Wendy Palmer Named New Easton Executive Director

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is thrilled to announce Wendy Palmer as its new Easton Executive Director.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is thrilled to announce Wendy Palmer as its new Easton Executive Director where she will oversee both Easton YMCA Locations at Peachblossom Avenue and Washington Street. She assumed her new role earlier this month following the departure of Derek White who accepted a CEO position with the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley in Wisconsin.

Prior to this promotion, Palmer was the Director of Operations of the Easton Family YMCA at Washington and most recently served as the as the Easton Associate Executive Director where she took on the added responsibilities of health and wellness programs and member services for both Easton branches.

“It’s rare to find someone so committed to the service of others like Wendy,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Her passion for strengthening our community is an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her. She’s the perfect choice to lead the Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom and the Y at Washington.”

Palmer’s journey with the YMCA began when she was an active member and fitness instructor at Cross Courts Athletic Club, which was purchased by the YMCA of the Chesapeake in 2016 and then became the Easton Family YMCA at Washington in 2017. Palmer was soon hired as the Director of Operations of that facility and played a leading role in its successful transition to a Y and the new home for the YMCAs chronic disease programs such as LiveSTRONG, Enhance Fitness and Rock Steady for Parkinson’s.

When asked about what’s she’s most excited about in this new position, Palmer shared, “I celebrated my fifth year with the YMCA in April this year. Working for YMCA has become my life’s joy. I can’t imagine doing anything other than serving our community the way we do. We are so very blessed in Talbot County to have so many fabulous partners that want to do great work. I look forward to building on those partnerships to have love and show love to everyone in our community.”

Palmer lives in Trappe with her husband, Dan, of 28 years. Together they have two adult daughters, Madeline and Carly. Palmer is also the former owner of Latitude 38 and the Mastehead in Oxford.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia.