Local YWCA leader known for racial and social justice work is tapped for national stage
Cleveland took one for the nation this week when the YWCA USA, one of the nation’s oldest and largest women’s organizations, announced that Margaret Mitchell will be its next CEO, effective January 3, 2022. Mitchell currently serves as President and CEO of YWCA Greater Cleveland, a position she has held for the past 10 years.
In her new role, Mitchell will be leading the YWCA USA’s 200-plus associations across the country.
Mitchell has been a difference maker during her tenure here. Under her leadership, YWCA Greater Cleveland has more than doubled its budget, staff, and services. Additionally, Margaret led the acquisition of the Norma Herr Women’s Center, Cleveland’s largest homeless emergency women’s shelter. She also launched the transformation of the YWCA Greater Cleveland Early Learning Center into a unique, unduplicated preschool that currently operates the only trauma-informed preschool servicing children and families experiencing homelessness.
Beyond the YW, she led the call in 2019 to declare racism a public health crisis in Cleveland and across the state through her leadership in the Ohio YWCA Council.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of her move to a national leadership role, Mitchell said,
“I am both humbled and honored to have this opportunity to expand my role in advancing the mission of the YWCA. Like all YWCA leaders, I believe in a world where all women and girls, especially women and girls of color, are free from racism and sexism, experience justice and equity, and are able to thrive. On day one, I will be ready to support the incredible work that our 200+ associations are doing in communities across the nation.”
Previously, Mitchell was the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Cleveland and served as the VP of Business Development and Director of Partnerships at Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas. Prior to joining the nonprofit sector, Mitchell gained valuable business experience at Menttium, where she held senior leadership roles. She began her career in journalism.
This year, Mitchell received YWCA USA’s Excellence Award for Racial Justice for her work in “leading exemplary and innovative programming and advocacy.”
Mitchell received a BA with honors in mass communications from Hampton Institute [nka Hampton University], a Virginia HBCU.
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