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FROM STAFF REPORTS 

BIRMINGHAM – Ashley Waid was named as the new executive director of the Alabaster and Pelham YMCA branches, the YMCA of Greater Birmingham has announced.

Waid joins the Birmingham association from the YMCA of Tuscaloosa County. There, she served as CEO over two YMCA branches, the downtown Tuscaloosa YMCA Family Center, the Benjamin Barnes YMCA in the West End community and 70-acre Camp Y’s Acres.

During her time with the Tuscaloosa Y, she was instrumental in the design, construction and relocation of the downtown Tuscaloosa YMCA in 2015. Waid also brings a wealth of knowledge in board development, fundraising and has a strong desire to serve the Birmingham community.

An avid fitness buff with a master’s degree in education, Waid has always been driven by her passions. She became certified as a group fitness instructor for the Y while teaching elementary school in Tuscaloosa. At the same time, she was serving on the board of directors of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa and creating opportunities for women and children in the community.

“Our children are our future and we don’t need to wait,” Waid said.

She was officially “called to the Y” in 2014 during her leadership role with the Junior League and Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa’s Adopt-A-School program.

“There are so many parallels between the work I’ve done and the Y’s mission. Strengthening our communities is what the Y does best,” Waid said.

Having previously lived in Alabaster, Waid is happy to get back to Birmingham and the community she loves so much.

“I’ve always loved Birmingham and it is great to be coming home,” she said.

Waid comes back to Birmingham with her husband, Landon; daughter, Garrett Grace; son, Brother; and their mini golden-doodle named Dolly.

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham is a charitable organization dedicated to making our community a healthier place to live. Throughout the Greater Birmingham area, the Y is engaged in every neighborhood, nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving the community’s health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support others. That’s why we focus on our work in three areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Learn more about the YMCA of Greater Birmingham at Ymcabham.org.