Tammy Roche is Vice President of Financial Development, Membership & Marketing at the YMCA. She is well-known for excelling in various positions at Hamot, Erie Insurance, the City of Erie, and the Erie Art Museum.

How did you get started with the YMCA?

I grew up at the YMCA, since my father spent 36 years of his professional career working for the YMCA movement. I officially began my involvement at age 10, by volunteering as a junior leader.

Upon graduation from Edinboro University, I looked for jobs within the Y family, although I was not successful at first. This disappointment gave me the opportunity that kick started my career. I became a coordinator for First Night Erie—overseeing 400 volunteers under Hamot and later produced the event. As my career grew, I worked in the corporate realms of Hamot and Erie Insurance, as the Manager of the Mayor's office of Cultural Affairs for the City, and as director of development and marketing for the Erie Art Museum.

Finally, I made my way back home where it all started. With the expansion of the Glenwood YMCA, I helped with marketing as a freelancer. That evolved into the role I currently have now for the YMCA and I couldn't be any happier.

What do you love about the YMCA?

The Y is my family business. It's what I've known my whole life. What's great about the Y is its diversity. No two people share the same story, but the Y pulls them together. There are many stories of Y members or employees— how they grew up here, how some people met their spouses here, some started out as a member and began volunteering and some even evolved from being a youth counselor to being on the payroll. The opportunities offered by the Y give testament to the fabric of what the organization is all about— family!

I love the Y and what I do. I am very grateful to be able to help so many people. The Y is an extraordinary organization to work for. We don't make astronomical amounts of money, but what we get back in the form of spiritual uplifting, far surpasses any dollar amount. I am truly honored to be part of such a tremendous organization.

What does the future hold of the YMCA?

The Y is a truly blessed organization that has held the ability to deliver their mission for 153 years. This loyal, vibrant non-profit will continue to highlight the community's greatest needs and will address them in conjunction with others— in order to extend continued growth to the Y and all aspects of the community. These continued collaborations will help provide a safe haven for the community's youth. Supporting the community's youth — particularly giving inner-city kids a safe haven to go after school, is sometimes all a kid needs.Tammy Roche is Vice President of Financial Development, Membership & Marketing at the YMCA. She is well-known for excelling in various positions at Hamot, Erie Insurance, the City of Erie, and the Erie Art Museum.

How did you get started with the YMCA?

I grew up at the YMCA, since my father spent 36 years of his professional career working for the YMCA movement. I officially began my involvement at age 10, by volunteering as a junior leader.

Upon graduation from Edinboro University, I looked for jobs within the Y family, although I was not successful at first. This disappointment gave me the opportunity that kick started my career. I became a coordinator for First Night Erie—overseeing 400 volunteers under Hamot and later produced the event. As my career grew, I worked in the corporate realms of Hamot and Erie Insurance, as the Manager of the Mayor's office of Cultural Affairs for the City, and as director of development and marketing for the Erie Art Museum.

Finally, I made my way back home where it all started. With the expansion of the Glenwood YMCA, I helped with marketing as a freelancer. That evolved into the role I currently have now for the YMCA and I couldn't be any happier.

What do you love about the YMCA?

The Y is my family business. It's what I've known my whole life. What's great about the Y is its diversity. No two people share the same story, but the Y pulls them together. There are many stories of Y members or employees— how they grew up here, how some people met their spouses here, some started out as a member and began volunteering and some even evolved from being a youth counselor to being on the payroll. The opportunities offered by the Y give testament to the fabric of what the organization is all about— family!

I love the Y and what I do. I am very grateful to be able to help so many people. The Y is an extraordinary organization to work for. We don't make astronomical amounts of money, but what we get back in the form of spiritual uplifting, far surpasses any dollar amount. I am truly honored to be part of such a tremendous organization.

What does the future hold of the YMCA?

The Y is a truly blessed organization that has held the ability to deliver their mission for 153 years. This loyal, vibrant non-profit will continue to highlight the community's greatest needs and will address them in conjunction with others— in order to extend continued growth to the Y and all aspects of the community. These continued collaborations will help provide a safe haven for the community's youth. Supporting the community's youth — particularly giving inner-city kids a safe haven to go after school, is sometimes all a kid needs.