National Executive Director
YMCA of the U.S.A.

Ken Gladish assumed office as National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA, in February 2000, becoming the twelfth national leader of the YMCA movement in the United States. He joined the YMCA of the USA following six years as Executive Director of the Indianapolis Foundation and William E. English Foundation and three years as President of the Central Indiana Community Foundation. He previously served as President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council and Director of the Indiana Donors Alliance.

A YMCA member from childhood, Ken grew up in Northbrook, Illinois, where his family were active members in development and programs of the North Suburban YMCA.

From ages of 12 to 25 he volunteered and worked at the North Suburban YMCA. His first professional position was as assistant director for youth and community programs. Ken later served on the boards of local YMCAs in Virginia (Charlottesville), Indiana (Indianapolis) and on the national board of the YMCA of the USA from 1977 to 1983, including terms as a Board Officer and member of several key committees. He also was a U.S. delegate to the YMCA World Alliance Executive Committee in Geneva.

Ken received a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College in Indiana and master’s and doctorate degrees in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. He taught at the college level at the University of Virginia, Butler University and Indiana University. Among his many volunteer responsibilities, he serves as a trustee of his alma mater, Hanover College, was President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, elder and Clerk of the Session of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Director of the Children’s Choir of Indianapolis and Commissioner of the Indiana Martin Luther King Holiday Commission.

Ken and his wife, Kendal, have two children, Ellen, 20, and Donald, 15. Kendal Hegamaster Gladish grew up in the YMCA of Toledo and its Camp Storer and is currently pursuing futher education.

The YMCA of the USA is the national support office for the nation’s 2,500 + YMCAs, and celebrated their 150th anniversary year in 2001. YMCAs serve over 17 million Americans, more than half of them children, and are collectively the nation’s largest charity and largest community-based service organization. More information on YMCAs can be found at www.ymca.net.