Caleb Cooper will be the new Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City beginning October 9.
The Y selected Cooper following a nationwide search. Cooper brings more than 20 years of experience from Ys across the country. Most recently he was the Vice President of Equity and Belonging for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads.
In his previous roles, Cooper successfully led more than 14 different YMCA locations, raised more than $2 million dollars to benefit marginalized communities, created a diversity, equity and inclusion department from the ground up, and rebranded six Ys as Health Equity Campuses.
As COO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, Cooper is a key member of the executive leadership team focused on supporting the association vision and setting the strategy and direction for all operations and programs throughout the Y’s service area. Cooper will be responsible for leading and directing a comprehensive and complex array of services and programs that focus on the areas of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility in the 11 membership centers and more than 90 before and after school programs and summer day camps in 14 school districts. He will also provide leadership for the Marketing and Communications team.
Mark Hulet, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City since July, previously served as Chief Operating Officer.
“The energy and experience Caleb brings will benefit our team and our community,” Hulet said. “His success at other Ys and background in diversity, equity and inclusion will be invaluable as he leads our team through our strategic plan goals and identifies ways our Y can best serve the community into the future.”
“I look forward to being a resource to associates, volunteers and community stakeholders in the greater Kansas City area in my new role,” Cooper said. “The Kansas City Y is a leader among Ys across the country, and the future is bright to continue impactful work here and innovate to serve the greatest needs of the community.”
Cooper has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (Human Resources). His volunteer work has included serving as a board member for Rotary, Exchange Clubs, Sentara College of Health Sciences, Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion Consortium, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Outside of work, Cooper enjoys golf, coaching soccer, fishing and spending time with his family, which includes his wife Crystal and their children Carter, 13, and Cali, 10.
