PEABODY — The YMCA of Metro North is stepping up its efforts to keep swimmers safe, by hiring Jessica Murray as its new association aquatics director.
Metro North President and CEO Kathleen Walsh said Murray comes to the Y with vast experience in aquatics leadership and that she will be working on training and staff development as well as policy compliance.
“We recognize that drowning is the leading cause of death for kids under the age of 5 and we wanted to add another layer to our commitment to safety,” said Walsh. “This is a brand new position that we have created and I am excited that Jessica will lead our association aquatics programs at the YMCA of Metro North. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in molding a culture of success, member satisfaction, and safety in the water.”
“I am thrilled to take on this important work and lean into this newly created association role,” says Murray. “I look forward to enhancing our aquatics programs and safety training and continue the stellar work being done at the YMCA of Metro North.”
Murray began her aquatics career in 2016 when she led the Aquatics Department at the YMCA in Lawrence. She managed a staff of more than 50 employees while improving overall program safety and quality. Murray’s background includes the development of emergency action plans, leading YMCA safety committees as well as teaching safety CPR/first aid training, and lifeguard courses. She also worked in aquatics at the Greater Lowell YMCA.
Murray served a short time in 2021 as the aquatics director at the YMCA of Metro North, where she oversaw the opening of two seasonal outdoor pools in Saugus and Peabody and hired more than 30 additional lifeguards.
Walsh said that in her new role, Murray will continue to develop the YMCA’s programming, including an expansion of swim lessons and other aquatics offerings. In her role, she will also enhance quality control systems, safety protocols, and lifeguard training in addition to leading the YMCA of Metro North’s annual Water Smart is Water Safe campaign.
“Our members and staff are getting a phenomenal professional, teacher, and role model to lead the expansion of our signature aquatics programs,” Walsh said. “She worked for us for a brief stint then came back because she really liked this opportunity and culture. We are so lucky to have her on the team!”
Murray holds a degree in kinesiology from San Diego State University and rowed for its Division 1 crew team. After college, she worked as a personal trainer and head coach for the Lowell High School crew team. She still volunteers her time organizing local regattas in Lowell, where she lives with her family.
To learn more about the Y’s aquatics programs, go to https://www.ymcametronorth.org/aquatics/.
The YMCA of Metro North is a leading Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization providing health, fitness, and youth development programs to the nearly 60,000 community members it serves annually. The association awards more than $1.2 million in financial assistance to members to attend the Y Academy early learning and after school programs, summer camps, and evidence-based health programs. The association instructs 5,000 swimmers and 200 lifeguards in swim safety every year. Learn more at www.ymcametronorth.org.
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
