Charlene Ventura to Retire As YWCA President & CEO

CINCINNATI, Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After 40 years at the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, Charlene Ventura announced today that she will retire as President & CEO effective August 1, 2015. She has led the organization for 26 years.

The YWCA Board has convened a committee that will work in conjunction with a third-party firm to conduct a nationwide search for a new President & CEO who can carry on Ventura's legacy. Ventura has committed to stay on until a replacement is hired and has transitioned into the role.

Ventura has dedicated her life to the YWCA's guiding mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. In the late 1960s, she fought on the front lines of the women's movement for equal rights. She joined the YWCA in 1974 as a part-time public relations director and later became development director and associate executive director. In 1988, she was promoted to executive director, and soon after was named President & CEO.

Under Ventura's leadership, the YWCA's work for the women and children of Cincinnati has been nothing short of groundbreaking, bringing domestic violence awareness to the forefront of community issues.

In a letter to employees and donors today, Ventura reflected on her tenure, saying, "Working with you as President & CEO of the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati has been the most satisfying and rewarding experience of my professional life. Our successes are the result of the extraordinary talents and the dedication of so many: our amazing staff, board members, donors and volunteers, the support from public and community leaders, and the remarkable community we serve."

She went on to share a few of her proudest accomplishments, saying: 

• "We played a pioneering role in raising the issue of domestic violence and providing advocacy, leadership and major services to help women and their families deal with the devastating issue of violence against women. We have helped thousands and thousands of women and children through our programs.
• "We have continued our proud legacy of the economic empowerment of women through workforce development services and recognition and leadership programs. We have served women at every stage of the socioeconomic system — from women struggling with poverty to women breaking the glass ceiling.
• "We have stayed steadfast in our commitment to promoting racial justice through everything we do, and have been recognized for our innovative programs and unwavering leadership.
• "We have preserved our historic downtown headquarters building and established domestic violence shelter facilities designed to respect the dignity of the women we serve.
• "We have remained fiscally responsible and financially viable despite economic downturns."

Over the years, Ventura has overseen the addition of countless YWCA programs and services, among them the Academy of Career Women and the Rising Stars program. By connecting leading businesswomen with local women who wish to give back and better themselves, these programs prime the next generation of women leaders for success. The YWCA also works with teens, having launched local chapters of the national program Rosie's Girls and a local scholarship program for African-American senior high school students. Under her leadership, the YWCA Women's Art Gallery was established and has presented over 350 national, regional and local women artists.

"Charlene has been a fabulous leader in that she stays ahead of the curve and responds to women's changing needs," said Nancy Lawson, YWCA Board Chair. "She will leave the YWCA financially viable with innovative, meaningful and robust programs that will continue to carry out the mission of the YWCA. Although Charlene will be impossible to replace, I am confident that the board will select a new leader who will carry on the important mission of the YWCA."

In her current role, Ventura oversees a YWCA staff of 127 employees and a budget of over $6 million. She serves on the Junior League Advisory Committee, the Human Services Planning Committee of Hamilton County Job & Family Services, the Board of National Associations of YWCA Executives, and the We Lead Advisory Committee (Chamber of Commerce).

Over the past 40 years, she has been honored nationally and locally for her tireless commitment to helping women and children. Awards include Women's eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century; Ohio Women's Hall of Fame; Presidents Award of the Public Relations Society of America; Women Who Dared Award from the National Council of Jewish Women; Chamber of Commerce We Celebrate Award as Woman of the Year – Non profit; the Urban League's Phenomenal Woman Award; National Trends & Service Award from the Links and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount St. Joseph University.

In her retirement, Ventura says she plans to spend more time with her family and friends and to pursue personal goals, but adds that she will always work in some way to empower women and promote racial justice.

About the YWCA:

The YWCA, the largest women's organization in the world, is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The Greater Cincinnati YWCA has been serving the community for 146 years. The YWCA serves more than 35,000 women and their families each year through programs in crisis intervention, health and wellness, education and training, youth services, and recognition and advocacy. For more information call the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-7090 or visit ywcacincinnati.org.

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SOURCE YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

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