Staff Directory

Richard West

Chief Executive Officer

Rich West joined the YMCA of Northern Utah in 2006. As Chief Executive Officer, Rich is responsible for strategic development and implementation for the organization. He also oversees operations as a whole: scheduling, directing, leading, troubleshooting, development and sales while managing finances and budgets. Rich’s background is in youth, health, and recreation management where he has thrived in growing and expanding programs. Rich has an MBA from Westminster College, an MS in Nutrition Science and Education from CSU Chico, and a BS in Biology from UC San Diego. Originally from Utah and spending his later childhood and early adulthood in San Diego, CA, Rich has an affinity for the mountains and the ocean. He loves spending his time skiing, mountain biking, hiking, surfing, camping, and reading by a camp fire with his wife and two sons.

Ashley Radel

Chief Financial Officer

Ashley Radel joined the YMCA of Northern Utah as Controller in 2018. She leads the organization's financial reporting, financial analysis and internal controls functions. Ashley is thrilled to fulfill her dream of working for a nonprofit organization that helps children, families and communities improve their lives and become the most successful versions of themselves. Throughout her career Ashley has worked in the e-commerce, corporate training, construction and mining equipment, insurance, and vision care industries. Ashley holds an MBA from Utah State University and a BS in Accounting from Utah Valley University. She lives in Sandy, Utah with her husband and five children. In her off time, Ashely can be found at plays, concerts, or local sporting events!

Katja Hurst

Director of Operations

Katja Hurst recently joined the YMCA Northern Utah team as the Director of Operations. She started her career as a Teacher and Family Advocate for the OWCAP-run Head Start program in 1999. She spent 6 years in classrooms advocating, teaching, and learning with hundreds of Utah’s coolest kiddos and fellow educator teams. In 2005, after having her own children, she began her journey into Utah’s private childcare sector. She was fortunate to impact child care centers as a director and focused on providing safe, affordable, and fun classroom environments with her team. In 2013, she was asked to lead Discovery Clubhouse, first as a Regional Director and later as CEO. During her time with Discovery Clubhouse, she was able to help provide care for over 800 children a day across Utah and support direct care teams, managers, and directors. She learned a lot about large-scale operations during her time with Discovery Clubhouse and was able to grow the organization from 5 centers to 7, in just 5 years. Katja left her home country of Germany and immigrated to the US. She and her husband are proud parents to 6 children: 4 girls (24, 22, 21, and 17) and 2 boys (16 and 14). They are also proud grandparents of 2 and absolutely adore their sons-in-law. They are always planning the next trip or family activity and love glamping/RV-ing, boating, hiking, snowboarding/ skiing, and traveling together.

Pam Higginson

Director of Advancement

Raised in Utah, Pam Higginson joins the YMCA of Northern Utah Leadership team with over 25 years of nonprofit experience. Before coming to her role at the Y, Pam served worked as VP of Major Gifts for Utah, Hope Lodge Campaign Director in Utah, and National Principle Gift Officer over Cancer Control and Prevention with the American Cancer Society. Prior to the American Cancer Society, Pam worked at her alma mater, Weber State University for nearly 10 years. She enjoyed development work as the Director of Development for the Ezekiel R. Dumke and Edna Wattis Dumke College of Health Professions and the Stewart Library. At the university, a true love and appreciation for fundraising, donors, and the differences they can make in the lives of those they supported were established and eventually has grown into a passion. She states, “We each have the ability to make a difference in our own unique and special way. Pam’s leadership skills have not gone unnoticed by the community. She has served on numerous boards through the years from the President of the Utah Musical Theater and the Ogden Musical Theatre to the Board Chair, of the Utah Planned Giving Round Table and the Dumke College of Health Professions. Pam carries with her an appreciation for non-profit organizations in Utah and across the country and values the hard work and impact they have in all of our lives. Pam carries on her family’s tradition of service through work, community and faith.

Rhonda Clark

Salt Lake Regional Director

Rhonda Clark joined the YMCA of Northern Utah as a Lead Preschool Teacher in 2016. Now, as the Regional Director, she has developed a love for the work the Y does in truly making the world a better place for families and communities. She started working in the field of youth development right out of high school at the age of 18, and continued her education earning a degree in Early Childhood Studies. With over 25 years’ experience in the Early Childhood Development field and as a Child Care facility owner, Rhonda has proven to be a strong advocate for Youth Development for youth of all ages. While living in West Wendover, Nevada for 18 years, Rhonda dedicated her time outside of her child care facility by volunteering at the local recreation center by helping create a space where the youth in the community could thrive and have a safe space to be creative, care-free, and develop friendships. She organized, refereed, and coached youth sports and organized many other events to benefit the community. Giving back to the community and helping youth from a remote, low income area was what fostered a lifelong dedication to Youth Development and access for all. Rhonda enjoys camping, vacationing, and being the best Nana ever. Her world revolves around her husband Rick of 30 years, her 4 children and her 4 grandchildren. Her family might say that her world also revolves around her Boston Terrier Bowie.

Stefanie Zwygart

Weber Regional Director

Stefanie began her non-profit journey back in 1999 as an AmeriCorps member with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, teaching students environmental education on the beach. That experience and her student teaching experience helped her realize her passion for teaching and non-profit management. After completing her bachelor’s degree in education, she later returned to school and earned a Master of Science in Natural Recourses. Her thesis focused on training new educators in the field. In 2009, upon completing her degree, she moved to Ogden, Utah, and became the director of education at the Ogden Nature Center. It was there that she expanded the education outreach statewide as an iSEE (informal Science Education Enhancement) partner organization. She also worked to expand the summer camp programs, created an outdoor classroom and nature playscape, and provided safety and certification opportunities for education staff. As a Leadership Northern Utah graduate, Ogden Chamber member, and board member for the Ogden Preparatory Academy, Stefanie loves being involved in our community. She says. "what a wonderful place to live, especially with community resources like the YMCA!" In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband, two children, and our dog. She has a deep love for science and the environment, so if you need unique STEM activities or just want to talk about crazy animal adaptations, she's happy to chat anytime!

Ben Wittig

Director of Camping

Ben Wittig joined the YMCA of Northern Utah in 2021 as the YMCA Mill Hollow Director. Ben's role as the Director of Camping is to oversee the administration and operations of our two overnight camps, YMCA Mill Hollow and YMCA Camp Roger, as well as our Winter Sports programs. Ben grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he started his YMCA journey as a camper at YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya in Wisconsin - and he never really left camp. While receiving his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and his M.S. in Recreation Management from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Ben simultaneously worked at YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya to stay involved and grow his skills within the camp industry. Ben's love for camp continues to grow, as he loves to provide opportunities for youth and staff alike to gain community, autonomy, and an incredible outdoor experience. He is involved with the camp movement nationally as a member of the Camp Inclusion Project and the Mid-America Camping Conference Committee. Ben lives in Salt Lake City with his fiancée and their dog, Mae, and they enjoy skiing, hiking, and all the recreation the city has to offer. Ben is a true Wisconsinite when it comes to his love of sports and can always be seen checking news, scores, and updates about his favorite teams, the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Chelsea Kauffman

Director of Engagement

Chelsea Kauffman joined the YMCA of Northern Utah as the Administrative Director for the Weber region in 2019. Now as the Association Administrative Director, she oversees the organization's program registration, financial assistance, and customer service. Chelsea is honored to work at an organization that welcomes all and inspires the community to live the four Y values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Chelsea holds a BS in Theatrical Arts and Stage Management from Utah Valley University and an MFA in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University. With her love for the arts, she has been committed to transforming lives as an Exhibit Manager for the Southern Utah Museum of Art, an Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and an Annual Campaign Manager for Utah Symphony Utah Opera. After moving to Utah in 2009 from Pittsburg, California, Chelsea has fallen in love with Utah and made this honeybee state her beloved home. She lives in Ogden, Utah with her husband of 9 years who serves in the Army National Guard and her two children. In her free time, Chelsea can be found playing Pokemon, reading, or painting.

Mary Gilson

Director of Day Camps

Mary Gilson has built her life around two things: getting kids outdoors and building community. With a career spanning camp leadership, youth development, and hands-on education, she has dedicated herself to creating spaces where children can unplug, take risks, and discover what they’re capable of. Before joining the YMCA, Mary ran summer camps that welcomed over 2,300 kids annually, trained staff in everything from kayaking and archery to high ropes and wilderness survival and served as a Special Olympics Equestrian Coach. She’s also taught science in schools that lacked funding for full-time educators and worked directly with children overcoming behavioral and academic challenges. Whether leading Girl Scout troops, coaching teens in Search and Rescue, or organizing adventure-based learning programs, she has always believed that growth happens when kids step outside their comfort zones. As a mother of five, Mary understands firsthand how vital it is for children to explore, play, and push their limits—especially in a world so dominated by screens. When she’s not at camp, she’s hiking, biking, swimming, or boating with her own crew, modeling the same adventurous, community-driven spirit she hopes to instill in every camper. Her camp name? Goofy. And for good reason—she’s always the first to dive into camp themes, bring the energy, and make kids feel right at home in the great outdoors. This summer, Mary is bringing her passion for outdoor adventure, skill-building, and child-centered learning to YMCA Day Camps. Her goal? Make every camper’s summer their best one yet.