Newton YMCA CEO Lucas Hughes steps down

In a letter addressed to Newton residents on June 19, Newton YMCA CEO Lucas Hughes announced with heartfelt gratitude that he will be stepping down from his leadership role in one-in-a-half months and he will be returning to his hometown of Shenandoah to take over his family’s business.

“My time at the Newton YMCA has been an incredibly fulfilling journey,” he said. “This community has welcomed me with open arms, and I have grown to deeply care for and love the people here. The support and dedication I have witnessed from our members, staff and volunteers have been nothing short of inspiring.”

Hughes remarked that the YMCAand the community have achieved remarkable milestones over his five years as CEO, including the implementation of a solar panel sustainability project and the efforts to expand childcare capacity that doubled the number of children the YMCA can support.

Membership at the YMCA has increased significantly, too, Hughes said, and the organization’s annual giving has seen substantial growth, allowing it to provide more assistance to those in need. The YMCA also established essential partnerships with the Newton school district and the city.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Hughes said in his letter. “The Newton YMCA is more than just a place; it is a cornerstone of our community, a place where individuals of all ages come to improve their health, connect with others and find support.”

While Hughes is excited about his new chapter in Shenandoah, leaving Newton is bittersweet. But he is confident the YMCA will continue to thrive.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your CEO,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the Newton YMCA.”

Hughes was first hired as the CEO of Newton YMCA in January 2020, following the retirement of Frank Buckley. Prior to being CEO, he served as director of operations at the YMCA since 2017. During his tenure, he executed significant initiatives to improve the YMCA.