Welcome Stephen Petty as new 5 Healthy Towns Foundation CEO

Patrick Conlin, current Chair of the 5 Healthy Towns Board of Directors and member of the CEO search committee stated, “Steve’s experience at the YMCA and his natural skills as a leader make him an excellent CEO choice to balance internal management responsibilities with the external visibility that is vital to achieving the strategic goals of 5 Healthy Towns.”

submitted by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation

Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF), whose mission is to cultivate improvements in personal and community wellness in Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge Michigan, is pleased to announce Stephen D. Petty as the new Chief Executive Officer of 5HF. Steve will join the Foundation in mid-July as the successor to Amy Heydlauff, who is retiring from that position after 12 years.

Steve has held numerous positions over the last 15 years at the Ann Arbor YMCA, most recently as Vice President of Healthy Living & Social Responsibility. His responsibilities included oversight of health & wellness programs and facilities, aquatics, youth sports & camps, teen programming, community-based programming, dance and arts. Steve also provided leadership to health management initiatives, developing referral systems and community partnerships to advance health intervention programs such as Livestrong, Diabetes Prevention Program, Moving for Better Balance, Enhance Fitness, Pedaling for Parkinson’s and Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring. Steve brings experience building authentic collaborations to better meet the needs of members, patrons and community partners.

Steve earned his BA (Hons) in Media and Cultural Studies at University of Manchester, England and holds certificates in Content Strategy (Northwestern University) and Business Strategy (University of Virginia). Steve lives in Dexter with his wife Gemma, and two children, Lochlan and Georgiana.

5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) is a tax-exempt, private foundation governed by a volunteer board of directors representing populations included in the school-districts of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge, generally referred to as the 5HF service area. Their strategies include supporting coalitions focused on improving health in their communities. They also own and operate three wellness centers and are part of the One Big Thing collaboration. One Big Thing is intent on enhancing connections, optimism, resiliency and engagement in the 5HF region. For more information visit 5healthytowns.org or email info@5healthytowns.org.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.