# John T. Ehrbar

> John T. Ehrbar is a career YMCA leader who, starting January 26, 2026, takes the helm as President and CEO of the YMCA of Silicon Valley after six years running YMCA Buffalo Niagara. He has spent over two decades inside the Y movement, climbing from a high school Leaders Club kid in northeast Ohio to running an 80-million-dollar nonprofit serving 2,300 staff across the Bay Area.

- **Role:** President & CEO at YMCA of Silicon Valley
- **Organizations:** YMCA of Silicon Valley, YMCA Buffalo Niagara, YMCA of the Inland Northwest, Lake County YMCA
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BS, Xavier University, Master of Education, Cleveland State University, MA, Strategic Leadership, St. Bonaventure University, Doctor of Education, United States Sports Academy, JD (enrolling), University at Buffalo School of Law
- **Known for:** Led YMCA Buffalo Niagara through six years of program growth and community partnership, Drove the 10 million dollar reimagining of the William-Emslie Y in East Buffalo, Scaled YMCA of the Inland Northwest operations to eight branches and 25 program sites

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Joined Lake County YMCA Leaders Club as a high schooler in northeast Ohio
- **Early 2000s** — Day Camp Activity Director and Camp Coordinator at Lake County Y while studying at Xavier
- **Post-college** — Sports and Teen Director, then branch executive and COO at Lake County YMCA
- **2013** — Moved to Spokane as VP of Operations, YMCA of the Inland Northwest
- **2017** — Promoted to COO, YMCA of the Inland Northwest - eight branches, 25 program sites
- **2018** — Led acquisition of Sandpoint West Athletic Club, converted to Litehouse YMCA
- **2019** — Named President & CEO of YMCA Buffalo Niagara
- **2024** — Announced 10 million dollar reinvestment in the William-Emslie Y in East Buffalo
- **2026** — Appointed President & CEO of YMCA of Silicon Valley, effective January 26

## Achievements

- Led YMCA Buffalo Niagara through six years of program growth and community partnership
- Drove the 10 million dollar reimagining of the William-Emslie Y in East Buffalo
- Scaled YMCA of the Inland Northwest operations to eight branches and 25 program sites
- Recipient of the NAYDO (North American YMCA Development Organization) award
- Holds four post-secondary degrees including a doctorate in education

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Officially begins as President & CEO of YMCA of Silicon Valley on January 26, 2026.
- **2025-10** — YMCA of Silicon Valley publicly announced his appointment.

## Links

- Website: https://ymcasv.org
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnehrbar/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/projectcornerstone

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