Meet the leadership at the YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts [formerly YWCA of Greater Lawrence]

Chief Executive Officer

Susan Staples
Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Susan had been the YWCA’s Director of Program Operations since 2014. She was instrumental in leading the agency through a period of significant changes, including a merger with YWCA Haverhill, reopening the YWCA Emergency Shelter, renovating and reopening the YWCA Haverhill Residence and assuming operations of the North Shore Rape Crisis Center in Lynn, now YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts North Shore Rape Crisis Center.

Susan supervised residential program directors and other senior staff; worked closely with the Chief Financial Officer on contract compliance and reporting, and budget forecasting and management; and worked with the Director of Advancement to obtain various grants and to procure state contracts.  With 25 years in the field, Susan is a recognized leader in Massachusetts in domestic violence and sexual assault services (DV/SA) and advocacy.  Her responsibilities as Director of Program Operations included overseeing all YWCA DV/SA programs in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Lynn, including residential programs. She also oversaw all YWCA Children and Families Services operations, which includes year-round childcare at two sites in Lawrence and one in Haverhill, and a summer day camp. Susan was also responsible for implementing a system to evaluate the skill, experience and professional development needs of all staff.  Prior to her tenure at the YWCA, Susan moved into the nonprofit sector in 1992, and worked at HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) for over a decade.  She has an undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State University, and a Master’s in Psychology and Counseling from Cambridge College.

Administrator of Children and Families Services 
Maricelis Ortiz

Director of Early Learning Center and School-Age Children’s Center
Mandy Chaput

Director of Facilities Operations & Maintenance 
Luis Martinez

Chief Financial Officer
Kathy Sherman

Director of Human Resources 
Priscilla Robinson

Director of Youth Programs
Amy De Simone