Career
Beth Malcom
Louisville, KY
Beth Malcom is the first female CEO to lead the Kentucky YMCA, the nation’s largest youth and government program. The fact that she's doing this at the age of 33 makes Beth Malcom a complete badass. Beth started at the YMCA in 2011, and was permanently instated as CEO on November 1, 2016. Though her background is in mental health and addictions counseling, she shares, “I am not necessarily a business woman, but I have worked in every aspect of this organization, am driven to excel in new areas, and have a clear vision for how I can further our mission.” The Kentucky YMCA serves approximately 9,000 teens, from the ages of 12-21, across the state each year, and with her dedicated team of 16 full-time employees and over 900 volunteers, the KY YMCA offers multiple programs, including Metro Youth Advocates and Y-corps. I Admire U Beth, you are a passionate leader, a self-proclaimed introvert, and the mother of your beautiful toddler, Story Ann. You are a true role model.
Our nation needs more like you.
Beth in her own words...
1. You are seriously badass. You are the first female CEO in a 126-year-old organization, at the age of 33. When you read that statement out loud, what comes to mind? What’s your secret sauce to shattering the YMCA glass ceiling?
The first thing I do is laugh. It sounds like you must be talking about someone else! I never thought I’d be a CEO, much less at such this age, but here I am. Honestly, it was a mix of the right time and the right people seeing a talent and passion in me. I work hard, and all that jazz, but truly I owe a lot to those around me who support and uplift me.
2. You started at the Kentucky YMCA in 2011, promoted to COO in 2014, and promoted to CEO in November 2016. Since taking the reins, what is the most surprising aspect about the role? And, what is a goal you have set for the Kentucky YMCA for 2017?
The other day I was meeting with our previous CEO trying to make some budget decisions, and I told him, you know it was a lot easier when I was using your money! The most surprising aspect is how difficult decisions have become when I realize there’s no one higher to take the ultimate risks. The organization is in my hands, and it’s my duty to be a good steward of it. In that spirit, I want 2017 to bring an increase in resources to maintain high quality programming while increasing access to teens who are traditionally marginalized from leadership development opportunities. It’s a lofty goal, but I’m up for the challenge.
The first thing I do is laugh. It sounds like you must be talking about someone else! I never thought I’d be a CEO, much less at such this age, but here I am. Honestly, it was a mix of the right time and the right people seeing a talent and passion in me. I work hard, and all that jazz, but truly I owe a lot to those around me who support and uplift me.
2. You started at the Kentucky YMCA in 2011, promoted to COO in 2014, and promoted to CEO in November 2016. Since taking the reins, what is the most surprising aspect about the role? And, what is a goal you have set for the Kentucky YMCA for 2017?
The other day I was meeting with our previous CEO trying to make some budget decisions, and I told him, you know it was a lot easier when I was using your money! The most surprising aspect is how difficult decisions have become when I realize there’s no one higher to take the ultimate risks. The organization is in my hands, and it’s my duty to be a good steward of it. In that spirit, I want 2017 to bring an increase in resources to maintain high quality programming while increasing access to teens who are traditionally marginalized from leadership development opportunities. It’s a lofty goal, but I’m up for the challenge.
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3. You are in a special seat with the access to influence a large organization that impacts our next generation. With a shift in the nation, what is something that you hope to instill in all of the students that participate in your programs?
I tell our students their voice doesn’t matter in some distant future, when they turn a magic age or get some important degree. Their voice matters right now. They can make a positive difference in their communities today. There’s no need to wait. And there are adults who care and will cheer them on the whole way.
4. Metro Youth Advocates and Y-corps are a couple of the YMCA’s smaller social responsibility programs that teach advocacy and service/philanthropy in the country. What are these two programs about? And, why are they important to offer to students?
MYA is one of my faves because it reaches students with hidden potential who want to affect change but don’t know how to go about it. They learn about all the pieces involved in local policy, and how they can insert themselves. Then they get to show off their knowledge and recommendations to local officials and organizations. It’s always inspirational to see them realize their voices are being heard and respected by influential adults. Way cool!
Y-Corps focuses on service learning and philanthropy. The students apply for a chance to raise money for a scholarship fund for their peers, and then to spend over a week in the summer driving around the states in a school bus, eating peanut butter and jelly, and sleeping on Y floors. All so they can do service and learn about local communities. And they LOVE it! They practically beat down our doors for a chance to serve others.
"I tell our students their voice doesn’t matter
in some distant future, when they turn a magic age or get some important degree. Their voice matters right now. They can make a positive difference in their communities today. There’s no need to wait."
5. You are in connection with a huge network of incredible people. Kentucky YMCA serves approximately 9,000 teens across the state each year, operates with the dedication of 16 full-time employees and the help of over 900 volunteers a year. In your time at the YMCA, what is one of your favorite student testimonies?
My favorite story is actually from a mother of a teen who had some social-emotional difficulties. He asked to attend one of our conferences after his older sister had such a good time with us. He’d never spent a night away from home. His mother was reluctant but entrusted him to us. At first he was standoffish and didn’t want to get in on the fun. Then, over the course of three days he completely came out of his shell and made a ton of friends. He even did a comedy act at our “Expression Session.” On the last day, his mother was at the closing ceremony watching him sit in the front row with his new friends, laughing and hugging. She turned to me, crying, and said, “I now realize I’m the one that’s been holding him back.” Still gives me chills thinking about it.
6. What nuggets of wisdom would you share with a woman looking to move up in a company dominated by men? What tips would you share on how to effectively ask for a promotion/raise?
The thing is, you just can’t undervalue what you have to offer. Whenever I start to doubt myself, I think what would my predecessor have done? Well, he’d have gone after what he needed. So why shouldn’t I? There’s not one reason why I am not as qualified has he was when he first started as CEO. I just keep reminding myself that. And it works.
I used the same mentality when asking for promotions/raises in the past. I would hear my inner voice hedging and doubting, and I would stop myself and switch over to a narrative that was strong and maybe even a little cocky. But it worked. You have to see – no, BELIEVE – the value in yourself before you can ask others to.
7. You shared, “I’m actually an introvert, which many find hard to believe. I have to be intentional with my time and energy, between my job and family. “Me time” is critical.” How do you manage to lead such a large organization and still preserve yourself? What does your “me time” look like?
There’s a lot of Enya and closed office doors in my life! But really, at times it is all about a physical barrier to ensure I have time to breathe. I also know I can’t do many back-to-back meetings, so I schedule out blocks of time on my calendar that no one can touch. They are reserved for me to do work, grab a coffee, read, or go mindlessly looking through store windows. And when I have a large conference and a lot of face-to-face interactions, I go home to chocolate and a glass of wine. And Netflix.
8. Managing self-care, a high-demand job, and motherhood is tough business. In a world filled with lots of distractions, noise, and electronics, how do you turn down the work dial and be in the moment with your family?
I’m terrible at that part. My mind is always running a mile a minute, and it’s hard to shut off. I actually catch myself all the time checking email on my phone when my daughter turns away to grab a toy or something. Unplugging feels freaking amazing! But much like a toddler who argues with you about going to the park, I tend to forget that until I’m doing it. I’m a work in progress. This weekend we’re going to Cumberland Falls State Park to get away from all the noise and chaos. I can’t wait to be forced into a reset.
"The thing is, you just can’t undervalue what you have to offer. Whenever I start to doubt myself, I think what would my predecessor have done? Well, he’d have gone after what he needed. So why shouldn’t I?"
9. You are a CEO at the age of 33, I’m curious, what’s next for you?
I’m terrible at that too. I never was good at looking five years down the road (THANK YOU for not asking that question). What’s next is, I’m going to try to survive this first year, not driving us into bankruptcy (ha!), then I’m going to keep, well, going at this until it feels right to move on. To what? I have no idea. After all, six years ago, I had NO idea I’d be living in Kentucky and working for the KY YMCA!
10. I Admire U, whom do you admire?
I admire Michelle Obama. That woman is something else. Seriously. Under all of that scrutiny and microscope, she never loses her sense of self. She just manages to be real and vulnerable, while also kicking butt in the ultimate man’s world. Is there anything she touches that doesn’t just turn out magically perfect? Probably. But even in that imperfection, she’s so comfortable that it’s pretty much perfect. Plus, those arms.
I also admire Queen Elizabeth. Talk about someone who had to learn to lead on the fly. She was charged with an entire empire while still in her 20s. And she’s still at it! I admire her because she has tripped and stumbled and clawed her way through her journey as Queen. It’s a life I could never imagine, but I’m left in awe of how she kept going. She never gave up, even though I’m sure there were many times she wanted to just disappear. Her resiliency and fortitude are incredible.
I guess Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth are complements to each other. Perhaps together they represent the whole of what I strive to be: genuinely vulnerable and true to self, but also strong as an ox and able to withstand a hurricane. I’d take that mix.
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