Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Erikson.
Greg, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My YMCA journey started as a kid in after-school care and summer camp. In high school, I took my first Y job helping with youth sports, and after college, I joined the Peninsula YMCA while considering a career as a teacher.
What started as a temporary job quickly became a career. I spent nearly 18 years at the Peninsula Y before taking on leadership roles at the South Bay and Davis YMCAs. Like many people, my career took an unexpected turn during COVID, when I was furloughed twice and ultimately returned to the Y in a smaller role. I worked my way back into leadership and, in 2022, became executive director of the McGrath Family YMCA.
I’ve now spent more than half my life with the YMCA, and I’m proud to lead a team dedicated to serving our members and strengthening the communities around us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my first big challenges was leaving the Peninsula YMCA after nearly 18 years. I loved the community and thought I would spend my entire career there, but I knew I needed to leave my comfort zone to continue growing.
The biggest challenge came during COVID. Shortly after achieving my goal of becoming an executive director, I was furloughed twice and genuinely wondered if my YMCA career was over. When I had the opportunity to return, it was in a Department Head role, which is a couple of steps below where I had been. I chose to come back, help reopen the Davis YMCA and work my way back up.
That experience reinforced how much the Y means to me. In 2022, I had the opportunity to become Executive Director at McGrath, and I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me here.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about McGrath Family YMCA ?
The McGrath Family YMCA is unique because we sit at the crossroads of several very different communities, serving families from Rancho San Diego, Jamul, Spring Valley, La Mesa and El Cajon. That brings tremendous diversity to our Y and challenges us to continually adapt to the needs of the people we serve.
We’re fortunate to have a beautiful, busy facility with a great gym, pool and programs for all ages, but what really sets us apart is our people. Over the past four years, we’ve built a staff culture centered around customer service and understanding that we are here to serve our members and community.
I hear from members all the time about how much they appreciate our staff, and we’ve had zero director turnover during my time here. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of. The McGrath Y is more than a place to work out — it’s a community, and our team works every day to make sure people feel that when they walk through our doors.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to embrace change and keep moving forward, even when the path doesn’t look the way you expected. I spent nearly 18 years at one YMCA and thought I would stay there my entire career. Then COVID hit just as I had reached my goal of becoming an executive director, and suddenly I wasn’t sure if my Y career would continue at all.
I learned to put my ego aside, take a step back when necessary and keep working toward what mattered to me. That journey ultimately brought me to McGrath and reinforced why I’ve stayed with the YMCA for more than half my life: the people, the community and the opportunity to make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ymcasd.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgrathymca
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McGrathFamilyYMCA/
- Twitter: https://x.com/YMCASanDiego
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ymcasandiego
