Women of Peace Corps Legacy's Extra-Ordinary Women Podcast

Extra-Ordinary Woman: Suzanne McCormick

Kathleen Corey

Women of Peace Corps Legacy interviews an “Extra-Ordinary Woman”, Suzanne McCormick, who is the first woman to serve as the President and CEO of YMCA of the USA since September 2021. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand from 1989 to 1991.


Featured Guest:
Under her leadership, YMCA of the USA has enhanced the national service-delivery
system for Ys, created new opportunities for Y leaders to offer direct feedback
about the support they receive from the national office and significantly increased
contributed support from national donors and partners, among other accomplishments.


Suzanne has 32 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a local and national
executive leader. She served for three years as U.S. President of United Way
Worldwide and a member of the organization’s global management team. She also
was executive sponsor of United Way’s Women United Global Leadership Council.
Suzanne previously spent five years as President and CEO of United Way Suncoast
in Tampa, Florida, and 13 years at United Way of Greater Portland in Maine,
including four as President and CEO. She also was CEO for both the American Red
Cross of Southern Maine and the People’s Regional Opportunity Program in Maine.
Forbes named Suzanne to its 50 Over 50 list in the Impact category in 2023. The
NonProfit Times recognized Suzanne in the Power & Influence Top 50, its annual celebration of the nonprofit sector’s top leaders, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She serves on the boards of Independent Sector and the National Fitness
Foundation.

Podcast Host:
Maryann Minutillo has an extensive career in international development and public service. She is a founding member of Women of Peace Corps Legacy and a co-founder of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation. She has served as a mentor for mid-level professionals at Peace Corps for WPCL since the program began. Prior to her work at Peace Corps, Maryann was Director of the Department of State’s Family Liaison Office. In this position she oversaw community, education and family support programs at the State Department and United States Embassies throughout the world.  She was Peace Corps Country Director in Bolivia, Acting Regional Director and Chief of Operations for the Inter-America and Pacific Region and Senior Advisor to six Directors of Peace Corps.  Throughout her life, Maryann has had a strong interest in cultural adaptation and the impact of international transition and crisis situations on families and particularly on women’s careers.

Women of Peace Corps Legacy (WPCL) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance women and girls empowerment to create a more just, equitable, inclusive, and safe world for future generations.  WPCL seeks to partner with and highlight the work of those existing organizations and programs that are effectively addressing the issues of women and girls.