LAWRENCE — Nonprofit leader and Lawrence native Lorie Mendoza has joined the Merrimack Valley YMCA as the executive director of the Lawrence Branch.
Mendoza comes to the Y with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and youth and family advocacy.
“Lorie’s experience makes her uniquely qualified to not only lead our Lawrence Branch, but take this branch to the next level to meet our strategic goal of becoming a family hub, a true third space for families and individuals to find community, belonging and enrichment,” said Francis J. Kenneally III, Merrimack Valley YMCA President and CEO. “Not only does Lorie have the right experience, she is a true Lawrencian – a lifelong resident – who understands the needs of this city.”
Mendoza has dedicated her career to strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for young people and families. Throughout her work in the nonprofit and social impact sectors, she has built strong partnerships, secured resources, and developed programs that support underserved communities and amplify local voices.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as Executive Director of the Lawrence branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA and to be the first Latina to hold this position,” Mendoza said. “As someone born and raised in Lawrence, my commitment to the youth and families of this city is deeply personal, and I am proud to lead an organization whose mission centers on strengthening community and creating opportunities for all.
Mendoza said she looks forward to working with staff, partners, and residents “to ensure the YMCA continues to be a place where young people feel supported, families feel connected, and our community can thrive.”
Most recently, she served as community relations manager for the Nordson Corporation Foundation, where she worked closely with nonprofit partners to advance community impact through grantmaking, collaboration, and corporate philanthropy.
Earlier in her career, Mendoza held leadership roles with organizations focused on youth development and family support, including Si, Se Puede Inc., Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, YWCA of Greater Lawrence, and Massachusetts Mentor.
In her role as Executive Director of Si, Se Puede she led efforts to expand programming and support youth and families in one of Lawrence’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Deeply committed to civic leadership, Mendoza is the founder of AltaMar Foundation Inc., a community giving circle dedicated to advancing equity in the nonprofit sector and supporting the next generation of women in philanthropy. She currently serves on several nonprofit boards and remains an active advocate for community collaboration and opportunity.
The Lawrence YMCA serves hundreds of children, teens and adults daily and is home to 70 men in its single room occupancy housing, while also providing child care for more than 200 toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children.