Recognizing a Rising Leader: Tabitha Ervin
Tabitha Ervin joined the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne in 2007. Over the last 14 years, she’s held positions as Program Director, Membership Director, Executive Director, and District Executive Director, and led the opening of the Jackson R. Lehman YMCA in 2017.
Tabitha participated in the Helene Foellinger Leadership Development Initiative’s Leadership Lab. As a Rising Leader, she and a dozen of her peers in the community gathered once a month for 12 months for all-day sessions, which also included out-of-classroom work and experiential learning opportunities.
Tabitha’s growth through the Leadership Lab was featured in The Journey, a 33-minute documentary following four participants through their year-long experience in the program. The Journey highlights the Leadership Lab’s innovative approach to helping nonprofit leaders develop adaptive leadership skills.
“One of the biggest things I learned in the Leadership Lab is that if it’s not scary, it’s not big enough. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone—and I carried that idea with me as I continued to lead our organization, and our community,” said Tabitha. “And it was hard and scary, especially in the face of a global pandemic. But, because of this program, I felt more equipped to be my bold self and create positive momentum and change.”
In 2021, Tabitha was promoted to Executive Director of Healthy Living for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, and she also serves as Co-Executive Director of the new Virtual YMCA online. She manages operations and leads a staff of 173.
“I still have to lead the rest of the team through the storm, and I know dedicating time to bettering myself as a leader ensures I can.”
—TABITHA ERVIN
Watch The Journey below: