West Essex YMCA Names Associate Director

By: Mollie Shauger | Tuesday, May 30, 2023 | Leadership

Lisa Sheafer

LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA has selected Lisa Sheafer as its new Associate Executive Director, responsible for leading the daily operations of the branch and its staff, and working alongside District Executive Director Cheryl Tuturice to grow membership and enhance programs and services that uphold the Y’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Sheafer succeeds Joanne Browne, who is now serving as Executive Director at the Wayne YMCA. 

Sheafer, of Florham Park, has worked for the West Essex Y for the past three years and has been serving as Interim Associate Executive Director since March. She has worked for the Y for a total of 15 years, mostly in senior leadership roles, with experience managing child care, camp, and membership and adult programs. 

“I’m honored to be able to continue serving the West Essex community in a new capacity,” Sheafer said. “As a parent and a Y staff member, I’ve seen the positive impact programs like Y camp have on kids and families, and I’m fortunate I get to work to grow this impact!”

Sheafer was previously Senior Director of Youth Development at West Essex, focusing on management of all youth programs including Summer Camp, School Age Child Care and the Y’s Peanut Shell Early Childhood Learning Center. 

Before joining the West Essex Y, she oversaw youth and family programs at the Wayne Y including White Pines summer day camp, which under her leadership earned accreditation by the American Camp Association for its adherence to high standards of excellence.

Prior to joining the Metro YMCA of the Oranges in 2016, she worked for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County, Florida for six years, holding roles as Youth Development Director, Associate Membership Director, and Special Needs Coordinator. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

Lisa and her husband, Brian, who is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Metro YMCA of the Oranges, have two elementary age children, Mila and Maddox. Both kids attended Peanut Shell and have grown up going to Y summer camps. She is grateful that her family has had the opportunity to be part of such a diverse, welcoming community that surrounds the Y.

As the Y gears up for another exciting summer camp season, the behind-the-scenes work to help plan and hire and train staff isn't just part of the job; it’s also personal to Sheafer. She has witnessed how camp has influenced her kids' growth, especially her son, whom she noted had a more reserved personality. “Maddox flourishes in camp. Camp has taught him independence and confidence to be a leader,” she said. 

Sheafer is working on plans to bring back the Y’s La Vida Deliciosa community nutrition and fitness program for Hispanic families with low incomes in West Orange, in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health and West Orange this year. She also steps into the Associate Director role as the Y develops plans to build a brand new, state-of-the-art facility on the former Grace Lutheran Church property.

“With her extensive leadership experience and substantial contributions over her Y career, Lisa is poised to help strengthen our mission and serve our members in new and impactful ways,” said Cheryl Tuturice, District Executive Director at the West Essex Y.

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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.