Meet the YMCA Staff
Our team includes professionals from both the Greater Waterbury YMCA and Waterbury Youth Services (WYS), the youth development and family support branch of the Y.
Together, we work to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build a healthier, more connected Waterbury. Whether it's wellness, early childhood education, teen leadership, or community outreach, our staff are here to serve—with heart, purpose, and dedication.
Anthony Ireland CEO
About Anthony
Anthony Ireland is a lifelong leader, mentor, and champion for youth development and community empowerment. Born and raised in Waterbury, Anthony brings both deep local roots and a global perspective to his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Waterbury YMCA.
A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Anthony earned All-American honors as a student-athlete before embarking on an eight-year professional basketball career across Europe and Asia. These international experiences shaped his core values of teamwork, cultural connection, and resilience—principles that guide his leadership style today.
In 2018, Anthony founded The Leadership University Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to serving underrepresented youth and families through mentorship, education, athletics, and wellness. His work has positively impacted thousands through after-school programs, youth employment, summer camps, and community events. He also leads the AI 3 Leadership Academy, a social enterprise focused on character development through sport.
Anthony has long been involved with the YMCA, serving on the Board of Directors at the Greater Waterbury Y, and also holds a seat on the Waterbury Board of Education. His leadership is driven by collaboration, equity, and innovation—and a commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth and families can thrive.
Anthony is a proud husband and father, and his vision for the YMCA is clear: to ensure every person who walks through our doors feels valued, inspired, and empowered.
Kristen Jones Associate Executive 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 in the before-and-after-school programs. Since then, she has been our School-Age Director, collaborating with families to bring a new level of quality and enrichment to the before and after-school programs.
Manny Martinez Development Director
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.
Gary Bruce Controller/Grant Accountant
Gary Bruce is the Controller/Grant Accountant at the Greater Waterbury YMCA, where he has served since 2020. He holds a BA in Accounting from the University of New Haven and is currently pursuing an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Post University. A former Deputy Fire Marshal, Gary is a pragmatic professional who’s just as comfortable working in the weeds of accounting systems as he is presenting at a budget variance meeting. He is a member of the Waterbury Exchange Club and a six-time IRONMAN finisher, committed to discipline, community impact, and practical leadership rooted in accountability and results.
Jazmone Tucker Facilities Director
About Jazmone
Jazmone joined the YMCA team in June 2021. With a passion for community and wellness, she is dedicated to ensuring that all members and participants have a positive experience at the facility. Jazmone is your go-to person for facility-related needs, whether arranging event spaces or addressing maintenance requests. She brings a commitment to excellence and a friendly approach to all interactions.
Patti Flaherty Senior Director of Programs
About Patti
Patricia (Patti) Flaherty has been the Aquatics Director at the Greater Waterbury YMCA since 1998, making a lasting impact on swimmers of all ages and skill levels. She oversees youth, adult, senior, and competitive swimming programs, including swim lessons, the Barracuda Swim Team, SAW Swim Week, and senior swim programs.
In addition to running top-notch aquatics programs, Patti is responsible for staff first aid and safety training and serves as an American Red Cross volunteer instructor. Her dedication to water safety and skill development has helped countless members build confidence in and around the water.
Recently promoted to Senior Director of Programs, she now oversees Wellness, Membership, and Aquatics.
Adam Dubois Outdoor Center Director
About Adam
Adam is the Outdoor Center Director and calls YMCA Camp Mataucha his home! He is no stranger to the camp world, having started in summer camp programs as a 3 year old camper in 1992! Over the course of his Y career, he has worked in multiple departments including: School Age Child Care, Teen Programs, Membership, and of course, Camp!
Adam is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Community Recreation and Youth Development. He started with the Greater Waterbury YMCA in 2017 and has grown into a major figure in the CT camping community- serving on the Connecticut Camping Association Board of Directors and as the Peer Network Leader for the Connecticut and Rhode Island Alliance of YMCAs.
When Adam is not at camp, you can find him rooting for his favorite sports teams: The New York Giants and the New York Yankees!
Alisa Brown Child Development Director
About Alisa
Alisa Brown has been an integral part of the Greater Waterbury YMCA since 2019. With an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and both a bachelor’s and master's in Psychology, Alisa brings over a decade of expertise to her role. She’s held positions as a classroom teacher, Assistant Director, and Child Development Site Director, allowing her to impact children’s lives at every stage. Alisa is deeply passionate about fostering social-emotional learning, collaboration, and championing a sense of belonging for children and adults alike. Her career is driven by a commitment to creating environments where every individual thrives.
Shavonne Arline School Age Childcare Director
About Shavonne
Shavonne was born, raised, and educated in Waterbury. Earning her Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Post University in 2011, her education laid the foundation for her career.
For 12 years, she dedicated her time and expertise as a preschool teacher at the Greater Waterbury YMCA, nurturing young minds to foster intellectual growth.
Phyllis Lucas-Coleman Child Development Site Director
plucascoleman@waterburyymca.org
About Phyllis Lucas-Coleman
Phyllis Lucas-Coleman has been a dedicated professional in the Early Childhood Education field since 2003. She earned her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2012 and went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Studies from Post University in 2018. In 2022, Phyllis transitioned into the role of Child Development Site Director, using her extensive experience as a teacher to support and empower other educators. Her ability to relate to teachers and foster their growth has made her a valued leader. Phyllis’s true passion lies in helping children thrive—whether it’s guiding them to find their voice, building their confidence, or ensuring they succeed as they navigate the world around them.
Sarah Mitchell Marketing Director
Johan Castillo Marketing Coordinator
Maria Rodriguez Membership & Wellness Director
About Maria
Maria Rodriguez is proud to call Waterbury her hometown and has been part of the YMCA family since 1999. Her journey with the Y took her to Pennsylvania, where she spent 12 years at the Blair Regional YMCA, honing her customer service skills and deepening her commitment to the Y’s mission. Now back home at the Greater Waterbury YMCA as Membership & Wellness Director, Maria is dedicated to fostering Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility in our community. Outside of work, she loves spending time with family and friends.
Edna Walton Teen Director
About Edna
Edna Walton has been working for the YMCA since 2010. She has worked in Before and After School, YMCA Camp Summer Sunshine, and Camp Mataucha. At the YMCA, she has been building relationships with children and their families. Also, Edna is a proud Waterburian and has volunteered in areas around the Greater Waterbury Community. She is passionate about mentoring our youth with her experiences.
Edna currently oversees the Youth & Teen Department, Berkeley Center, and 21st Century Program.
Rachel Walker Human Resource Assistant
About Rachel
Rachel has been part of the Greater Waterbury YMCA since 2007, taking on various roles over the years before stepping into Human Resources in 2015. She became full-time in Human Resources in 2022.
Tammie Lee Camp and Child Care Registrar
Contact Tammie about registration for all Child Care Programs as well as Care4Kids!
Zoraida Torres Administrative & Child Development Assistant
About Zory
Zoraida has been a valued part of the Greater Waterbury YMCA for 12 years, bringing warmth and efficiency to everything she does. As the Administrative & Child Development Assistant, she plays a key role in processing Financial Assistance and supporting families with registration for all child care programs and camp.
Fluent in Spanish, Zoraida ensures that all families feel welcome and supported as they navigate YMCA programs. Whether handling paperwork or assisting with families in need, she is always ready to help with a friendly smile.
Amy Miele Child Development Student Support Specialist
About Amy
Amy Miele brings 19 years of experience to the Early Childhood Education field, having started her journey in 2006. She earned her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2002 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University in 2005. Amy’s career began as a Head Teacher at the Greater Waterbury YMCA Child Development Center, where she quickly advanced to the role of Director, and later, Student Support Specialist. Amy is deeply passionate about supporting children with special needs, dedicating herself to creating personalized education plans for their success and growth. Her unwavering commitment to helping every child thrive makes her a trusted advocate in the field.
Holly Ramos Family Engagement Specialist
About Holly
Holly has been a valued member of the Greater Waterbury YMCA Child Development Center since 2012. After earning her associate’s degree in 2013 and completing her bachelor’s degree in 2019 from Charter Oak State College, Holly’s dedication to Early Childhood Education has spanned an impressive 23 years. In the last two years, she transitioned into a new role as a Family Engagement Specialist, where she has been able to make an even greater impact on both families and students. Holly’s passion lies in meeting families where they are, addressing their unique needs, and supporting their growth and success. Her commitment to building strong, meaningful connections is at the heart of everything she does.
Amber Upson Wellness Coordinator
About Amber
Amber’s journey with the Greater Waterbury YMCA began not as an employee, but as a program participant—and she knew from day one that she wanted to be part of the Y family. In 2020, she officially joined the team as a Yoga Instructor, and by 2025, she stepped into her current role as Wellness Coordinator.
Amber brings a unique blend of empathy, creativity, and servant leadership to her work. From teaching yoga to toddlers and seniors, to leading early-morning shifts on the Wellness Floor, to now leading our LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program, she is deeply committed to helping members of all ages feel strong, supported, and seen.
Her background is as dynamic as her teaching style—Amber has worked in retail, energy efficiency, the film industry, and even ran her own small business. She holds a degree in fashion design, which comes in handy whether she’s designing wellness programming or dreaming up a Halloween costume.
Olivia Dudley Waterbury Youth Services, Director of Program Operations
About Olivia
Olivia Dudley is a dedicated and accomplished human services professional, born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut, with over a decade of experience in youth development, youth advocacy, and nonprofit program leadership. She currently serves as the Director of Program Operations at Waterbury Youth Services (WYS), where she oversees agency-wide programming, supervises team leaders, and ensures that all services align with the organization’s mission and the evolving needs of the greater Waterbury community. In this role, she leads quality assurance efforts, strategic planning, and reporting for funders, while also maintaining key relationships with local partners and stakeholders.
Before assuming her current leadership position, Olivia served as the Positive Youth Development Team Leader at WYS. During her tenure, she provided oversight and coaching to program managers, coordinated trainings and workshops, led community outreach efforts, and played an instrumental role in strategic and operational planning. Her collaborative approach helped strengthen the agency’s presence in the region and improve outcomes for youth and families.
Olivia’s commitment to community engagement extends far beyond her professional role. She actively serves in leadership and advisory capacities across the region and State of Connecticut, including:
- First Vice President, Greater Waterbury Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Board Member, Connecticut Youth Services Association
- Chair, Human Services Committee, Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Leadership Greater Waterbury
- Board Member, Waterbury Exchange Club
- Board Member, Bridge To Success
- Advisory Council Member, Racial Justice Institute, Urban Community Alliance
- Steering Committee Member, United Way of Greater Waterbury Women United
Olivia earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Victimology from the University of New Haven, along with a certificate in Applications in Psychology. She has completed extensive training in youth mental health, trauma-informed care, and independent living skills, and she is certified in DCF’s Learning Inventory of Skills Training (LIST).
Throughout her career, Olivia has remained committed to creating opportunities, building partnerships, and promoting the well-being of youth and families in Connecticut, especially the youth and families in Waterbury. Her leadership is marked by integrity, vision, and a deep understanding of the systems that impact underserved communities.
Rasheeda Wright Waterbury Youth Services, Juvenile Justice Team Leader
rwright@waterburyyouthservices.org
About Rasheeda
Rasheeda Wright, LMSW received her BSW from SCSU and her MSW from UCONN. She is the Youth Diversion Team(YDT) Leader at Waterbury Youth Services and has worked with the organization for 5 years. Fun fact, Rasheeda participated in summer youth employment as a youth in the past and even interned at the agency before being hired in 2020. Rasheeda also chairs the Racial and Ethnic Disparitites Meetings that is held quarterly at the agency, is the Region 5 Youth Diversion Team Director and had chaired the agency's PromProject event for the last 4 years. Rasheeda supervises case managers in the Youth Diversion Team Program, formely known as Juvenile Review Board(JRB) and the Truancy Prevention Program. She provides supervison, trainings and evaluations for these staff. Part of her role as the Youth Diversion Team Leader is to submit reports to funders,faciliate YDT panels, process referrals, track trends and client feedback and recruit and provide oversight to volunteers. Rasheeda has recently graduated from the Waterbury's Regional Chamber Leadership of Greater Waterbury Class of 2024 and serves as a steering committee member. Rasheeda has a passion for working with youth and looks forward to gaining new tools to guide youth to achieve success.
Shenquaya Clements Waterbury Youth Services, Clinical Team Leader
Dominiqua Garry Waterbury Youth Services, Positive Youth Development Team Leader
dgarry@waterburyyouthservices.org
About Dominiqua
Dominiqua Garry is the Positive Youth Development Director at Waterbury Youth Services. Inspired by her devotion to giving back to the community she was born and raised in, working in Waterbury has always been at the forefront. Through her background in Education and Behavioral Analysis, Dominiqua is dedicated to Positive Youth Development across all levels. Overseeing the Linking Academics to Life Afterschool Program, R.E.A.L. Rising Up Mentoring, SMART Recovery, and Workforce Development, Dominiqua ensures all youth who come through the organization are seen for who they are and are given the opportunity to discover their unique talents and passions. Dominiqua has been with the organization for 3 years and prior to her current role as PYD Director, she was the Head Facilitator of the REBOOT Out of School Suspension Program at WYS, winning the Program of the Year Award in 2023.
