YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts is excited to announce the additional promotions of three long-standing YWCA leaders to support Maricelis Ortiz in her new Chief Executive Officer role. Maricelis, who served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer for two years, is now the Chief Executive Director and is confident that the promotion of Arelis Huertas, Luis Martinez, and Kathy Ruiz to Deputy Directors has created the ideal executive leadership team to guide the YWCA into its next chapter.
All three team members bring a wealth of experience to their roles, having been with the YWCA for a combined 60+ years. Their deep understanding of the organization’s mission, paired with decades of experience supporting the most vulnerable populations and survivors of intimate partner violence, will continue to drive the YWCA’s vital work in the Merrimack Valley.
Arelis Huertas has been supporting survivors with the YWCA for the last 18 years and will now serve as the Deputy Director of Survivor Support and Housing Stability. Arelis is proud to be part of an organization that works diligently to assist survivors along their healing journeys. She shared, “This is done through an array of services and partnerships. We assist with advocacy, navigating systems, counseling, lobbying, education, and prevention efforts.”
Luis Martinez has one of the longest tenures at the YWCA—23 years—and will now serve as the Deputy Director of Facilities Management and Operations. Luis is looking forward to continuing his service to all programs and families that the YWCA supports throughout the year. “I enjoy being part of a team that ensures all families and survivors have what they need most—safety,” he said.
Kathy Ruiz has been working with children and families at the YWCA for over 21 years, and even longer in the early education field. She began as a coordinator and over the years became the site director for one of the YWCA’s afterschool programs and summer camp. When asked what she loves most about working with children, she said, “Oh, there is a lot… I can’t pick just one.”
The YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts serves more than 25 community programs across Essex County, helping thousands of women, children, and families. The newly updated executive leadership team looks forward to furthering the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism through advocacy, support, and outreach.