Laurie Goganzer is a purpose-driven leader with over 30 years of experience in the global YMCA movement, bringing life-changing programs to people in New Jersey, New York, and California. She is President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, one of largest YMCAs in New Jersey, strengthening more than 42,000 people in three counties, and highly regarded for its extensive counseling and social services. She leads a team of nearly 1,200 employees and 650 volunteers and oversees an operating budget of $25 million. Laurie works collaboratively with a 54-member Board of Directors and nearly 100 strategic community partners to build and sustain a strong, diverse Y. Laurie also currently serves as the CEO of the Ocean County YMCA as part of a management agreement since July of 2022.

A high point of Laurie’s career was directing a merger of The Community YMCA and YMCA of Western Monmouth County to establish a formidable countywide Y in 2019. Unifying the two Ys bolstered the nonprofit’s ability to support critical community needs during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The Y’s efforts were recognized and honored by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Monmouth-Ocean Development Council, Visiting Nurse Association, HABcore, and the New Jersey Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Additionally, the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County was named a recipient of the 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA award and a New Jersey Top Workplace by New Jersey Advance Media four years in a row, 2022 through 2025, reflecting Laurie’s commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive work environment.

Laurie’s career achievements have been celebrated by YMCA of the USA, which awarded her the Women of Excellence award in 2022; and by the Red Bank business community, which presented her the Shining Star Award in 2021 and Women of Influence Award in 2019.

With a passion to make a difference, Laurie serves on the Board of Trustees for the NJ Center for Non-Profits, the Grunin Foundation, NJ YMCA State Alliance, and NJ YMCA Young Professionals Network; Board of Directors for Monmouth County Workforce Development; Advisory Boards for Hackensack Meridian Health (Southern Region), Brookdale Community College and the Visiting Nurse Association; Advisory Council for Monmouth ACTS; and was appointed to the Monmouth County Economic Recovery Council in 2020. She also serves as Steering Committee Chair of the Mid Majors Network for Y CEOs in the United States and Canada and is a member of the YMCA of the USA National Board of Directors and the National Committee on Membership Standards for YUSA.

Laurie began her Y career in 1992 as a Program Director for the Tarrytown YMCA in Tarrytown, New York and went on to become Associate Executive Director for the Rye YMCA, also in New York. In 2003, Laurie relocated to California where she spent 15 years leading branch operations for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and YMCA of San Diego County. In Los Angeles, she was Senior Vice President overseeing operations of three branches, including the Anderson Munger Family YMCA, opened in 2014 following a $23 million capital campaign under her leadership. She also served as Group Vice President, Executive Director and Operations Executive for the Los Angeles Association. In San Diego, she served as Regional Vice President for the South Region and led four branches with an operating budget of nearly $20 million.

Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from The Kings College in New York, and her Non-Profit/Public Organizational Management Business Certificate from the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business. She is a proud alumnus of LeadNJ, and a sought-after inspirational speaker and presenter on nonprofit leadership.

Born and raised on the Jersey Shore, Laurie loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s relaxing at the beach, hiking with her dogs, camping with family, or catching waves on her surfboard. She also cherishes watching her son play hockey and enjoys the rewarding feeling of giving back to her community.