Hank Leo, born in Oneida, NY is the current CEO of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley where he has held this position for the past eight years. In his capacity as CEO he is responsible for the operations of a mid-level $4.4 million budget and 450 staff. The organization has approximately 10,000 members and four locations. Leo has written grants totaling $1,100,000 for the organization. Previously, he was the branch director at the Oneida YMCA, starting in October 1995.
Mr. Leo was the Director of Development and Americorps Coordinator for the Idyllic Foundation for two years prior. Under this title, Leo organized the first community-wide service learning day, which featured 500 youth workers performing 400 hours of service in a 24 hour period in 12 communities.
Leo also served as the Director of Development for the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York, responsible for grant writing and special events. He organized the first community-wide Read-A-Thon for children and adults with Learning Disabilities and created Project Courage, a social skills development program for people with disabilities.
Leo worked as a tutor and mentor for college athletes for 18 years. He is responsible for the creation of the SAY YES to Character Initiative, which formed a collaboration of the Special Olympics, ARC and YMCA to recruit volunteer coaches at the YMCA, which now serves as an official training site for Special Olympic athletes.
Mr. Leo, along with Scott Rutledge is responsible for creating the YMCA Center for the Creative Arts- a stand-alone YMCA music education and performance program. He is responsible for coordinating the efforts to bring national recording artists such as Jason Marsalis, Jennifer Warnes, Jo-el Sonnier, Leroy Jones, Dr. John, Topsy Chapman, The Jordan Family, Javon Jackson, Amanda Shaw, Bill Medley, Sean Jones, Doreen Ketchens, Bonerama, Brian O’Neal, Ellis Marsalis, the Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni, Will Calhoun and others to work with music students cultivated by the YCCA faculty on a collaborative recording project.
Leo serves as incoming President of the Oneida Rotary Club, and is on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Salvation Army.