Meet Susan Morton, CEO of the Westfield Area YMCA
The Westfield Area YMCA saw a significant leadership transition this summer as Susan Morton stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of former CEO Mark Elsasser.
Susan’s commitment and dedication to the Westfield Area YMCA spans over 35 years, starting with her early days an assistant director and kindergarten teacher. At that time, the Westfield Area YMCA had only one mixed-age early learning classroom. Under Susan’s leadership, child care programs expanded significantly, leading to her promotion to Director of Preschool and Early Learning.
One of Susan’s earliest achievements was her role in the 1991 agreement with the First Baptist Church of Westfield, leading to the establishment of the Early Learning Center YMCA. This expansion was a milestone for the Y, allowing them to expand early childhood programs for children 2.5 to 5 years. Over the years, the Early Learning Center underwent significant renovations, further extending their services to include children as young as 6 months old.
In 2005, Susan played a key role in the opening of the Robert and Virginia Bauer Family Branch YMCA, located in the former Christian Science Church on East Broad Street. Today, the Bauer Branch is home to several preschool classes, a full-day Kindergarten program, summer camp, and sports activities. Susan’s influence extended well beyond early learning, and she eventually took on the responsibility of overseeing all childcare programs within the YMCA.
Programs continued to flourish and expanded throughout the service area, with new branches opening in Garwood and Cranford and additional program sites in Mountainside. In 2015, Susan was promoted to Vice President of Operations, and in 2023, she stepped into the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Susan Morton was born and raised in Fanwood and now resides in Scotch Plains. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and relaxing by the beach. Both her personal and professional journey reflect the core values of the Y, and her experience and leadership promise a bright future for the Westfield Area YMCA.