Today on (Y) Connect, we're thrilled to highlight the story of a community rooted in strength, endurance, and an unwavering commitment to health and wellness. Joining us is Monte Fowler, a veteran member of the South Fulton Running Partners—the nation's oldest Black recreation running group. For decades, this remarkable group has shared a deep connection with the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, fostering a space where individuals unite to run and uplift one another. Monte brings a unique perspective as someone who grew up at the Y served on the YMCA board, and has dedicated years to this running community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:42] Monte’ shares how he began his journey at the Y

• [6:21] Why Monte’ joined the South Fulton Running Partners and its legacy

• [11:05] How the Y has played a supporting role to the Partners and the community and the Y’s contribution to wellness

• [18:37] Why the Y is unique to community wellness

• [20:24] Advice to anyone interested in joining the Running Partners and what to expect

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Running offers more than physical fitness—it fosters lifelong health, builds discipline, and creates a supportive community. By embracing running, individuals can defy age-related health declines, find mentorship, and discover the "fountain of youth" through sweat, commitment, and connection

• The South Fulton Running Partners is a community of role models who embody service, mentorship, and giving back. Leaders like Bob Holmes and William and Lou Stanley showcase the impact of discipline and community, offering life-changing mentorship and inspiring purpose and integrity

• The YMCA in Atlanta is more than a gym—it’s a pillar of holistic community building, nurturing physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. The running partners have exemplified this ethos for over four decades, forming a family bound by shared values. The Y teaches fitness, fosters lifelong relationships, and supports members through every stage of life. It’s a place to grow, thrive, and find a true community

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHY:

Monte’ Fowler is a long-standing Y and South Fulton Running Partners member and a seasoned professional with 23+ years in product management, technology, and consulting. As a Product Manager at Cox Communications, he oversees a $300M+ product portfolio and has launched innovative tools, earning the 2021 Synergy Award and multiple PIL awards.

Dedicated to community service, Monte’ has served on boards for Cascade Elementary, Beecher Hills Elementary, the Center for Working Families, and the YMCA. He has also directed the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia’s largest fundraiser.

Monte’ holds an Executive MBA from Georgia Tech, a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and certifications in AI and Lean Six Sigma. His expertise in technology and passion for service make him an outstanding podcast guest.

Today, we’re joined by someone who wears a couple of hats in her connection to the Y—Lindsey LeFaivre. Lindsey is not only a passionate Y member and mom who participates in programming for her young children at multiple Ys across the city, but she’s also the Vice President of Customer Success with AchieveIT. This software company helps the YMCA track and measure the success of our strategic plan. In this episode, we’ll explore how Lindsey’s family benefits from the Y, what it’s like to be part of a community serving people of all ages, and how her professional expertise is helping the Y evolve and expand its impact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:37] Lindsey talks about her journey to the Y and the convenience of experiencing the different Y’s in Atlanta

• [12:06] Lindsey explains how her company integrates with the Y, enabling the Y to track its success

• [15:36] Lindsey describes the volunteer event AhieveIt hosted at the Y for older adults who have survived breast cancer, and she explains what she finds exciting about the Y

• [20:15] Different fitness programs are offered at various Y locations. Lindsey emphasizes the cost-benefit of joining the Y as opposed to a private fitness club, and she talks about the resource the Y is for underserved communities

• [25:12] Lindsey shares her vision for the evolving Y, capitalizing on toddlers

• [29:59 Lindsey’s message to parents

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y is much more than just swimming—many people don’t realize its wide range of activities and programs. In Atlanta, different Y locations provide various opportunities for kids throughout the school year, on weekends, and during summer camps. If you haven’t explored your local Y yet, do yourself and your family a favor and check it out!

• A YMCA membership is both affordable and packed with value. Compared to private classes and gyms, the Y offers a wide range of activities at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible for all. Adults enjoy the Y as much as kids do—you can join in on activities or take a well-deserved break while your child participates.

• The Y provides a safe environment for children, giving parents peace of mind that their kids are well cared for. Plus, the Y hosts seasonal events like Trunk or Treat, Fall Festivals, and more for families to enjoy.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

AcheiveIt - Website

Lindsey LaFaivre - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHIES: Lindsey LaFaivre

In addition to being an avid fan and member of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lindsey LaFaivre is the Vice President of Customer Success for a software company called AchieveIt. She has been with AchieveIt for six years. She has over 10 years of experience in Customer Success – specifically working in SaaS platforms and has assisted hundreds of clients in tracking their most important initiatives and growing their business. Lindsey has been a resident of Atlanta since 2018 and, before that, lived in Phoenix, AZ, where she got her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. She lives in Westview with her husband, their two young daughters, and a very large dog, appropriately named Cheesecake. In her free time, she enjoys thrift shopping, biking and spending time with friends and family. She's been a member of YMCA Atlanta since 2022.

Today, on (Y) Connect, we share a touching and inspiring story highlighting the transformative power of community, fitness, and perseverance. Louisa Merchant, a dedicated YMCA member, and Cindy Augustin, a beloved group exercise instructor who has played a pivotal role in Louisa’s journey, are joining us. Recently, Louisa penned a heartfelt letter to YMCA leaders, reflecting on her experience over the past few months and how the Y has helped her regain physical strength and a renewed sense of hope. We’re thrilled to have them here to share their incredible stories and the profound impact the YMCA has had on their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:24] Louisa shares what initially drew her to the Y and kept her connected for 15 years, and Cindy responds to Louisa’s heartfelt feelings about the Y, and Louisa discusses the difficulty in reconnecting with her body after the pandemic

• [9:13] Cindy talks about the atmosphere she creates in her class, and Louisa shares how the diversity offered at the Y built her confidence

• [18:46] Louisa discusses how the Y helps her in her position as she works with the All Saints Church in their refugee program, and she gives examples of how the Y has helped refugees

• [24:20] Cindy discusses the collaboration she is looking forward to with her daughter, who was recently hired, and Louisa talks about the importance of human relationships

• [29:27] Cindy shares her Y story, and Louisa shares how it feels to be a part of an organization that makes such a wide-reaching impact on lives across Atlanta

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y is a safe place. It offers personal safety and an atmosphere of acceptance, no matter what your background

• Cindy makes her SokaSweat class fun for every age and ability to participate at their level

• Louisa felt confident about doing a cycling class because she trusted Linda, the trainer, and felt comfortable with her
  

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Louisa Merchant, a member of the YMCA for 15 years, is the director of All Saints Episcopal Church Refugee Ministries and connects volunteers to work in teams to help refugee families adjust to the difficult transition of living in the US. She credits dancing and being in the Y community empowering her to be more present in the world.

Cindy Augustin has been a Group Exercise Instructor at the East Lake YMCA since September 2022. She and her family became members of the Y in 2016. She teaches Dance parties and Line Dance, but her journey with dance did not start there. Cindy’s curiosity and passion for dance began in high school while participating in a church play. This led to her participation in various genres of dance classes. In 2000, Cindy left her job as a business analyst to start a family with her husband. However, she continued to pursue her passion for dance by creating a Performing Arts company, Vessels Arts and Education, in 2011 with her three daughters as her first students. As her company grew, it led to teaching opportunities at various private and public schools. Cindy now applies her analytical skills to assess community needs. She aims to use her Caribbean culture, arts, and fitness to facilitate creative and fun classes, transforming timid and disinterested students into self-health advocates.

Today, we’re celebrating Welcoming Week 2024, a time dedicated to fostering inclusion and building bridges between all members of our community. With the theme "Belonging Begins With Us," we’ll explore how the Y creates spaces where everyone feels they belong. Jamie Day and Rob Wilson who lead membership efforts at the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA are joining us, and they will share their insights and experiences on making Welcoming Week a powerful expression of community connection.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:42] The hosts use their imaginations
• [3:54] Welcoming Week 2024 and Jamie and Rob give an overview of their positions at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y
• [7:04] Discussion of what it is like being a Y member at Tull-Gwinnett. Jamie shares the work that led her to work with Hispanic communities and what the Y5 team has accomplished through the YUSA grant
• [16:20] Rob discusses why Welcoming Week is crucial for the Y
• [19:53] Jamie explains how they foster connections between newcomers and long-standing members, and Rob says the success of Welcoming Week is the Y stories they hear
• [25:07] Both Jamie and Rob share memorable stories from past Welcoming Weeks
• [28:38] Jamie and Rob share their Y stories

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y has added the ability to translate data on its website into your native language
• Y5 is a smaller group of professionals focusing on strategically advancing topic-specific goals
• The Y is free during Welcoming Week. Come check it out

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Jamie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Georgia, where she honed her skills in public relations, media, and marketing.

Starting in 2015 at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, with just a few hours per week, she worked up to the Membership Experience Director position after graduation. In her current role, she leads enhancing member retention, acquisition, and growth, ensuring we provide outstanding service and value to our dynamic community. Outside work, she enjoys tackling DIY projects, playing with her dog, and finding the perfect cup of coffee. With an ever-curious mind and a commitment to helping others, she brings a positive attitude and a smile to everything she does, striving to make a meaningful impact. Jamie is passionate about fostering equitable and welcoming spaces and bridging gaps to create inclusive environments.

Rob Wilson earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Louisiana. Through college, he fundraised for NPR, public television and college radio. After earning a degree, he worked in children’s book publishing, and he has

Twenty years experience in property management with a focus on renovation, construction, and repurposing of town properties. His journey with the Y started in 2008, working part-time at the Y's front desk, then as a wellness coach, and ultimately becoming a Membership Experience Director. Rob's passion is engaging our senior community, as he started Lifelong Learners at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y and the Fowler Family Y.

Today we are highlighting Jeff Beckham and Clark Dean’s Pathway to the (Y) stories. We learn that both of our guests became involved at the Y at a young age and their families both were active participants in sports and youth programs throughout the years. Because the Y has made a lasting impact on both of their families, which is a big reason they choose to serve the Y and their community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:00] Jeff learned how to swim at his local YMCA at a young age. When he became a father and it was time for his children to learn how to swim, Jeff enrolled his sons at the Y.

• [2:18] Clark also swam at his local YMCA when he was a young boy, when his swim team would use the Y’s pool. He then became a lifeguard at the YMCA.

• [2:50] When Clark and his family moved to Atlanta, he and his family became involved with the Y. Clark’s son started playing soccer and fell in love with the sport. He went on to play 4 years of college soccer.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• When parents have such great memories of their childhood experiences at the Y, they likely want to give their children the same opportunities.

• The Y is a welcoming place that helps make a lasting impact on people.

• The sports program at the Y has a lasting impact on participants, whether they play for a year or all the way through college.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website

BIOGRAPHIES:

Jeffrey Beckham is Head of Portfolio and Asset Management and a member of GID’s Executive and Investment Committees. He is responsible for leading the multifamily and retail asset management team, overseeing the multifamily, industrial and credit portfolio management teams, guiding the ESG effort across GID, and supporting the development of new investment products for the company.

Previously, Mr. Beckham worked at Jamestown, where he served as Head of Institutional Investment Management and Fund Manager for Jamestown’s flagship open-end vehicle, the Premier Property Fund. Before Jamestown, Mr. Beckham worked at Tishman Speyer in New York and Atlanta, focusing primarily on acquisitions and development deals. Before Tishman Speyer, Mr. Beckham worked at Hines in London, England, focusing on development projects and Morgan Stanley Real Estate in New York, London, and Tokyo, focusing on principal investing and advisory assignments.

Mr. Beckham is married and is the father of two boys who play basketball and learn how to swim at the YMCA. He received a BBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Clark Dean helped direct Transwestern’s Tenant Representation and Workplace Solutions business and founded the company’s Transaction Sciences Group, which operates across asset classes and service lines. Clark is a Transwestern Board of Directors member and its National Tenant.

Representation and Workplace Solutions Steering Committee. He also helps lead the company’s global partnerships with BNP Paribas Real Estate and Encore Advisors. With a background in biomedical engineering, management consulting, and financial structuring, Clark is known for being a disruptive innovator. His Transaction Sciences Group helps build businesses, grow non-profits, and enrich communities by structuring better solutions for real estate occupiers and investors. Clark and his wife have three children, all of whom grew up going to the Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead YMCA. He graduated cum laude with an A.B. in Engineering and Biological Sciences from Harvard University, where he played varsity football, served as a class officer, and delivered the Harvard College oration as a graduating senior.