Holyoke Boys & Girls competitors

Jim Clark joined Boys & Girls Clubs of America as president and CEO in January 2012. He leads a network of 4,300 Boys & Girls Clubs that serve nearly 4 million young people annually in all 50 states, in large cities and small towns, in public housing and on Native lands, and on U.S. military installations across the globe. More than 50,000 professional staff members operate the Clubs, supported by some 285,000 board and program volunteers. Jim has guided the organization through the launch of an exciting new strategic direction, the Great Futures Impact Plan. Under his leadership, Clubs are increasing impact on the young people they serve by focusing on three priority outcome areas - Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. To ensure BGCA provides the best possible service to Clubs, Jim has spearheaded a major restructuring of the national organization. He has introduced innovative programming that supports the three outcome areas in ways that are fun and engaging - such as state-of-the-art STEM initiatives, and Brain Gain, a program to combat summer learning loss.

Joe Sanders is a renowned character leadership development expert. He is a retired Air Force Colonel and the former Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development, United States Air Force Academy. Joe earned his PhD in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Colorado State University in 2003. He has authored and published several articles and book chapters on topics ranging from transformational leadership and servant leadership to organizational spirituality and moral development. In addition, Joe has delivered over 2,000 lectures and workshops on these topics to a variety of audiences. Joe has served his community in multiple capacities. In addition to currently serving as CEO of Colorado UpLift, Joe is an adjunct professor at UCCS. He is also the founder of Touchstone Leadership Academy which focuses on creating new possibilities for current and future leaders in underserved communities. He has regularly hosted and keynoted church conferences and retreats, taught Bible classes, and led a local ministry for the homeless in Colorado Springs, CO. However, Joe’s most significant contribution to the community is his family. He and his wife, Lourdes, are the proud parents of Isaiah, Jasmine, and Josiah.