We're excited to introduce you to all of the new faces at the Mel Korum Family YMCA! A lot has changed over the past few months but rest assured knowing our diverse staff are seasoned vets of the Y and capable of ensuring the best possible experience for you.
Kyle Eggenberger, Executive Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 8 years
- Which Y you worked at prior to Mel Korum: I have worked at the Bremerton, Lakewood and Gordon Family YMCA’s
- What do you love most about the work you do: Every day is an adventure. I love that every day brings new opportunities to make a positive impact on our members' lives. My hope is that no matter what is going on outside of the Y, that our members feel welcomed, safe, and cared for and leave our community center feeling better than they entered with their Spirit, Mind, and Body. Personally, I love that we have an opportunity to do what John Wooden said: “make each day your masterpiece.”
Beverly Eredia, Senior Aquatics Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 20 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: I love the Y’s mission in action and am so grateful to be able to be a part of a team strengthening our community in spirit, mind, and body!
Bri Kidd, Senior Member Services Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 5 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: I enjoy getting to build a community for our members and staff team. It’s a place for everyone to belong.
Gae Dougherty, Senior Health and Well-Being Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 13 years
- Tell us about your time at the Y: I joined the Lakewood Y in 1995 and soon began volunteering as a swim instructor. When the Mel Korum Y was under construction my family enthusiastically signed up as Charter members and showed up on opening day. I volunteered in the Mission department, Summer Day Camp as well as in Homeschool PE. In 2007, I started coaching gymnastics, which lead to my becoming the Gymnastics Director later that year. I transitioned to the Health and Well- being (Adult) department in 2009 and have loved the opportunities to grow and learn with this amazing community. Each day as I enter the Y, I experience the sense of being involved in meaningful work. I am also reminded of the great privilege it is to serve our members on a journey toward healthier living; mind, body and spirit.
Jake Irish, Senior Youth Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 8 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: I love that our association is based on inclusion. It is always a great feeling to be able to find a way to say “yes” to families and to allow kids in our community the opportunity to take part in our programs and build relationships with friends and mentors. Our inclusion-based approach is something that constantly makes me excited to come to work each day.
Robert Hammond, Facilities Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 14 Years
- What do you love most about the work you do: Being able to provide a safe place for staff and members and being able to move the branch forward to the next upgrade.
Britney Johnson, Health and Well-Being Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 4.5 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: I love the opportunity to be a bright spot in someone’s day and to help them feel empowered!
Cassandra Soria, Youth Program Director
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 8 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: What I love most about my work is the impact I get to make on people's lives and the impact they have on me that they don't realize. I value what I do and enjoy getting to spread the love of Gymnastics around to all kids while also encouraging them to keep active. I get to teach them not only gymnastics but also important life lessons.
Donald McHugh, Facilities
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 1.5 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: Interacting with people and keeping the facility functioning.
Erlina Bias, Custodial
- How long you’ve worked for the Y: 25 years
- What do you love most about the work you do: The staff and members are very caring and make me feel like family.
Sandi Rose, Aquatics Director
- How long you've worked for the Y: 10 years
- Fun Fact: My journey with Y started about 20 years ago as a mom of 5 boys.
We chose the Y as our “family” place. My sons grew up playing Youth Sports, Swimming, taking Martial Arts classes and even dabbling in some Boys Gymnastics. I became more involved as a volunteer, teaching swim lessons, with the Homeschool PE Program about 10 years ago. I loved teaching lessons so much, which as my kids got older; I thought it would be amazing to become an actual staff member. How cool would it be to do something I enjoyed, make a little money, and give back to my community all at the same time?