Vanessa Castano, executive director of the YWCA Bradford, will leave the agency in August.
The Rev. Katherine Randall, president of the board of directors, made the announcement Tuesday.
“The YWCA Bradford is in the process of navigating leadership changes in the coming months due to retirements and career changes,” Randall said.
Castano’s nine years in charge of the agency have been packed with progress.
“Under her leadership, the YWCA Bradford has seen a significant increase in grant awards and endowment funds and has broadly expanded its community presence,” Randall said.
She said the strong presence of the YWCA has been noted by Daniel Wertz, administrator for McKean County Health and Human Services.
“Vanessa really believes that everyone has a lot of potential and that we can make great things happen when we all work together. Because of her dedication, the YWCA is a trusted community partner which contributes to making our neighborhoods better places for all so they can pursue their dreams,” Wertz said.
In recent years, Castano successfully led the YWCA Bradford through a capital campaign for the construction of a new programs and services building, opening soon on Congress Street.
“Vanessa has been an invaluable asset to our organization for the past nine years and contributed significantly to our collective success,” Randall said. “The YWCA Bradford expanded all programs during this time.”
She explained Housing and Employment Services made its shelter space available to all genders and increased accessibility. The Victims Resource Center expanded services to include rapid rehousing and transitional living services for domestic violence victims.
With the addition of a donated property, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services was able to provide affordable rentals and support for men with mental illness. Moreover, the YWCA created its first development and marketing program and implemented uniform guidance procedures for financial accountability.
Castano led the agency through the pandemic with two shelters and at-home services.
“Vanessa has been a strategic, visionary leader for the YWCA. Her dedication to the mission of the YWCA is inspiring, and we are better for having had the opportunity to work with her. Vanessa’s attention to detail and willingness to think creatively brought our organization national recognition and raised it to a level of excellence that was recognized with a seven-figure gift from a globally known philanthropist,” said Randall.
She said that during Castano’s tenure, the board has reengaged in regular strategic planning, annual retreats that further understanding of and education in YWCA services, and has transitioned to a gender-neutral membership, recruiting the first man as a director in the agency’s 109-year history.
“Vanessa is the definition of community! She has been a humble champion for individuals in need, always putting them first in her decisions as executive director,” said Mick and Michelle Marshall.
Randall said the board is beginning the process of choosing the next leader of the agency.
“We are in the process of forming a search committee and finalizing a job description.”
