Zdunek Returns as YMCA CEO
The Latest from Marquette, MI by Brian Cabell
A MAJOR SURPRISE at the Marquette County YMCA. Jenna Zdunek, the former CEO of the Y who resigned her post two months ago to take a job with the YMCA of the USA, has reversed course. She’s coming back to the local YMCA.
“Coming back to the YMCA feels like coming home,” she explains. “This place, and the people in it, have had such a huge impact on my life — not just professionally, but personally. I’m beyond grateful to return and keep building something meaningful with our team and community I truly care about. It’s not just a job — it’s a calling, and I’m ready to give it my all.”
Zdunek has been an employee of the YMCA since 2001, and once she became CEO in 2016, she helped guide the organization out of bankruptcy. It had been facing a $7 million debt due to the overly ambitious expansion of facilities, programs and staffing by the previous administration.
It emerged from bankruptcy in 2019, and ever since, the organization has been extremely careful in its budgeting.
The Y is planning to start building a fully-funded field house this year, and Zdunek will now be there to oversee the construction.
“Sometimes the best path forward is the one that leads us home,” says a delighted Amanda Specker, the Board President. “Jenna returns not just with experience, but with renewed energy and a heart for service that inspires us all.”
No time to waste for Zdunek. She returns to work on Friday (April 18th).
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“There’s nothing wrong with coming back, the Sun does it every day.”
—Lamine Pearlheart
Your quotes are always right on; thinking of the one you had for Beth Milner, and now this one for Jenna. Glad she will be back, as I feel the same way about the people who live here!