YWCA St. Paul Announces Leadership Transition: Gaye Adams Massey Retires, Ashley Booker to Assume Role as CEO

The YWCA St. Paul Board of Directors today announced Ashley Booker, a dedicated advocate for equitable outcomes and a leader with deep roots in the St. Paul community, will succeed Gaye Adams Massey as CEO.  Massey, who has served as Chief Executive Officer for the last eight years, retired earlier this month.   

Board Chair Angela Finney remarked, “Gaye’s leadership has been transformative for YWCA St. Paul. Her unwavering commitment to our mission has driven significant growth and impact. As we bid her farewell into retirement, we are excited to welcome Ashley Booker, whose passion for equity and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission.” 

Ms. Booker, who will officially start as YWCA St. Paul’s new leader on August 21, 2023, currently holds the position of Executive Vice President of Learning & Impact for Planned Parenthood North Central States, where she has served in this role for the past four years. She has over 15 years of experience in education, program development, evaluation, fundraising, and community engagement.  She has also dedicated her career to advancing equity in Minnesota and brings a wealth of experience in advancing equitable outcomes, particularly for underserved communities. 

Ashley received her Bachelor of Arts in the Sociology from the University of Minnesota, and her Master of Arts in Education from Augsburg University.  She is a life-long Minnesotan with a proven dedication to East Metro and the Greater Twin Cities area.  

“Ashley’s deep community ties, her commitment to equity, and her proven leadership make her the ideal choice to lead YWCA St. Paul into its next chapter,” Finney reaffirmed. 

Booker said, “I am deeply honored to lead an organization that has such a profound impact on our community. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Gaye and working with the team to continue advancing our mission.” 

The YWCA St. Paul will host an event to welcome Ms. Booker. Details will be announced soon. 

For more information, please visit www.ywcastpaul.org. 

About YWCA St. Paul YWCA St. Paul is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. For more information, visit www.ywcastpaul.org. 

New Extended Hours Starting April 13!

Beginning Monday, April 13, the Health & Fitness Center will return to our 10:00 PM closing time Monday through Friday.

Weather Closure Notice - sunday, march 14

For the safety of our members and staff, YWCA St. Paul will be closed on Sunday, March 14 due to the statewide winter storm warning and potentially hazardous travel conditions.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we prioritize everyone’s safety during the severe weather.

We will continue to monitor conditions and share updates if needed. Please stay safe and warm.

Severe Weather Alert!

Due to severe weather conditions in our area, we have adjusted our operating hours to prioritize the safety of our members, staff, parents, and program participants.
Updated Hours:
  • Thursday, January 22: Gym closes early at 7:00 PM
  • Friday, January 23: Closed all day
  • Saturday, January 24: Reopens at 12:00 PM
Please stay safe and check back for updates as conditions evolve. Thank you for your understanding.