ARTICLE
After 16 years of visionary leadership as CEO of the South Shore YMCA, Paul Gorman will retire in January 2026, leaving behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and community impact. Under Paul’s leadership, the South Shore YMCA evolved into a nationally recognized association, home to two of the largest and most successful YMCA branches in the country. Membership grew by 30%, program participation surged, and revenue more than doubled—quadrupling the organization’s bottom line and ensuring long-term sustainability. Paul oversaw more than $70 million in capital investments, including the $30 million redevelopment of the Quincy branch into the Hale Family YMCA, now undergoing a 20,000-square-foot expansion. He transformed the Emilson YMCA into a 30-acre campus, adding the Laura’s Center for the Arts, an Outdoor Aquatics Center, and the Family Farm. His leadership also extended to infrastructure, including the construction of a wastewater treatment plant to support the growing campus. He expanded the Y’s reach in early education and youth programming, leading the development of two Early Learning Centers and a state-of-the-art Gymnastics Center, with a second facility opening in 2026. Childcare capacity grew eightfold under his guidance. At Camp Burgess & Hayward and Camp Gordon Clark, Paul led major capital improvements, enhancing outdoor learning and recreation. Paul championed nature-based education, revitalizing the South Shore YMCA Nature Center in Norwell, creating the Jose Carreiro Children’s Gardens, and building a Nature Center Preschool to deepen the Y’s commitment to environmental stewardship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul’s leadership was instrumental in pivoting the Y to meet urgent community needs—providing emergency shelter, expanding food pantry services, launching childcare for essential workers, and developing safety protocols that became models for local schools and camps. Paul’s fundraising efforts brought in over $25 million in capital funds and grew the Annual Campaign from $1.3 million to $6 million, ensuring the Y’s continued ability to serve the South Shore community. Thanks to his strategic vision and tireless dedication, the South Shore YMCA is well-positioned for the future. A comprehensive three-year strategic plan, developed under his guidance, ensures a seamless transition and continued momentum. The South Shore YMCA invites the community to join in celebrating Paul Gorman’s extraordinary legacy—a career defined by bold leadership, deep compassion, and a lasting impact on the South Shore. ssymca.org/announcements/a-legacy-built-to-last-celebrating-the-retirement-of-paul-gorman/
After 16 years of visionary leadership as CEO of the South Shore YMCA, Paul Gorman will retire in January 2026, leaving behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and community impact.
Under Paul’s leadership, the South Shore YMCA evolved into a nationally recognized association, home to two of the largest and most successful YMCA branches in the country. Membership grew by 30%, program participation surged, and revenue more than doubled—quadrupling the organization’s bottom line and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Paul oversaw more than $70 million in capital investments, including the $30 million redevelopment of the Quincy branch into the Hale Family YMCA, now undergoing a 20,000-square-foot expansion. He transformed the Emilson YMCA into a 30-acre campus, adding the Laura’s Center for the Arts, an Outdoor Aquatics Center, and the Family Farm. His leadership also extended to infrastructure, including the construction of a wastewater treatment plant to support the growing campus.
He expanded the Y’s reach in early education and youth programming, leading the development of two Early Learning Centers and a state-of-the-art Gymnastics Center, with a second facility opening in 2026. Childcare capacity grew eightfold under his guidance. At Camp Burgess & Hayward and Camp Gordon Clark, Paul led major capital improvements, enhancing outdoor learning and recreation.
Paul championed nature-based education, revitalizing the South Shore YMCA Nature Center in Norwell, creating the Jose Carreiro Children’s Gardens, and building a Nature Center Preschool to deepen the Y’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul’s leadership was instrumental in pivoting the Y to meet urgent community needs—providing emergency shelter, expanding food pantry services, launching childcare for essential workers, and developing safety protocols that became models for local schools and camps.
Paul’s fundraising efforts brought in over $25 million in capital funds and grew the Annual Campaign from $1.3 million to $6 million, ensuring the Y’s continued ability to serve the South Shore community.
Thanks to his strategic vision and tireless dedication, the South Shore YMCA is well-positioned for the future. A comprehensive three-year strategic plan, developed under his guidance, ensures a seamless transition and continued momentum.
The South Shore YMCA invites the community to join in celebrating Paul Gorman’s extraordinary legacy—a career defined by bold leadership, deep compassion, and a lasting impact on the South Shore.
ssymca.org/announcements/a-legacy-built-to-last-celebrating-the-retirement-of-paul-gorman/