About Us

Women Posing Together, Empowering Women, YWCA Greater Los Angeles

Founded in 1894, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA GLA) mission is the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women. 

Our Vision

Through advocacy, empowerment, and economic advancement; we strengthen communities for women and girls to live, learn, and grow.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

YWCA MISSION

Our Team

  • Lori Carmon

    Lori Carmona

    Chief Executive Officer

  • A woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a white top and a navy blazer.

    Lisa Hirsch Marin

    Chief Program Officer

  • A man with dark skin, a bald head, and a full gray beard wearing a dark suit, white shirt, purple tie, and a lapel pin, sitting against a black background.

    Kwame Dow

    Chief People & Strategy Officer

Meet other members of our team

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

2025 – 2026 Officers

Kymberly Garrett
Board Chair
Principal/Managing Director, GarrettSpioni Group, LLC

Karen Miessner
Board Vice Chairwoman
Partner, SingerLewak LLP

Darcy Wilson-Jones
Board Treasurer
Partner, RSM

Corina Casco
Board Secretary
Chief Program Officer, Children’s Bureau of Southern California

Directors

Johanna Alvarez, CA Market Leader, Employee Benefits, IMA

Ilyana Benson, CEO, NeoSol Marketing Agency

Maredythe Cooper, Student, California State University, Long Beach

Tracy Gates, Client Service Manager, HUB International Insurance Services

Lindsay Hughes, McDonald’s Owner/Operator

Ronda Jackson, Serial Entrepreneur and Small Business Advocate

Stella Jiang, Senior Manager, Audit, Armanino LLP

Jennifer Lahoda, CEO, Pacific Resource Recovery

Scott D. Mayer, President, The Academy Group, Inc. and The Mayer Law Group, Professional Corporation

Caron Ng, Founder, NU-SET Inc.

Nicole Harper Rawlins, McDonald’s Owner/Operator

Staci Tomita, Real Estate Litigator, Shumener, Odson & Oh LLP

Karla Torres, Head of Community Engagement, Devices & Services, Amazon

Felix Whittaker, VP Senior Relationship Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Government & Not-for-Profit Banking

Brenda Zepeda, Insurance Consultant, Arthur J. Gallagher

Key Dates in YWCA History

  • 1858

    The first association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association, formed in New York City

  • 1946

    Interracial Charter adopted, starting the process of desegregation

  • 1960s

    Membership and leadership positions opened to non-Christians

  • 1963

    Direct Action Program begun to ensure full desegregation in community YWCAs

  • 1970

    The One Imperative (“To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”) adopted

  • 2015

    Corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”

Financial Statements

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!

Form 990

2023

2022

2021

2020

Impact Report

Each year, across Los Angeles, we support women and their families through holistic care, economic opportunities, and community connection.