[NEW BEDFORD, MA, May 8, 2025]— YMCA Southcoast proudly announces the appointment of Lucria Ortiz as the new President & CEO, effective June 2, 2025. Following an extensive national search, supported by YMCA of the USA, Ortiz was chosen by YMCA Southcoast’s Board of Directors and Search Committee to succeed Interim CEO, Debbie Fringuelli, who led the organization in tandem with continuing her role as Senior Executive Director of the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham.
“In our search for a new President & CEO, we conducted a nationwide search from which Ortiz emerged as the standout choice. Her experience strongly supports our goals around philanthropy, creating safe supportive spaces for youth and teens, broadening the reach of our food insecurity efforts within the Full Plate Project and Sharing the Harvest Community Farm, and providing access to healthy living resources for all community members,” said Arthur DeAscentis, Board Chair. “Her energy and visionary approach align seamlessly with our goals at YMCA Southcoast. With Ortiz’s proven multi-sector experience, we are confident that YMCA Southcoast will thrive under her leadership for years to come,” said Search Committee Chair, David Tatelbaum.
Ortiz brings 20 plus years of invaluable experience in the legal, government, and nonprofit sectors, recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Opportunity Network, a national college and career access organization, and President & CEO of the Yonkers Family YMCA. While the CEO of the Yonkers Family YMCA, she launched the Y’s first in the nation Peacemobile, a violence prevention and outreach mobile unit focused on delivering wellness and youth programming. Ortiz excels in fundraising, securing millions of dollars over her career for transformative programs focused on youth development, food insecurity, violence prevention, and capital projects. She believes strongly in the power the Y holds to uplift everyone. She relocates to the Southcoast after ten years serving New York and New Jersey YMCA communities. Originally from Connecticut, Ortiz holds a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University. YMCA Southcoast eagerly anticipates a new era of growth and community impact under Lucria’s visionary guidance.
“I’m humbled and honored to join this incredible community and lead an organization with such a strong history of service,” said Ortiz. “As I make this transition, I’m excited to work alongside dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners. I look forward to getting to know many, it takes a community working deeply together to help people thrive.”