At the Y, we are so much more than a gym. We're a cause.
The Gateway Region YMCA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity that has been dedicated to strengthening our community and responding to the needs of the bi-state region for more than 170 years. We aim to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve health and well-being, and support and serve our neighbors.
Our Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body, for all.
Our Reach
Since our beginning, the Y has been one of the leading health and human service organizations in the bi-state region and continues to grow.
counties served throughout Missouri and Illinois
traditional YMCA locations
program sites
full- and part-time employees
members and program participants served
direct financial assistance provided annually
Gateway Region YMCA Leaders
Meet the experienced and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work every day to bring life to the Y's mission of healthier, more connected communities to life.
Meet the CEO
Tim Helm, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tim Helm currently serves as the 12th President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Region YMCA, one of the region’s leading nonprofits serving more than a quarter-million individuals annually through programs and services that nurture the potential of children and teens, promote health and well-being, and encourage positive social change.
Tim came to the Gateway Region YMCA in 2014, and in his first year, led the successful merger of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis and the YMCA of Southwest Illinois to become the Gateway Region YMCA. Tim also launched the Association’s long-term strategic planning process that guides organizational excellence, cultural improvement, and social responsibility to most effectively respond to growing community needs and position the Y for continued growth in the region. Tim has grown the Association from just over 38,000 membership units with an annual budget of $52 million, to more than 48,000 membership units on a budget of $75 million, which includes significant growth after recovering from the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
The Gateway Region Y is celebrating the recent completion of its five-year, comprehensive “Opportunity for All” capital campaign, launched in 2018. Under Tim’s leadership, the Y raised more than $59 million on a goal of $55 million, with the campaign focused on three primary strategies – bridging the opportunity gap, connecting communities and cultivating health equity in order to help those most in need in our region.
Before 2002, Tim held several other positions with the Dayton Y, including Branch Executive, Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President. Before joining the Dayton Y in 1996, Tim served a variety of roles for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati from 1989-1996. Tim has also assumed leadership positions on a number of national committees, including as the Chair of the YMCA Mid-Majors Group and as the Vice Chair for the National Board of Directors for the Association of YMCA Professionals. Tim currently serves on the YMCA Employee Benefits Committee, and is the past Chair of the YMCA Champions for Child Protection and for the Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs.
Tim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Tim is married to Heather May, and between the two of them, they have seven children and five grandchildren.
Meet the COO
Jared Beard, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer
Jared Beard is the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Gateway Region YMCA. In this role, Jared provides executive leadership for all of the Y's operating units and program areas, including health & well-being, camp, before and after school enrichment, and early childhood development.
Previously, Jared led the YMCA of Southwest Illinois as the interim President and CEO through a 2015 merger with the YMCA of Greater St Louis. In that role, he worked directly with volunteers and staff on the final phase of a strategic alliance to form the Gateway Region YMCA. The combined association now serves 13 counties, provides $6.3 million in financial assistance, relies on 7,000 volunteers and serves nearly 300,000 individuals through 24 branches across diverse communities in Missouri and Illinois.
Over the last ten years as the EVP and COO, Jared has built the reputation of the Y into one known for service and community throughout the region. Through strategic planning and execution, the organization has embraced a more inclusive and diverse culture. During the COVID-pandemic, the Y led vital programs to help communities recover and when met with social challenges, all levels of staff pulled together to deliver the Y’s mission.
As an advocate for lifelong learning, Jared holds a PhD in Nonprofit Management, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science/Sports Management and a Certificate in Fund Raising Management. He is also a Certified Fund-Raising Executive through CFRE International.
He and his wife Rachael, who is a researcher for the VA Health Care System, live in the Metro East with their son, Cole.
Meet the Board
Volunteer Board of Directors
The Gateway Region YMCA Board of Directors is composed of civic leaders who generously volunteer their time to support the mission of the YMCA and work to strengthen the communities we serve.
Officers
Board Chair: Jon Rosenstengel
Vice-Chair: Steve Hanley
Treasurer: Amy Smith
Secretary: Kurt Schwager
At Large Members
Matt Auffenberg
Vincent Bennett
Greg Dart
Michael Gibbons
Steve Hanley
Bradford Koeneman
Melissa Lackey
David Layton
Mark Leeker
Suzan McDaniel
Fred Perreand
Emily Pitts
Steve Rasche
Susan Ratz
Jon Rosenstengel
Kurt Schwager
Catherine Small
Amy Smith
Danna Stone
Jacques Thro
Hardy Washington, Jr.
Suzanne Lyons
Matt Whiting
Jim Zeck
Joe Barnard
Julie Tang
Rodney Malone
District Branch Board Chair Representatives
Darren George (YMCA Camp Lakewood/Trout Lodge)
Dave Randolph (West District)
Dr. Joseph King, Jr. (South District)
Stephen Brock (East District)
Christine Efthim (City District)
Meet the VPs
Executive Team
Leadership Staff:
Judy Abrams: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Wendy Cornett-Marquitz, CFRE: Senior Vice President of Philanthropy & Chief Development Officer
Deborah Tallo: Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Cathie Degler: Vice President, Human Resources
Dan Schulze: Vice President, Business Administration
Keelyn Krill: Vice President, Membership & Healthy Living
Steve Mastorakos: Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Melissa Lickert: Vice President, Accounting and Controller
Paul Schermesser: Vice President, Property Management
District Operations
Erin Darche: District Vice President, East District
Ken Strawbridge: District Vice President, West District
Matt Clark: District Vice President, South District
Matt Thompson: District Vice President, City District
Tom Verheyen: District Vice President, Southwest District
Additional Publications
Supporters of the YMCA have ensured the legacy of our organization for many years. One of the earliest gifts recorded came in 1883 from the Collier family in honor of their son. Today, those gifts and more help children and families prosper, and will for years to come.