YMCA of Greater New York Board Elects New Chair; Janice Reals Ellig First Woman to Chair Largest YMCA in 155-Year History

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 11, 2007

At the organization's bimonthly meeting last month, Janice Reals Ellig was unanimously elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York. Reals Elllig, Co-Chief Executive Officer of executive search firm Chadick Ellig, Inc., is the first woman to hold the position since the YMCA's founding in 1852.

"I am truly honored and consider it a privilege to be the new Chair of the YMCA Board." said Reals Ellig as she accepted the ceremonial gavel from outgoing Chair Barry Salzberg. "I look forward to working closely with CEO Jack Lund and his outstanding team, in further sharing the tremendous story of the YMCA of Greater New York, our city's largest youth-serving organization."

Reals Ellig has served the Board since 2002, when an introduction to the YMCA's breadth of services to New York's teens made an impact on how she had traditionally viewed the organization.

"It took meeting a YMCA teen counselor to understand that the Y was not only a positive place for kids and families to come exercise, but also an anchor of safety and nurturing for so many of our youth," said Reals Ellig. "I'm proud to be a part of an organization that is truly saving lives and helping kids on the road to becoming responsible, future leaders."

Despite its founding in 1852 as an organization for the health of men and boys in spirit, mind and body, the YMCA welcomed women to its meetings as early as 1855 in Brooklyn and admitted them as full members in 1859, recognized as the first YMCA in the country to do so. Four women joined the organization's citywide Board of Directors in 1970, including then-NYCHA Housing Manager Myrtle Whitmore, who continues to serve on the YMCA's Board Emeritus.

"Janice brings great skills and enthusiasm to this important leadership role," said Jack Lund, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. "We look forward to continuing growth and community impact during her tenure as chair of our Board."

Outgoing Chair Barry Salzberg, Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, made governance and fiscal responsibility the core of his three-year term. Among the Board's accomplishments since 2005 are an increased emphasis on strategic planning, volunteer engagement and a renewed commitment to fundraising, particularly through the annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

"I have loved being a part of this board, and I'm delighted to continue in my new role," said Salzberg. "I can't think of anyone more capable to step into this role than Janice, and I have every confidence that she will continue to build a world class board for this organization we have so much passion for."

Salzberg remains a member of the Board of Directors and will chair the YMCA's Capital Steering Committee, which is planning for the Association's long-term growth in serving the children, teens, adults and families of New York City's neighborhoods. Current projects in the works are new YMCAs on the Rockaways and Coney Island, and a complete reconstruction of the YMCA's Center in Ridgewood, Queens.

Reals Ellig added, "Barry's leadership is one that fostered strong corporate governance, the active involvement of all Board Directors and a long list of accomplishments in further building a strong YMCA presence throughout New York City. Barry's passion for the Y is alive in his commitment of time and support. He exemplified what a leader should be; Barry is the Y!"

At the June meeting Frank J. Bivona, CEO of FGIC, was elevated to Vice Chair, joining Robert H. Silver, co-founder of the Bravitas Group, and Kevin Burke, chairman, president and CEO of Con Edison. The Board also welcomed new members Joseph P. Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund, and Susan D. Whiting, executive vice president of The Nielsen Company and chairman and CEO of Nielsen Media Research. William D. Rueckert, managing member of Oyster Management Group was elected to the Emeritus Board.

Reals Ellig has worked extensively with top management and Boards of Directors on organizational development, executive compensation, succession planning and branding initiatives. With over 20 years of experience at companies such as Pfizer, Citibank and Ambac Financial Group, she now focuses her executive search work across a broad array of functions and diversified financial services organizations. She has co-authored two books, including Driving The Career Highway, 20 Road Signs You Can't Afford To Miss (Thomas Nelson, 2007) and What Every Successful Woman Knows: 12 Breakthrough Strategies to Get the Power and Ignite Your Career (McGraw-Hill, 2001), which Business Week called "the best of its genre."

Reals Ellig also serves as a Board Director at the University of Iowa Foundation and is on the Business Committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Additionally, she is a member of the Women's Forum and The Economic Club of New York. She was honored in 2007 by Women's eNews as one of "21 Leaders of the 21st Century" and is a recipient of a WLIW21 Award In Excellence for her contributions to the economic development for women. A native New Yorker, she resides in New York City with her husband, Bruce Ellig.

For the YMCA: Kevin Shermach, 212-630-9627. For Chadick Ellig: Chris Gratz, 212-688-8671

The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.

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