Association Leadership

 

Stephen S. Dahlin

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Stephen Dahlin's first exposure to a YMCA was in his teens at a center where his dad was involved. Two years later, he joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago as a camp counselor for Camp Ravenswood, where he worked during the summers from 1964-1969. After that position, he served as program director for Park Ridge YMCA through 1978. From that point on, Steve worked in numerous executive director positions for various YMCAs, including the YMCA of Governors State University and Aquacenter in the far south suburbs, West Communities YMCA, Elmhurst YMCA, and Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines. In 1997, Steve became founding executive director of Foglia YMCA in Lake Zurich where he remained until 2001.

 

That same year, Steve was appointed vice president of suburban operations and his role was expanded to senior vice president of operations and camps in 2002. The following year, he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

 

In his current role, Steve ensures the mission of the Y is delivered by recruiting knowledgeable staff, responding to changes in the community and committing the necessary resources to address each community's specific needs. Steve also guides the Y's $90 million operating budget. As part of the organization's senior management team, he helps shape the vision of the organization, both short-term and long-term.

 

Steve attended Elmhurst College, majoring in business, and received the YMCA senior director certification program in 1978. He completed the Kellogg School of Management Executive Scholar Program and was awarded a Certificate of Professional Achievement in Nonprofit Management.