# Chuck Collins

> Chuck Collins (Charles M. Collins) is a Harvard-trained lawyer, MIT city planner, and former real estate developer who spent nearly two decades as President and CEO of YMCA of Greater San Francisco, transforming it into an organization serving more than 42,000 children annually across three Bay Area counties. Born in San Francisco's Fillmore district in 1947 and raised as one of the first Black families in Mill Valley, he brings a lifetime of crossing boundaries to his work at the intersection of community, equity, and opportunity. Now a Presidential Fellow at USF's Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service, he continues to shape the region's civic life.

- **Role:** Presidential Fellow at Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, University of San Francisco
- **Organizations:** YMCA of Greater San Francisco (President/CEO, 2004-2020), WDG Ventures, Inc. (President & Chairman, 1983-2002), University of San Francisco - Leo T. McCarthy Center (Presidential Fellow, 2023-present), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) - Vice Chair, San Francisco Arts Commission - President, Commonwealth Club - Board Member, National Urban League - Senior Vice Chairman, World Alliance of YMCAs - Special Advisor
- **From:** San Francisco, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** High School Diploma, Tamalpais High School, B.A. with Honors (History and History of Art), Williams College, Diploma, Athens Centre for Ekistics, Master of City Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), J.D., Harvard Law School, Honorary Doctorate, University of San Francisco
- **Known for:** Led YMCA of Greater San Francisco for nearly two decades (2004-2020), serving 42,000+ children annually across Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties, Received the 2019 Silver SPUR Award recognizing outstanding Bay Area civic contributions, Named Senior Vice Chairman of the National Urban League (2005); Charles Collins Award established in his honor

## Career timeline

- **1947** — Born in San Francisco's Fillmore community
- **1950s** — Family moved to Mill Valley - among the first African-American families to settle there
- **1965** — Graduated from Tamalpais High School
- **—** — Earned B.A. with honors from Williams College (double major: History and History of Art)
- **—** — Studied at Athens Centre for Ekistics
- **—** — Earned Master of City Planning from MIT
- **—** — Earned J.D. from Harvard Law School
- **—** — Served as Deputy Secretary, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, State of California
- **—** — Directed comprehensive urban study for City and County of San Francisco, resulting in the Downtown Plan
- **1983** — Founded WDG Ventures, Inc. - real estate investment and development
- **1990s** — Developed The Metreon and Four Seasons Hotel and Condominiums in San Francisco
- **1991** — Joined SFMOMA board (serving through CEO tenure)
- **2002** — Co-edited 'A Day in the Life of Africa' with David Elliot Cohen
- **2002** — Stepped down from WDG Ventures
- **2003** — Received Williams College Bicentennial Award
- **2004** — Became President and CEO of YMCA of San Francisco
- **2005** — Named Senior Vice Chairman of the National Urban League
- **2018** — Received Honorary Doctorate from University of San Francisco
- **2019** — Received Silver SPUR Award for outstanding contributions to the Bay Area
- **2020** — Stepped down as YMCA CEO; succeeded by Jamie Bruning-Miles
- **2021** — Served as Special YMCA Advisor to COP26 in Glasgow, focused on youth climate activism
- **2023** — Appointed Presidential Fellow at USF's Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service

## Achievements

- Led YMCA of Greater San Francisco for nearly two decades (2004-2020), serving 42,000+ children annually across Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties
- Received the 2019 Silver SPUR Award recognizing outstanding Bay Area civic contributions
- Named Senior Vice Chairman of the National Urban League (2005); Charles Collins Award established in his honor
- Developed landmark San Francisco projects including The Metreon and Four Seasons Hotel and Condominiums
- Directed the Downtown Plan for the City and County of San Francisco
- Co-edited 'A Day in the Life of Africa' (2002) - photographed by 100 leading photojournalists
- Author/editor of 'The African Americans: A Celebration of Achievement'
- Special YMCA Advisor to COP26 in Glasgow (2021) on youth climate activism
- Named Presidential Fellow at USF's Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service (2023)
- Received Honorary Doctorate from University of San Francisco (2018)
- Received Williams College Bicentennial Award (2003)
- Served as Vice Chair of SFMOMA since 1991
- Served as President of San Francisco Arts Commission

## Latest updates

- **2023-03** — Named Presidential Fellow at the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco
- **2021-11** — Served as Special YMCA Advisor to COP26 in Glasgow, focused on youth climate activism
- **2020-07** — Stepped down as President/CEO of YMCA of Greater San Francisco after nearly two decades; succeeded by Jamie Bruning-Miles

## Links

- Website: https://ymcasf.org
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-collins-46590410
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/chuck9622
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/YMCASF/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/chuck-collins
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-30