Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA Names New Chief Executive Officer

Print Story | Email Story

BECKET, Mass. — The Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA has named Amy Hurwitz Gutschenritter as its new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1.

Selected by the board of trustees following a six month national search, Gutschenritter will be responsible for overseeing Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA's four programs: Camp Becket, Chimney Corners Camp, Travel and Service Programs, and the Berkshire Outdoor Center. Over the next year, Gutschenritter and her senior leadership team, along with the Board of Trustees, will develop an updated strategic plan and master site plan.

Gutschenritter served most recently as interim CEO; she was on the board for 16 years, including as chair of the Board of Trustees, at Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. She will be the first female CEO in BCCYMCA's 100-plus years of existence.

"During our search for a new CEO, we looked at candidates from across the country.  Amy Gutschenritter stood out. Her energy, dedication, and vision for the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA is exactly what we are looking for in a leader," Search Committee Chair Friday Abernethy said. "Amy's understanding of the organization is deep; she is an alumna, former summer staff member, co-chaired the successful Changing Lives Campaign, and she served on the Board of Trustees for 16 years, including as Board Chair. Additionally, Amy’s children, Libby and Matthew, have collectively spent over 25 summers at the BCCYMCA as participants and leaders."



With more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive at global financial institutions, Gutschenritter has served in leadership positions in strategy, client management, operations, technology and marketing/communications.

"I am honored to lead the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA," Gutschenritter said. "Like so many others, Becket-Chimney Corners has had a meaningful impact on my life and the lives of my children. It was important to me to give back as a Board member and I now look forward to leading the team as we chart the course forward to ensure our relevance and impact for generations to come."

A graduate of Tufts University, Gutschenritter also earned her MBA from Bentley University. She enjoyed a successful career in financial services, including as head of Global Client Relations for SIX Securities Services and senior vice president, Global Operations, at State Street. In addition to her volunteer leadership roles with Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, Gutschenritter is currently on the Boston Advisory Board for the Posse Foundation.


Tags: YMCA,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

View Full Story

More Becket Stories