New Rye YMCA CEO Murphy Starts July 5th
The new Rye YMCA CEO Sabrina Murphy will start work on Tuesday, July 5th. Murphy arrives in Rye after 22 years with the Bath, Maine YMCA including the last 12 years as its first female CEO.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Sabrina to the Rye Y,” said Board President Jon Elsen. “Sabrina is an outstanding leader with a strong record of success and she has demonstrated a firm commitment to the mission of the Y.”
The Y initiated a nationwide search when former CEO Gregg Howells announced his retirement in February after 26 years of leading the Rye YMCA and 39 years in the Y organization. Howells has retired to Rhode Island, where he and his family have maintained a summer home.
Murphy will lead the Y into a new chapter, overseeing its new second facility, The Studios at the Rye YMCA, as well as a new strategic plan, and a growing child care program. She will also become the first woman CEO in the 108-year history of the Rye YMCA.
“The Rye Y has a stellar reputation in the YMCA movement,” Murphy commented. “I’m looking forward to joining its wonderful team and building on the organization’s long history of impact and success.”
Raised in Western New York, Murphy worked as a high school Language Arts teacher before finding her passion for youth work at the YMCA. Most of her 33-year career with the YMCA has been spent with YMCAs in midcoastal Maine.
Time in Maine
Murphy joined the Bath, Maine YMCA 22 years ago and became its first female CEO in 2010. She raised over five million dollars to further the Y’s mission and make its services available to all, regardless of income. In 2016, she led the organization through the purchase and development of a second branch, the Landing YMCA in Brunswick. Collectively the two branches employ over 120 individuals and provide services to 14 midcoastal communities.
Through her leadership, the Y forged relationships with community partners to develop programs in quality accredited childcare, public Pre-K, and evidence-based health initiatives such as Livestrong at the Y, Rock Steady Boxing and the Diabetes Prevention Program.
During the pandemic, she and her team shifted priorities to provide emergency childcare, host blood drives and offer grab-and-go meals for children. The Y’s diversity task force, year-round food program and mobile Veggie Van, which serves thousands of meals in summer, were initiated under her tenure.
“Sabrina has provided outstanding leadership, not only to the Y but to the entire midcoastal community. The Y’s rapid response to Covid, providing childcare for essential workers and food for children out of school, stands out as one profound example,” said Barbara Reinertsen, executive director of the United Way of Mid Coast Maine.
“We will miss Sabrina and the strength and compassion of her leadership. She’s leaving the with a solid foundation, fresh strategic plan, and the momentum to continue to meet the community’s needs as we move ahead,” said Marty Lakeman, Bath Area Family YMCA president.
Family
Murphy has a 25-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter. She and her partner, David, are passionate about living a healthy, organic lifestyle and enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, gardening and cooking. Like the Howells, Murphy and her family will live in house in Rye provided by the YMCA.
“While I’ll miss my colleagues at the Bath Area YMCA, I’m excited about continuing my Y career at such a thriving and dynamic Y,” Murphy added. “Between the new Y Studios and the Y’s beloved main facility, we’re going to help more people than ever achieve their health and wellness goals.”
