Here’s one that surprised me — The YMCA of Southern Arizona.
There are a lot of old-time perceptions of what a YMCA facility is — a gym, swimming pool, dented metal lockers and free weights.
After spending time with Kurtis Dawson, President/CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona, I can tell you with no hesitation that these old-school perceptions are wrong.
Scale and scope
First off, the YMCA of Southern Arizona is an impressive operation. There are 4 full facility branches and 3 program sites throughout Southern Arizona, plus the Triangle Y Ranch Camp in Oracle and eight school-based sites. Serving over 23,000 members with a staff that swells from 250 in winter to over 350 in summer, the organization manages an annual revenue exceeding $10 million.
Modern facilities, diverse programs
Since celebrating its centennial in 2014, the Y has continued to transform. The recent $6 million renovation of the Lohse Family Downtown YMCA marks one of its most significant advances. Under Dawson’s leadership, the facility has been reimagined as a bright, welcoming space designed to foster community interaction — reflecting the spirit of its membership.
The renovated facility rivals any modern fitness center, featuring a 6-lane lap pool, specialized exercise rooms for Zumba, yoga, and dance, TRX equipment, boxing facilities, cycling areas, basketball courts, racquetball, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment (with lots of free weights). As Dawson notes, “Quality drives our success.”
The Lohse Family YMCA is another jewel in the crown of downtown Tucson.
Youth-focused mission
But fitness is just one aspect of the Y’s mission. With 40% of members under 20 years old, the organization prioritizes youth development through early learning programs, before/after school care, and teen leadership initiatives. Dawson’s belief is that zip code does not dictate future. The modern Y is a pillar in the community for kids, challenging, encouraging, and supporting them to learn and grow. During my visit, I watched numerous families stream in, from parents with young children to those with teenagers — a living testament to their family-first philosophy.
Business-minded leadership
Dawson brings a distinctive management approach to his role. While the Y operates as a nonprofit, he views the 501©(3) designation as merely a tax status. A quote from Harvard Business School Professor Herman “Dutch” Leonard hangs in his office: “The central challenge of leadership in nonprofit organizations is that mediocrity is survivable.”
Dawson counters this challenge with a for-profit mentality. He recognizes that fitness is one of their primary draws, and they have significant competition in that arena. The quality of what they offer keeps them ahead of the competition.
His management style reflects his culinary hobby — like a chef tasting throughout the cooking process, he maintains constant quality control while empowering his team. He hires talented individuals and empowers them with necessary resources, all the while tracking progress with a dashboard-style management approach. Perhaps most notably, he considers himself “100% replaceable” — a perspective that drives his commitment to excellence.
Community impact
Paraphrasing from the organization’s 100th Anniversary tribute publication, the YMCA of Southern Arizona has served Tucson children and families since 1914.
As a cause-driven charitable organization, the Y is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Kurtis’ team is totally focused on delivering these promises. They bring all walks of life together, building a community. Like the tagline for the YMCA, Kurtis and his team are committed to “So Much More.”
