Episode 6: Jeff Merhige — Create Magic

Jeff Merhige has spent over 30 years with the YMCA, starting as a camp counselor and now serving as President and CEO of the YMCA of Pawtucket, overseeing branches, early learning centers, and camps across Lincoln, Pawtucket, and Coventry, Rhode Island. He still wears a polo and a name tag that just says “Jeff.” In this episode, Jeff talks with Lauren about the hardest call of his career — closing the Woonsocket Y — and the whirlwind year that followed: rebuilding Camp Westwood, opening a high school inside the downtown Pawtucket Y, and overhauling the organization’s culture from the ground up. He also opens up about discovering “cultural management” through a book on Disney’s leadership philosophy, why his org chart is literally upside down, and what he tells every YMCA family: you should feel like you’re on vacation, even at the pool in Rhode Island.  Connect with Jeff Merhige / YMCA of Pawtucket: 🔗 Website: https://ymcapawtucket.org/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ymca_of_pawtucket/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmerhige/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PawtucketFamilyYMCA/ Connect with the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce: 🔗 Website: https://www.nrichamber.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrichamber/  💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nrichamber  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nrichamber  Work & Wonder is a production of the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Coastal1 Credit Union.