past Board Chair
Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Construction Operations, JE Dunn Construction
Mariko Boswell
Board Treasurer
Executive Vice President, PIMCO
Evan Johnson
Board Secretary
Partner, Spencer Fane LLP
Andy Carlson
Facilities & Growth Committee Chair
Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Kierstan Schwab
Board Engagement & Philanthropy Committee Chair
Executive Director, Texas PBS
Kate Henderson
Executive Committee
Regional Market President, Urology Austin
Kelly Latz
Executive Committee
Partner, Fritz, Byrne, Head & Harrison, LLP
JaNet Barkley-Booher
Board Member At Large
Retired, State of Texas
Jeremy Blackman
Board Member At Large
Portfolio Manager, Luther King Capital Management
Blaine Brunson
Board Member At Large
Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Susan Burton
Board Member At Large
Partner, Cornell Smith Mierl Brutacao Burton, LLP
Katherine Butler
Board Member At Large
Managing Director, Melba Investments
Andy Carlson
Facilities & Growth Committee Chair
Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Sam Greer
Board Member At Large
Director, Austin Community College
Bart Gunkel
Board Member at Large
General Sales Manager, Covert Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram
Linda Y. Jackson
Board Member At Large
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Huston-Tillotson University
Trennis Jones
Board Member at Large
Vice President Community Development, Austin FC
Sharmila Kassam
Board Member at Large
Mutual Fund Trustee, Calamos Investments
Brett Matens
Board Member at Large
Chief Executive Officer, Heart Hospital of Austin
David Quintanilla
Board Member at Large
Adjunct Professor, Red McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
Sean Taylor
Board Member at Large
Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer, ERCOT
