YMCA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS SAIMAA VENKY AND MELINDA DIBENEDETTO

February 2023-The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board members: Saimaa Venky and Melinda DiBenedetto

Saimaa is a creative person and honed her skills in Mumbai working briefly with Bollywood as an Assistant Director after completing her post graduate degree in film and television production from Mumbai, India.  She also holds degree in Portrait Photography from New York Institute of Photography.  She actively volunteers and participates in organizing and facilitating YMCA cultural events and driving community needs, including providing free photography services for events including the annual YMCA 5K Run/Walk.  While proficient in English, Saimaa also speaks and understands Tamil, Hindi, Marathi, Gujrati as other vernacular languages.  Saimaa also serves as Chair of the Edison YMCA Branch Board, supporting and working with YMCA staff to explore ways to better serve the community.  Saimaa is passionate about fitness, and lives with her husband and her son, who is a senior at Rutgers University.

Melinda DiBenedetto is a career development professional working at the Center for Government Services within the Division of Continuing Studies at Rutgers University. She also works as a career practitioner in private practice, primarily with high school and college students. Previously, Melinda worked at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. where she held various client management and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leadership positions.  Melinda holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University, an MBA from Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Connecticut and a Certified Career Services Provider credential from the National Career Development Association.  In addition to Chair of the Metuchen YMCA Branch Board and Co-Chair of the YMCA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, her civic engagement includes STAR Scholarship Committee Chair for Chapter AI (Metuchen) of P.E.O., Treasurer of the New Jersey Career Development Association and member of the Financial Women’s Association. She currently resides in Metuchen with her husband, Rich, her son Daniel and daughter Julia.

“These individuals embody the vision of the YMCA and bring diverse talent and expertise to the table”, said John Dowd, Chairman of the Board of Directors.  “We are fortunate that they have joined our team to further the YMCA’s mission to strengthen our communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

YMCA Board members are responsible for establishing policy and strategic direction for the Y, as well as creating opportunities and establishing relationships that advance the YMCA’s mission and cause.

“The work of our YMCA is made possible because of our dedicated Board members who volunteer their time to share their energy, executive experience and passion for service with the Y”, said Rose Cushing, President & CEO of the YMCA of MEWSA.  “We know that they will make a meaningful contribution to our efforts as cause-driven leaders to make a lasting and positive change in our community.”

About the YMCA

The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy is a charitable, nonprofit organization devoted to supporting individuals and families—regardless of age, income or background—in their quest to realize their full potential through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each day we serve over 20,000 YMCA members and 1,000 children in childcare in five communities throughout Middlesex County.  The YMCA of MEWSA has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcaofmewsa.org.