MEET IRENE JOHNSON

Irene Johnson - Horizontal

**This article was originally published in Women in Business

 

As Senior Executive Director of the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA Cooper Branch, Irene Johnson has the primary responsibility of overall leadership of the branch, while also providing leadership to strategic initiatives within the Association.

"My responsibilities include community engagement, execution of the strategic/operational plan, fiscal management, and oversight of all membership, programs, and services," Johnson says. Her duties focus on fundraising, strategic planning, program innovation and development, membership retention, and staff development.

Johnson was a "YMCA kid" growing up in West Texas, and much of her childhood is rooted in the Y, where she learned how to swim, participated in her first ballet class, and learned that she could be successful at anything she set her mind to. 

"In college, I began my career as a Day Camp Counselor in the YMCA of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Association," she says. "I was instantly energized by the non-profit work in this cause-driven organization that I benefited from as a child. In the last 25 years, I have served in various capacities in YMCAs across the country."

She was a Day Camp Counselor, Lifeguard and Childcare Director before moving into a leadership role. Before taking her current position, she served as Senior Executive Director, Director of Quality Assurance and Program Development, and Interim CEO. "In my current role as Senior Executive Director of the Cooper St. YMCA, I have the opportunity to channel my passion for human services into daily opportunities to positively impact the lives of adults, children, and families in the Arlington Mansfield service area." she says. 

Irene is now the Executive Director of both the Plano and Frisco Family YMCA. 

Authored by: cmccauley