Dr. Hedy Lemar Walls

Dr. Hedy Lemar Walls is the chief social responsibility officer for the YMCA of the North, providing leadership for sustaining and growing programs and strategies that demonstrate significant community impact on critical issues such as education, poverty, and employment. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in engaging communities, particularly communities of color, building long-term relationships and supports, and developing collaborations and partnerships with community stakeholders to include for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Hedy is responsible for providing leadership for the development of a strategic framework for comprehensive research-based programs, services, and initiatives that support urban and underserved communities in partnership with key stakeholders and community partners. She played a significant role in developing the diversity and inclusion and Global Centers for Excellence strategies and service deliveries and leads the diversity, inclusion, and global community engagement initiatives and collaborations with community stakeholders and organizations. Her work in establishing collaborations with the association, branches, nonprofit organizations, corporations, higher educational institutions, and other community stakeholders has led to the development and leverage of shared resources.

Hedy started at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities (now YMCA of the North) in 2009 as the executive director of the University YMCA, providing leadership and support for student development initiatives for college students attending the University of Minnesota. Before coming to the YMCA, Hedy worked in corporate, urban, and suburban school districts. She held several administrative positions for Minneapolis Public Schools providing leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of researched-based high-quality youth development and parent engagement programs.

Hedy has a BS from Southern University, an MBA from the University of Minnesota, a specialist degree from Minnesota State University, and an EdD from St. Mary’s University.