Tony Duckworth to lead Albany-area YMCA
ALBANY — When Tony Duckworth stepped away from his role as Albany State University's athletic director in 2023, he didn't expect his next opportunity to come from one of Albany's most community-centered institutions: the YMCA.
In June, Duckworth will officially take over as director of the Albany-area YMCA, following the retirement of longtime leader Dan Gillan.
'I wanted to stay in Albany,' Duckworth said. 'That was the deciding factor.'
After leaving Albany State, Duckworth turned down several out-of-town opportunities before accepting a position with Syneos Health, a pharmaceutical company. But even as he settled into that role, he kept an eye out for meaningful leadership opportunities in the Albany area.
Off the clock, he remained a familiar face in the community, officiating high school basketball and baseball games and writing a popular weekly column for The Albany Herald.
The Path to the YMCA
It was a connection from his time on the NCAA Division II basketball selection committee that first introduced Duckworth to the idea of YMCA leadership. A fellow athletic director on the committee had taken a CEO role at a Pennsylvania YMCA shortly after Duckworth left ASU.
'That was the first time I really considered nonprofit leadership,' Duckworth said. 'It stayed in the back of my mind.'
When Gillan announced his plans to retire, a local Albany State booster let Duckworth know about the opening. He applied, and after what he called an 'exhaustive' interview process, he was selected to lead the organization.
Similar Roles, New Mission
Transitioning from collegiate athletics to a nonprofit organization may seem like a shift, but Duckworth sees plenty of overlap.
'There are a lot of parallels,' he said. 'As a Division II athletic director, you wear many hats—staffing, budgeting, resolving complaints, running events, sweeping floors, driving buses, and fundraising. That's very similar to nonprofit leadership.'
At the YMCA, Duckworth is especially motivated by programs that serve youth and families in need.
'We're feeding kids who might not get another meal that day,' he said. 'Feeding the Valley provides those meals, and both our afterschool programs and our partners at Easter Seals benefit from that relationship. It's a mission-driven operation that calls for creativity and compassion.'
Listening First, Then Leading
Rather than implementing immediate changes, Duckworth said his first few months on the job will be focused on understanding the organization's people and culture.
'For the first three to six months, I'm going to be listening,' he said. 'I want to understand the day-to-day operations, the roles of our team, and the needs of our members. If I'm asking questions, it's not to challenge—it's to learn.'
Growth and Facility Improvements
Though large-scale changes aren't imminent, Duckworth said improvements are already underway thanks to federal funding secured by Gillan through U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.
'Members at the Gillionville Road facility will see aesthetic upgrades around the indoor pool and behind-the-scenes work that's just as important,' Duckworth said. 'A new HVAC system is also going into the gym.'
Looking further ahead, he's excited about potential expansion, especially at the Lee County YMCA.
'There's a lot of development happening in that area,' he said. 'Our board is forward-thinking, and I hope to be a strong voice as we plan for future growth.'
For Duckworth, leading the YMCA feels like a natural extension of his passion for serving people.
'The Y is truly a one-stop shop,' he said. 'It's the only place in town that serves everyone—from elementary school kids to senior citizens. No one else does what the YMCA does, and I'm honored to help continue that mission.'
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