Phillip Jimenez was named president and CEO of the West Cook YMCA, confirmed West Cook Board President David L. Phelps.
Jimenez, a River Forest resident, currently serves as vice president and chief operating officer of the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. He also previously served president and CEO of San Miguel Schools Chicago and as director of advancement for Lutheran Child and Family Services in River Forest.
Jimenez holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Wisconsin and a certificate of professional achievement in nonprofit management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Jimenez also volunteers as a member of the ethics committee of the Chicago chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the boards of the Oak Park and River Forest Community Foundation, the Safer Foundation, the Latino Giving Circle Fund of the Chicago Community Trust. He also is an emeritus member of Mujeres Latinas in Accion and is a founding member of the nonprofit Hope for Grieving Children.
“We’ve had great leadership over the years from our presidents and CEOs, and we’re just delighted to have Phillip joining the team here in May,” Phelps said in a telephone interview.
Phelps said there were 60 applicants for the position and four finalists. Jimenez succeeds Jan Pate, who resigned in November. She recently was hired as vice president of financial development for the YMCA in Boulder, Colo.
This year marks the 110th anniversary for the West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St. in Oak Park, which also serves the communities of Bellwood, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, River Grove, River Forest and Stone Park.
