Leading Edge
Spotlighting local business leaders, Villing’s Diane Doyne talks with Mark Weber, CEO, YMCA of Greater Michiana, to find out more about him and what’s cooking at the Y.
Q: What led you to the YMCA of Greater Michiana and the CEO role?
Mark: That’s an interesting story. My background is finance and business; I got my bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University and my master’s at IUSB. My first major job after college was working at Teacher’s Credit Union in finance and accounting. After about 12 years, I had the chance to become the CFO of United Federal Credit Union in St. Joseph, MI.
About eight years ago, I was itching to do something different—but I didn’t know what. Out of the blue, the chairman of the Niles YMCA called me. “Mark, we need to make changes at Niles. We’d like to bring in a new CEO and your name has been brought up.”
I said, “Well, why me? I’m a businessman. I know nothing about a Y. It’s a swim and gym facility, right?” The chairman said, “We’re a lot more than that. But that’s part of our problem.” She went on to say, “We need a business person. And you know business. You can learn the YMCA stuff…but we need a business mindset to come in and help us have a greater impact in what we’re trying to do.”
I said, “You know what, I’m not sure it’s for me, but let’s give it a try.” So I agreed to serve as interim CEO for three months, which gave them time to keep looking for a permanent CEO. Well, once I was there, I quickly realized that the Y is much more than a gym and swim facility. I also uncovered some amazing talent, and in about six weeks I realized this was a great opportunity for me. And that was eight years ago!
Q: You’ve said that “the mission of the YMCA is bigger than a building,” especially in light of having to close the old South Bend YMCA building. What does that mean?
Mark: Many people think of us as a building, a swim and gym facility: “That’s where I go to work out.” Well, we’re far more than that—we’re about community. We’re about helping our kids best prepare for their futures—not by doing it ourselves, but in collaboration with schools. We’re about community health—again, not by ourselves, but with health agencies and our hospitals.
The closing of the South Bend building was a tough but necessary decision—I can’t deny that. But it unknowingly became a catalyst and opened new doors for us. We can do so much by ourselves, but we can accomplish much more in a community by collaborating and working with others. We’re starting to see that now in South Bend—groups are approaching us and asking for our help. For example, we’re delivering a health and wellness program in area Catholic schools, and we’ve partnered with RiverBend Cancer Services to offer the LIVESTRONG® program to cancer survivors. We’re also becoming more involved with the mental health community.
Another great example is our partnership with South Bend Venues Parks & Arts and the O’Brien Fitness Center. Aaron Perri and his team do amazing work with all of their facilities throughout South Bend, and we realized we had complementary expertise and programming to bring to the table. In June, the O’Brien/YMCA Partnership was born, and it truly advances the community-focused mission of both the YMCA and VPA. We’re thrilled to see more people take advantage of that facility and all of the programs offered. We’re seeing great momentum and engagement in South Bend!
Q: What has surprised you about the YMCA of Greater Michiana?
Mark: I think one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises I’ve seen is our ability to adapt to changing living needs. The mindset of the YMCA staff isn’t about our programs; it’s more about what is needed and how we can bring viable solutions to the community.
Along those lines, we have a community needs assessment project underway right now to identify the strengths and resources available in Michiana to meet the needs of our children, youth, and families, and the relative capabilities of the community, including our citizens, agencies, and organizations. The results of the assessment will help determine how the YMCA can provide the most meaningful support going forward. enFocus, another local nonprofit, is leading the project, and we expect to have it completed in about six months.
Q: Last question: what do you do when you’re not working?
Mark: Oh, that’s a good question. I usually show up at work at five in the morning and I go home at six at night, and I work Saturday mornings.
Diane: You need some time off.
Mark: You know, that’s what my wife says. She’s worried that I’m never going to retire! But I am very much a family man. I’m all about my kids. And I have a granddaughter that’s a year and a half old now, and she’s got me wrapped around her finger—in a serious way! I mean, she’s going to be spoiled rotten. I’m also a boater and a golfer, and I love doing both with my family. I guess you could say I appreciate the simple things in life.