YMCA of Greenville announces promotion of MaryEllis Petrosian to Chief Development Officer

YMCA of Greenville announced today the promotion of leadership team member MaryEllis Petrosian, CFRE, as she accepts additional responsibilities in association strategic initiatives to continue strengthening the Greenville community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

As chief development officer, Petrosian will develop and execute fundraising strategies, cultivate donors, and manage all YMCA of Greenville philanthropy efforts. She will work closely with the YMCA of Greenville’s Endowment board and will serve as the liaison to the Philanthropy Committee of the Association Board. Petrosian will build, lead, and manage an organization-wide strategic integration of the Association’s community impact, learning, and story-telling priorities as well as lead the cultivation and stewardship of new and current philanthropists, and business development of key products and services to maximize revenue. Additionally, Petrosian will collaborate with the vice presidents of operations and branch executives to lead the Development staff with their programmatic goals, and will oversee the annual fundraising campaign, major gifts, endowment, and capital campaign initiatives for all YMCA of Greenville branches.

Previously, Petrosian held the role of executive director of Foundation and Fundraising Innovation, where she annually increased the membership giving percentage for the Association, developed an engaged foundation volunteer board of directors, positioned the YMCA as a “charity of choice” for the investment of estate level gifts within the local community, and worked on donor research, grant development and general innovation and process improvement for the Development department. Under Petrosian, endowment hit an all-time high, and more than $850,000 was awarded in grants.

“I believe in our mission to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, and that what we do in the community is making Greenville better,” says Petrosian, whose involvement with the YMCA began as a child in the swim and soccer programs in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she grew up. “The Y is a space for anyone of any age and any background to experience something good. Whether it be playing soccer, taking a group exercise class, or volunteering with one of our many programs, everyone can find joy at the YMCA and I look forward to expanding on that.”

“MaryEllis’s commitment to growing donor relations and her passion for the YMCA’s mission has tremendously impacted our community,” says Sam Franklin, executive vice-president and chief operation officer of the YMCA of Greenville. “I have enormous faith in her as she transitions to this new role and can’t wait to see the continued mark she makes on the members of our community.”

Petrosian is a board member of Greenville Women Giving, Christ Church Endowment, Camp Alleghany for Girls, and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is a member of Junior League of Greenville, Greenville Clemson Club, Greenville Women Giving, is a moderator for Y-USA financial development community, and leader of statewide Alliance for Mission Advancement. In 2023, Petrosian was awarded the Jefferson Award as a Changemaker of the Upstate by Multiplying Good, and was named a Chamberlain Scholar for AFP South Carolina, Piedmont Chapter.

YMCA of Greenville offers professional growth opportunities to its high-achieving leadership. With a long-standing policy of promoting from within whenever possible, the organization will continue to benefit from the staff’s years of experience and knowledge, helping the YMCA of Greenville advance its mission and improve the overall impact the Y has on all communities it serves.

To learn more about the YMCA of Greenville and the projects, programs, and services it supports, visit https://www.ymcagreenville.org/.

About the YMCA of Greenville, SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include after-school care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered though four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, YMCA Judson Community Center and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government programs.

For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.