Eric Williams on the Keys to Lasting Impact in Community Recreation

Eric Williams on the Keys to Lasting Impact in Community Recreation

Eric Williams, the former executive director of the Wayman Palmer branch at the YMCA of Greater Toledo, reflects on his 31-year YMCA career across rec centers from around the country, highlighting his roots in community recreation outreach and gang intervention work. He shares how early mentors shaped his leadership and helped him launch impactful programs, including a computer access initiative for youth. Willams also traces the sector’s shift from deep, relationship-based outreach toward membership-driven models, noting while financial sustainability is necessary, outreach has suffered. He identifies funding as the biggest challenge facing nonprofit recreation centers today, with declining United Way and government dollars and intense competition among local nonprofits. Despite these pressures, Williams emphasizes listening to communities, building strong networks, mentoring young professionals, and leading with passion and genuine care as the keys to lasting impact in community recreation. Enjoy!

Wendy White on How the AI Advantage is in the Data

In episode 32, Wendy White, the chief marketing and partner officer at Daxko, details that despite the buzz around AI, there’s one thing most people aren’t talking about — AI doesn’t create insight from nothing. It learns from the data your platform has been collecting over time. So, the better and longer a platform has been tracking member behavior, program participation and payment patterns for organizations, the smarter its AI is. This episode assists nonprofit leaders with understanding what data depth actually means for AI outcomes, and what questions they should be asking their technology partners. As one of the leading voices on AI adoption in the health and wellness space, White brings both the strategic perspective and the practical expertise to make this a conversation nonprofit leaders can actually learn from. Enjoy!

Marty Haberer on the Bold Campus Renovation of the Levis JCC

In Episode 31, Marty Haberer, the president and CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, discusses a major campus reinvention centered on a new 22,000-square-foot facility with 9,000 square feet of outdoor space, including plans for an amphitheater and playground. The project stems from a strategic property swap of the JCC’s 100-acre campus and a successful $9.4 million fundraising effort. Demolition began on April 1 and reopening is targeted for November 2026. Haberer also details the JCC’s strategic exit from traditional fitness due to local country club and gym popularity, while still maintaining a focus on wellness, culture, summer camp and preschool. He emphasizes thoughtful, data-driven planning — “ready, aim, fire” — and inclusive leadership engagement for any major capital project. Enjoy!

Erica Barnes on Elevating Inclusive Family Programming to Maximize Retention

In episode 30, Erica Barnes, the director of business development at NinjaZone, details about challenges and opportunities facing community recreation centers. Specifically, she explains demand from families is strong, but many centers struggle to align with what they truly want — high-quality, affordable and inclusive family programming that engages all ages. She argues marketing is often blamed unfairly, and the real issues are program quality, retention and staff engagement, including continuous staff education. Barnes outlines best practices she sees among successful centers: offering kids programs that demonstrate visible progress, creating programming that genuinely appeals to children and making operations easier so staff aren’t constantly scrambling to fill schedules. She highlights a major industry trend toward non-traditional, inclusive activities serving kids who aren’t drawn to traditional sports. NinjaZone fits this shift by providing inclusive family programming plus a comprehensive support system. They tailor implementations to each center’s goals and spaces, from racquetball courts to aquatic viewing areas. Barnes’ key advice is to start thoughtfully, choose partners carefully, plan long term and avoid last-minute program launches that burden staff. Watch the podcast now for expert advice from an industry thought leader. Enjoy!

Andrew Page on Effective Staff Management in Community Rec

In episode 29, Andrew Page, the president and CEO of the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA shares how to cultivate a productive workforce that thrives through effective staff management strategies. In today’s fast-paced world, staffing is crucial, especially in community-focused organizations like rec centers. Page details his YMCA’s strategies for fostering a positive workplace culture and retaining dedicated employees. Whether you’re a leader in the recreation industry or looking to improve your organizational practices, this conversation will provide valuable guidance. Enjoy!