The YMCA of the North Shore serves 25 communities along the Massachusetts coast, offering impactful programming that adapts to local needs — from early education to mental health and senior housing. At the center of this mission is Gerald MacKillop, Chief Operating Officer, who drives strategic growth through operational excellence, community engagement, and the smart use of technology.
Leading with Purpose Across 25 Distinct Communities
As COO, Gerald MacKillop champions a localized approach to delivering services that reflect each community’s unique character. While united under one mission, each branch of the YMCA of the North Shore is empowered to meet people where they are, providing personalized experiences in wellness, childcare, housing, and more.
From historic buildings in downtown Salem to cutting-edge wellness centers in Beverly, the YMCA of the North Shore doesn’t deliver a one-size-fits-all model. It builds trust and relevance by honoring the local identity of each community.
Each of our communities has a YMCA that reflects that community. And that's something that we're really proud of and something that I'm really proud of... We don’t call our YMCA’s branches, we call them local YMCAs because they’re local to those communities.
Gerald MacKillop
Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of the North Shore
Programs That Prioritize Whole-Person Health and Community Care
At the core of the YMCA of the North Shore’s impact is a commitment to addressing the full spectrum of community needs — physical, emotional, and social. By designing programs that nurture well-being at every stage of life, the YMCA creates opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. From early education to senior housing, every initiative reflects a deep understanding of the challenges local communities face, and a resolve to meet them with compassion and innovation.
Early Education and Childcare that Grows with the Community
The YMCA of the North Shore supports more than 3,000 children annually through early education and school-age programs. Their recent expansion into Amesbury and Georgetown underscores the YMCA’s commitment to accessible childcare, particularly for working families.
Mental Health Integration Enhances Wellness Programming
Recognizing mental wellness as essential to overall health, the YMCA added an Executive Director of Mental Health to integrate these services into its core offerings. Collaborations with McLean Hospital and Cartwheel Care bring evidence-based mental health support directly into wellness programs.
It amazes me every single day to know that we provide care for over 3,000 children… and that's actually going to get bigger for the next school year... We made a deliberate change to really start to incorporate the mental health component of overall health and wellness into the work that we do... Having Ranjeev [Benjamin] has been, he's like a cheat code... There's probably nothing more important that we do for families in a community than provide them with a safe, affordable place to put their head down at night... We want to teach kids how to be great teammates, great leaders, and great people. We're just using basketball as the platform to do it.
Gerald MacKillop
Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of the North Shore
Addressing Housing Insecurity Through Senior Living Projects
The organization recently launched a 55-unit affordable senior housing development in Gloucester, a response to the region’s rising housing costs. With more projects underway, the YMCA continues to tackle critical gaps in housing for vulnerable populations.
Youth Development Through Athletics and Employment
From teen employment programs to basketball leagues, youth initiatives at the YMCA promote leadership, social connection, and resilience. A standout partnership with the Boston Celtics brings an added layer of excitement and mentorship to their youth sports offerings.
Elevating Member Engagement and Operational Efficiency with Daxko
Technology plays a pivotal role in delivering seamless experiences to members and staff alike. With Daxko Engage and Daxko Operations, the YMCA of the North Shore is equipped to manage communications, programs, and donor relations efficiently.
Personalized Engagement Through Daxko Engage
Using Daxko Engage, the YMCA can track member activity, automate outreach, and send personalized messages, whether it’s a birthday greeting or a fitness milestone. These touchpoints build loyalty and improve the member journey.
“Daxko Engage gives us a better understanding of how people interact with us,” says Gerald. “We can respond in meaningful, personalized ways.”
Simplifying Access Through Daxko Operations
With Daxko’s CRM and self-service capabilities, members can register for programs, manage accounts, and access services anytime. This flexibility is critical for today’s digitally savvy community.
Donor Engagement and Growth
The integration of donation prompts through Daxko tools has led to the addition of 368 new donors, a significant step in expanding the YMCA’s philanthropic reach.
It's so much more than [a] marketing tool. Engage gives our staff the shortcut and the tool to say… how can we better support [members] in their wellness journey? We're very rarely enrolling somebody in childcare now. That tells me… we’re able to meet people where they’re at... Since we’ve launched that, we’ve grown our member program participant donor base by 368 people.
Gerald MacKillop
Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of the North Shore
Strategic Leadership Driving Toward 2030
Gerald MacKillop’s leadership emphasizes transparency, staff development, and long-term vision. Under his guidance, the YMCA is setting bold goals for 2030:
- Reducing barriers to program access
- Innovating internal talent development
- Expanding financial assistance
- Building a pipeline of next-generation leaders and donors
“We’re investing in people — our staff, our members, and our future leaders,” says Gerald. “That’s how we’ll continue making a lasting impact.”
Advancing Community Wellness Through Innovation and Impact
The YMCA of the North Shore exemplifies what’s possible when strong leadership, community-first values, and reliable technology come together. Their progress in mental health, housing, youth programming, and member engagement reflects a clear vision and a commitment to service that continues to evolve.
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