Wayne YMCA Names New Executive Director

By: Mollie Shauger | Friday, May 5, 2023 | Leadership

Joanne Browne

WAYNE, NJ - The Wayne YMCA has appointed Joanne Browne to serve as its newest Executive Director, succeeding Laura Tiedge, who stepped down in March after six years as head of the Y. Browne took the helm on April 1 after a short stint as Interim Executive Director and was previously Associate Director of the Wayne Y’s sister branch, the West Essex YMCA.

As Executive Director, she will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of all major operations, staff, facility and financial management, as well as setting the strategic vision and direction for the branch. She will work closely with District Executive Director Cheryl Tuturice and the Board of Managers to advance the Y’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, and develop programming that enhances the community. 

“I'm honored to take on this role and I look forward to working with the staff, District Executive Director and our Board to advance our mission and develop quality programming that best serves our members and community," she said. 

Some of the areas she will immediately focus on will be hiring qualified staff to fill vacancies such as the Competitive Swim Director role, strengthening signature community partnerships to benefit members and the community, and highlighting unique programs and opportunities for volunteerism available at the Y. 

Browne comes aboard as the Wayne Y prepares to go through the re-accreditation process for its White Pines summer day camp, a voluntary compliance process to ensure the camp meets the highest standards of quality set by the American Camping Association. Browne has experience in the process in her past roles as camp director, but she is also a volunteer accreditation visitor herself with the ACA, traveling to other camps each year to evaluate whether they meet the standards for accreditation. 

Browne served as Associate Executive Director at West Essex Y for three years, overseeing all aspects of operations, and playing a key role in the Y’s response to the pandemic in 2020. After the Y reopened in 2020 to new health and safety protocols following a six-month shutdown, the Y’s membership quickly bounced back under her leadership, becoming the first branch in the Metro Y association to exceed pre-pandemic membership by the end of 2022.

Prior to that, she was Senior Director of School Age Child Care and Camp for 10 years at West Essex Y. In her role, she was responsible for overseeing more than 1,000 students in 14 before/after school programs, and in charge of the Y's accredited Pioneer Trails Day Camp. 

She started working for the Metro Y in 2000 through an international education internship program, before becoming Program Director at the Sussex County Y where she managed off-site Aquatics, School Age Child Care and Youth Sports program areas, prior to the opening of the Hardyston facility. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and has lived in Germany, England and Scotland. 

"We are excited for Joanne to be in this new role. She has worked for the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges for more than 20 years, and in each of her previous roles she has excelled and we expect the same here in Wayne,” said Ed Philipp, Sr. VP and Chief Operating Officer at the Metro YMCA of the Oranges.

“Joanne brings a wealth of experience in growing membership, volunteerism, and programs, while ensuring quality experiences for members and participants. I’m confident the Y will thrive under her leadership and remain a core community center in Wayne,” said Cheryl Tuturice, District Executive Director for Wayne and West Essex Ys.

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ABOUT THE Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.