In August 2006, Lynne Vaughan joined YMCA of the USA as Senior Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer. In this role, Ms. Vaughan ensures that the YMCA continues to be relevant in a rapidly changing world. She provides organization-wide leadership in the identification, development, and implementation of large scale strategic opportunities that have the potential to significantly impact the growth and strengthening of the YMCA movement. Ms. Vaughan’s current focus is the national dissemination of Activate America®, an effort that will redefine the YMCA as it engages communities nationwide to provide better opportunities for people of all ages in their pursuit of health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.

Ms. Vaughan began her 30-year YMCA career as a part-time lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA in Battle Creek, Michigan. From there, she was promoted to various program leadership responsibilities, specifically addressing health & fitness, corporate wellness, disabled adults and preschool programming. Ms. Vaughan’s executive experience began as branch executive and senior vice president for the Harrisburg Area YMCA.

As the Director of Membership and Program Development at the YMCA of the USA in the 1990s, Ms. Vaughan managed the department responsible for the development of programs and member activities for the 964 corporate YMCAs across America. In addition she created the first YMCA Healthy Kids Day; a nationwide event conducted in YMCAs which focuses on educating parents about the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and strong relationships as a family. This event is now in its 16th year. Most recently, as Vice President of Program and Membership Development at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Ms. Vaughan had strategic oversight for program development, the creation of a multi-disciplinary program for families with overweight children in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and also led the Gulick Project, the largest organizational transformation effort undergone by the YMCA to address the nation’s current health crisis.

Ms. Vaughan received her Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from Western Michigan University. In addition to the YMCA’s professional organization Ms. Vaughan is involved in Harvard University’s Project Zero, Learning Innovations Laboratory Project.