Tim Helm

Tim Helm currently serves as the 12th President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Region YMCA, one of the region’s leading nonprofits serving more than a quarter-million individuals annually through programs and services that nurture the potential of every child and teen, promote health and well-being, and encourage positive social change.

Tim came to the Gateway Region YMCA in 2014, and in his first year, led the successful merger of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis and the YMCA of Southwest Illinois to become the Gateway Region YMCA. Tim also launched the Association’s long-term strategic planning process that guides organizational excellence, cultural improvement, and social responsibility to most effectively respond to growing community needs and position the Y for continued growth in the region. Since Tim arrived, the Association has grown from just over 38,000 membership units with an annual budget of $52 million, to more than 55,000 membership units with a $75 million budget.

Prior to joining the Gateway Region YMCA, Tim served as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton. During his tenure there, the Dayton Y grew from a $4.7 million annual budget with four branches and 2,100 membership units to a $25 million budget with 11 branches and approximately 20,000 membership units.

Before 2002, Tim held several other positions with the Dayton Y, including Branch Executive, Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President. Before joining the Dayton Y in 1996, Tim served a variety of roles for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati from 1989-1996. Tim has also assumed leadership positions on a number of national committees, including as the Chair of the YMCA Mid-Majors Group and as the Vice Chair for the National Board of Directors for the Association of YMCA Professionals and currently serves on the YMCA Employee Benefits Committee, the YNAN Steering Committee and the YMCA Guardians for Child Protection.

Tim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Tim is married to Heather May, and between the two of them, they have seven children.