Watkins elected to national YMCA board

ESTES PARK — Julie Watkins, president and CEO of YMCA of the Rockies, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of YMCA of the USA. Y-USA is the national resource office for 2,700 Ys across the country.

The Y-USA board is composed of 27 members who set strategic direction and policy to guide the national office’s work to increase the capacity of Ys to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“I am proud to serve on this board along with individuals committed to the mission of the YMCA nationwide as we strive to advance the collective impact of the YMCA movement,” said Watkins in a statement.

Watkins has had a 28-year career with the YMCA movement, serving as the vice president of association advancement with the YMCA of the Rockies prior to becoming president and CEO. Under her leadership, YMCA of the Rockies serves more than 220,000 individuals annually with more than 2,000 staff and volunteers. Watkins started her service to the YMCA movement during her college years, working or volunteering at YMCA of the Rockies, Sioux YMCA and YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.

Outside of her work at the YMCA, she has served as a board member of the Grand Foundation, as a chair of Eternal Hills’ personnel committee, as a chair and member of the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board, and on the Winter Park- Fraser Valley Sales & Marketing Council. Watkins holds a bachelor of arts from Iowa State University.

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