The Natalie Norton Scholarship Fund
Natalie Norton ’83 dedicated her career to advancing the YMCA throughout the United States. She served for two years as the President and CEO of the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP), where she reinvigorated the organization and increased membership. Previously, Natalie served as Senior Vice President of Operations at the YMCA of Greater Boston. She also has held numerous other leadership positions with YMCAs in Massachusetts, Illinois, and Connecticut.
Additionally, Natalie worked as the National Chair of the Employee Resource Group of Y-USA Women's Leadership Network and is a member of the Y-USA Diversity and Inclusion Council. Most recently, she served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer for the Attleboro YMCA in Attleboro, Mass. As a proven leader in the YMCA movement, Natalie worked to enhance service to key constituents, enrich and grow the Ys many successful programs, and continue the pursuit of operational excellence.
Natalie received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health fitness from Springfield College. She also earned a certificate in Strategic Perspectives of Non-Profit Management, Executive Management from Harvard Business School. Natalie was certified as a Y-USA Organizational Leader.
Natalie passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, surrounded by her family.
About the Fund
The Natalie Norton Scholarship Fund was created in celebration and in honor of Natalie Norton’s long career that spanned work in New Canaan Conn., South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Mass., YMCA of Greater Boston, YMCA of Greater New York, the Attleboro YMCA, and roles with YMCA of the USA and leading the Association of YMCA Professionals. Preference for the scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a minor in the YMCA Professional Studies program who also exhibits a strong passion for and connection to the YMCA. The scholarship recipient should have past and/or current involvement or employment with the YMCA and a strong interest in pursuing a career with the YMCA following their graduation from Springfield College.
