Mr. Mike Van Haelewyn, Senior Director, Diversity, Inclusion and Global Strategic Advancement:  Mike joined Y-USA in 2005, following 11 years with local Ys in Virginia, India and South Africa.  Mike has led the development of the National Diversity, Inclusion and Global Innovation Network and has provided oversight and strategic direction to the growth of the Network.  Between 2008 and 2019, the DIG Innovation Network has grown from eight to more than 87 YMCA Associations – which collectively reach nearly 11 million individuals across the U.S.   Y-USA’s national inclusion and equity strategy is grounded in a core operational framework to guide systems-change, as well as a complex eco-system for learning and innovation.  Mike has been instrumental in leading the development of key national training designs from Cultural Lenses to the Strengthening Inclusion training series, as well as the introduction of the YMCA Global Leadership Certification pathway.  In addition, Mike leads the national effort to expand support and services to new immigrant populations, including strategies to launch and scale New American Welcome Centers across U.S. YMCAs as well as the implementation of a national project in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Mike been involved in the coordination of the US YMCA movement’s participation in three YMCA Europe Youth Events – reaching nearly 1,,500 U.S. youth; and the organization of U.S. YMCA leadership participation in 4 YMCA World Councils in Durban, South Africa, Hong Kong, Estes Park, CO.,  and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Mike holds a Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communications from Penn State University, and a Masters Degree in Public Service Administration from DePaul University in Chicago.  Mike and his wife, Lisa, have a 13 year old son, Luc and a 8 year old, Ben.