Bertram L. Lawson II joined the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) this summer as president and CEO. A Lincoln University graduate, Lawson returns to Chester County bringing 26 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, education, business development, community health, engaging underserved communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Lawson most recently served as president and CEO of the YMCA of Central New York and has held a variety of leadership roles at YMCAs across the Eastern region, in addition to serving as chief operating officer for Mastery Charter Schools Network.

As Lawson returns to Chester County, he looks to expand the reach of the YMCA mission through the development of strategic relationships. Currently, the YMCA has a catalog of programming and a strong financial assistance program that awards upwards of $2 million annually. To impact more residents, Lawson knows YGBW must focus on strong partnerships and philanthropy with local government officials, community and business leaders, community groups and individuals who are aligned with the YMCA mission.

According to chief development officer Amy Bielicki, the YMCA awarded more than $2 million in financial aid to 11,000 families in Chester County last year to ensure they had access to child care, summer camps, programs and memberships at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Lawson's goal is to increase that number.

Lawson plans to partner locally with community leaders, YGBW board members and YGBW donors to advance the YMCA mission and to reach more underserved communities throughout the region. In addition to a strong partnership strategy, Lawson is aware of the important role that DEI and representation play in the process.

The YMCA has a large workforce of more than 1,600 employees that spans the entire county and beyond. Lawson's goal is for the YGBW to be viewed as an employer of choice in the region.

Lawson, a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit business and DEI, serves as the first African American leader of YGBW. In his first month, Lawson was invited by the National Association of YMCAs to speak about Board Equity and Governance at the YMCA General Assembly conference held in Atlanta, Ga.

For more information about Lawson, visit http://www.ymcagbw.org and choose the "Welcome Bertram!" article on the homepage.