The Harrisburg Area YMCA Announces Grace Ballard as Senior Vice President of Development

The Harrisburg Area YMCA announced today that Grace Diaz Ballard will be joining the leadership staff as the new Senior Vice President of Development for the Association.

Ms. Ballard’s selection is the result of a months-long process for the Harrisburg Area YMCA that included a nationwide search for new leadership in financial development.

“On behalf of the Harrisburg Area YMCA, I am excited to welcome Grace to our YMCA,” said David Ozmore , President & CEO of the Harrisburg Area YMCA. “After months of looking for the right candidate, I truly feel we have landed on the ideal person to take the YMCA to new heights. Grace’s professionalism, positivity, and dedication to the YMCA mission are exemplary, and I am thrilled to have her on the team.”

Grace began her career with the YMCA at the YMCA of San Francisco in grant writing, securing over $1.2 million in grants during her final fiscal year in that position. She was promoted to the Director of Financial Development position, raising an impressive number of unrestricted gifts, and managing events that netted over $100,000 in annual support. She was also responsible for the oversight of over $5 million in government grants at that time.

Most recently, Grace has worked at the YMCA of Honolulu as their Director of Philanthropy, raising more than $1.33 million in unrestricted funds annually, and more than $6 million in government and private grants. Grace holds her Masters in Public Administration from George Washington University and her Bachelors in History from the University of San Francisco.

"I am truly honored to embark on this new journey with the Harrisburg Area YMCA as the Senior Vice President of Development,” said Ballard. “My experience at the YMCA of Honolulu and the mentorship that I have had has been invaluable and I am so grateful for all that I have learned. I am eager to bring my passion for community impact and philanthropy to Harrisburg and look forward to working with the team here to create lasting positive change and enhance the well-being of individuals and families throughout the Harrisburg area."

For more information, contact The Harrisburg Area YMCA at 717-307-1009 or visit YMCAHarrisburg.org.