Meet the YMCA Staff
The Waterbury YMCA staff members are on-hand to answer your questions about programs, classes and the facility.
JIM O’ROURKE Chief Executive Officer
MIKE TEDESCO Senior Director of Operations
Contact
About Mike
Mike Tedesco has spent the last fifteen years working for the YMCA, mainly focused in the realm of Day Camp and working in an Outdoor Center. In 2000 he started as a camp counselor and in 2004 embarked on the path to becoming a professional staff person within Day Camp and the YMCA. Most recently he was the Outdoor Center Director for YMCA Camp Mataucha. Mike was also responsible for all of the off-season camp programming offered at Camp Mataucha, including vacation camps, team building and property development.
Prior to working at the YMCA Mike grew up in the YMCA as a camper and a participant in after-school programs. Mike graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. He enjoys sports, the Yankees and is an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan. Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Sara, their three boys, Jeffrey, Brody, and Jase and long walks with his dog Napoleon.
Paula Labonte Development Director
About Paula
Contact Paula regarding the YMCA Community Support Campaign, fundraising events (Annual Breakfast, Golf Tournament, etc.) and private and government grant writing efforts. Paula works closely with the Board of Directors and associated committees and task forces. Paula also helps coordinate all capital projects at the YMCA and at Camp Mataucha.
Paula has been at the Waterbury YMCA since 1991. Paula's true passion lies at Camp Mataucha, where she has spent countless hours working on long–range plans and helping thousands of campership families send their children to camp.
Brandi Fitzgerald Finance Director
About Brandi
Brandi is responsible for the financial operations of the YMCA and works closely with the Finance Committee to ensure that the YMCA meets all 501(c)(3) non–profit requirements. She is also responsible for LAN Management and in-house Technical Support.
Brandi is a welcome addition to the YMCA family, she and her family are active in the Y's Triathlon Club, Running programs, and special events.
Tami Macary Human Resources Director
About Tami
Tami is responsible for the YMCA Human Resource department. Tami works closely with the Safety/Risk management committee to see that the YMCA remains a safe place for all who enter. Tami began her YMCA career at the Naugatuck YMCA in 1989 and has been with the Waterbury YMCA since 1996. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and finds small ugly dogs and adopts them.
Arun Kumar Facilities Director
About Arun
Arun has been the YMCA facility director since 1973 and directly oversees the YMCA maintenance staff and physical plant. Contact Arun regarding any physical plant concerns or questions.
Patti Flaherty Aquatics Director
About Patti
Contact Patti regarding swim classes, birthday parties, Barracuda Swim Team, Learn to Swim week, backyard swim lessons and senior swim program.
Patricia Flaherty has been the Aquatic Director since 1998. She is responsible for all youth, adult, senior, offsite, and competitive swimming programs. She is also responsible for all the staff first aid and safety training and is an American Red Cross volunteer instructor.
Adam Dubois Outdoor Center Director
About Adam
Adam is the Director of YMCA Camp Mataucha in Watertown and is no stranger to the camp world! Adam grew up at YMCA Camp Sloper, graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Community Recreation and Youth Development, and has been a Y professional for over 4 years. Adam loves rock climbing, the New York Giants, and eating Chex Mix only after it's been organized properly by best ingredient. More
Kristen Jones Child Development Director
About Kristen
Kristen has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport. Kristen began working at the YMCA in 2004 at the before and after school programs. Since then she has become our School-Age Director and looks forward to collaborating with families to bring a new level of quality and enrichment to the before and after school programs.
Contact Kristen about the School Readiness Program and before and after school programs in Carrington, Chase and Gilmartin schools along with here at the YMCA. Before and After school programs are also located in Watertown as well.
MEGHAN LENNON Health & Wellness Director
About Meghan
Contact Meghan regarding the Y Wellness Center, our Ready Set Go Weight Loss Program, personal training, the Greater Waterbury YMCA Triathlon Club, group fitness classes, SPINNING® classes, SilverSneakers® and the Running Program.
Meghan has been the Health & Wellness Director since November 2016, but she has been a part of the Wellness Team since 2007 when she was an intern. Meghan is passionate about healthy living and is an accomplished runner, triathlete, Strength Train Together Instructor, Stroller Bootcamp Coach, and clean eating chef. Meghan's other loves include gardening, traveling, her family and friends, and being Bailey's mom!
Dazure Prado DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Courtney Sims Health and Wellness Programs Specialist
About Courtney
Courtney holds a BS in Sociology and Applied Social Relations from Eastern Connecticut State University. She was previously the Director of the Gymnastics program at the Farmington Valley YMCA. She holds an ASFA Personal Training Certification and is an avid competitor in Crossfit, competing in the 2016 Crossfit games in Georgia. She has experience traveling and studying abroad, has coached volleyball and was a Division III Volleyball player for East Conn. She is committed to health and wellness both personally and professionally.
Laura Murphy Outdoor Center Program Director
(203)264-2817 (Summer)
(860)274-4820 (Off Season)
About Laura
Laura is excited to continue her career at the Greater Waterbury YMCA in the role of Outdoor Center Program Director. Over the past decade, Laura has taken on many roles at one of her favorite places, Camp Oakasha. This past summer, she eagerly accepted the position of camp director, and is looking forward to helping Camp Oakasha continue to grow and excel.
Growing up, Laura attended summer camps and spent most of her time outdoors exploring with friends and family. Her thirst for adventure has steered her toward a career that allows her to share her passion for community and the outdoors with others. Laura graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in elementary education and mathematics.
Rachel Walker Office/Finance Manager
About Rachel
Rachel has been with the Y since 2007 and handles administrator office operations, reporting and pretty much anything else that is thrown in her direction with a smile. Rachel fine tunes our YMCA wheel on a daily basis and provides the Y with endless important data that allows us to provide services to as many people as possible.
Tammie Lee Camp and Child Care Registrar
Emily Powell School Age Childcare Director
About Emily
Emily Powell has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University and has been working at the YMCA since she was in High School. Emily began attending YMCA Camp Oakasha when she was twelve years old becoming a junior counselor and working her way to a camp director at YMCA Camp Summer Sunshine. She is responsible for overseeing the staff, camp activities and most importantly ensuring that campers are having a great time at camp in a safe enriching environment.
Emily is the School Age Child Care Director for the onsite/offsite Before School and After School Programs at the YMCA. She is proud to be a part of a program that allows her to provide a safe and productive environment for school age children during before and after school hours. Emily has created a program where the children feel valued and truly enjoy their time at the YMCA.
Rubi Gil-Lopez Membership Operations Director
Samantha Vieira Accounts Payable & Financial Aide
Andrea Vignali Senior Director of Talent Management
About Andrea
Andrea bring over 35 years of YMCA experience to the Greater Waterbury Y! She is currently our Sr. Director of Talent Management where she focuses on best practices for hiring, onboarding and developing and retaining staff and volunteers. Prior to this role, Andrea spent 10 years at Y-USA in Talent Management and Leadership Development/Training. Andrea’s other Y experiences include Associate Executive Director, Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA, Executive Director, Stratford YMCA and Chief Operating Officer at the Wilton Family YMCA, all in CT. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from St. Bonaventure University.
