West Cook YMCA Names Interim CEO

Martha Rolf, who has served in leadership positions in four Illinois YMCAs over the past 30 years, has been named Interim CEO of the West Cook YMCA. She succeeds Jan Pate, who resigned as CEO last month. 

Rolf retired earlier this month from the Rock River Valley YMCA, Rockford where she served initially as Director of Northeast Branch.  Subsequently, during a six-year career with the Rock River Valley YMCA, she was Chief Operating Officer, Director of Human Relations and most recently, Chief Development Officer.  In the latter capacity Rolf coordinated all aspects of successful annual campaigns and special fund-raising events and assisted in the launch of a 10-year $20 million capital campaign.

Earlier in her career, Rolf spent 15 years as Executive Director/CEO of the Dixon Illinois YMCA, where she was responsible for board development, annual and capital campaigns and all aspects of organizational leadership.  Under her leadership, the Dixon Y’s program and membership quadrupled to 4,900 members and attained a 76 percent retention rate.

Earlier in her career, Rolf was a Senior Program Director at the Heritage Group YMCA in Naperville where she administered Youth, Family and Aquatics programs and later managed the Membership department of the 6,000 member Y. 

A native of DeKalb, Illinois, Rolf earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Augustana College. She holds Organizational Leader Certification with the YMCA of the USA.

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to continue my service to the YMCA and to draw on my experience to assist the West Cook YMCA address its immediate priorities.  The West Cook YMCA has a strong history of service and I look forward to working closely with the board, staff and volunteers of the West Cook YMCA during this interim period,” Rolf said.

“I’m very impressed by the many collaborative and cooperative partnerships that have been forged in recent years between the West Cook YMCA and other community organizations,” Rolf added.

“We’re very appreciative of Martha’s willingness to join us as Interim CEO at the West Cook YMCA as we continue to inspire and impact the lives of the all who reside in the ten west suburban communities we serve,” said David Phelps, West Cook YMCA board chair.

The West Cook YMCA board of directors is engaged in a national search for a permanent CEO, which it expects to complete by mid-year 2014, Phelps said.