June 16, 2025 – Today, the CEO Search Committee and the Board of Directors at the YMCA Alliance of Northern New England announced the selection of Dr. Rebecca Stanfield McCown, of Lebanon, NH as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Stanfield McCown brings more than 16 years of leadership experience in government service and academia, with a career grounded in strategic planning, community engagement, and leadership development. Most recently, she served as Director of the National Park Service’s Stewardship Institute, where she supported park staff and partners across the country through innovative public land management strategies. Her work emphasized building partnerships, fostering inclusive community engagement, and equipping leaders in the public service sector with tools to adapt and thrive.

She also recently served as Director for Environmental Justice Public Engagement at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), where she led national public engagement efforts, coordinated the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and facilitated interagency collaboration to advance environmental equity and community impact.

Stanfield McCown’s leadership spans both national and international arenas. She has led training and facilitation efforts for public land managers around the globe, guided program evaluation and strategic initiatives for federal offices, and launched key efforts like the NPS Urban Agenda to increase the relevance and reach of public lands in metropolitan areas.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University and both a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Her academic work was recognized with the 2012 Best Dissertation Award from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty, she currently sits on the Board of Advisors for the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the Coordinating Committee for the Network for Landscape Conservation, and as a Trustee for The Nature Conservancy’s Vermont Chapter.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Rebecca Stanfield McCown as the new CEO of the YMCA Alliance,” said Casey Clark Kelley, Alliance Board Chair. “Her deep commitment to community, strategic leadership, and passion for the Y’s mission make her the right leader for this important time of growth and collaboration. We look forward to working together to strengthen our collective impact across the region.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity to join such a mission-driven organization, dedicated to uplifting individuals and communities,” added Stanfield McCown. “I am excited to champion the work and expand the impact of YMCAs across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. My own experiences with YMCA programs taught me the transformative power of community, and I’m deeply honored to carry that legacy forward.”

Stanfield McCown will assume her new role on July 7, 2025.