Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Community Service
Timeline
Generic

Kionta Carter

Spring,TX

Summary

Skilled non-profit leader with 17+ years of service to the YMCA who has the instinct, intuition, and experience to spark the very best in individuals and teams. A servant leader with a deep history of community outreach and volunteerism, demonstrating the value of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. Proven skill devising and implementing strategies to develop membership, volunteer, fundraising, and policy programs. Experienced at ensuring execution of sound accounting procedures, investment policies, and financial controls, while assigning clear accountability and continuous improvement protocols to staff. Energetic, personable, dedicated, and well-organized, who thrives in a fast paced, challenging work environment. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, able to influence to attain buy-in and support of aggressive goals.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Career Hiatus

Caregiver
01.2025 - 06.2025
  • Took a career hiatus to dedicate my time and energy full-time to caring for a beloved family member facing terminal health challenges. This experience deepened my compassion and understanding of the emotional and physical demands of caregiving during such difficult times.

Chief Executive Officer (Interim-contracted)

Civic Heart Community Services
12.2023 - 12.2024
  • Lead a $16 million public health organization with a focus on diversity, equity, and social justice initiatives. Provide strategic leadership in organizational development, programming, implementation, and evaluation. Spearhead a culture of philanthropy with a strong record in fundraising and grant acquisition. Lead and manage a dedicated team of over 80 staff members and board volunteers to ensure program success. Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, donors, patrons, and stakeholders to enhance support and collaboration. Foster a strong connection to Houston, focusing on the history, culture, and diverse population. Develop and manage budgets, ensuring proper oversight and alignment with organizational goals, saving the organization $700k in operational efficiencies.
  • Established foundational processes for business operations.
  • Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers and vendors, ensuring cost-effective procurement processes.
  • Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
  • Identified new revenue generation opportunities to maximize bottom-line profitability.
  • Improved operational efficiency by redesigning internal processes and implementing cutting-edge technology solutions.
  • Addressed employee and managerial concerns and implemented corrective actions to promote compliance.

Vice President, Community Impact and Center Operations

YMCA of Greater Houston Association
03.2017 - 10.2023
    • Provide strategic leadership and direction to the operational activities of 12 YMCA centers with an $18M operating budget, including the member experience, centralized Outreach and Healthy Living, local grass-roots marketing, youth & family programs, board and staff development, drive $800k philanthropy goals, community relations and collaborations with community agencies. Instrumental leader in the implementation of the Equity Innovation Center and leader of EMLIE regional events.
    • Drive strategic processes as part of the senior management team to the achievement of the organization's purpose, goals, and objectives of promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Key contributions:
    • Recruit, hire, train, develop, and direct employees and volunteers, including oversight of five full time direct reports and provide leadership for up to 200 staff.
    • Enhanced board development and lead assigned volunteer committees.
    • Spearheaded fundraising efforts to meet the center's $220K annual support goals.
    • Represent and promote the YMCA in the local community and develop positive working relationships with other organizations, businesses, and governmental entities.
    • Develop, manage, and balance a $7.5M operating budget, recommending adjustments as necessary to maintain operations at the largest branch with nearly 10,000 units.
    • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
    • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
    • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
    • Promotions: Director of Operations, Community Executive Director, District Executive Director

Healthy Living Senior Director

Brenda and John Duncan YMCA
04.2014 - 09.2017
    • Supervised the growth and success of Healthy Living programs and services with an emphasis in personal training, healthy living, and group exercise for families, teens, and active older adults. Embodied and upheld service and engagement best practices by developing teams while aggressively expanding the YMCA's impact through revenue generating programs. Proactively directed the department toward specific member satisfaction and a reduction in monthly terminations to meet revenue expectations and budgeted bottom line. Key contributions:
    • Recruited, trained, and coached a staff of four full-time and 90 part-time staff.
    • Managed a $2.5M operational budget, forecasting and monitoring four total department budgets (Youth Sports, Aquatics, Wellness, and Childwatch).
    • Served as Interim Community Executive Director for branch operations, Marketing Compliance Director, and Summer Camp Director for Obesity Camp for 45 children.
    • Managed and secured donations for Annual Support Campaign with a $130K goal.
    • Cultivated community relationships, recruited volunteers, and organized “Togetherhood” volunteer projects.

Senior Director of Member Impact (Associate Executive Director)

Grove City YMCA
03.2008 - 04.2014
  • Supported the Executive Director with overall operations, including the management of Membership and Fitness program operations. Provided communications, community relations, board recruiting, fundraising, and fiscal management oversight. Established strategies to promote and expand the branch's programs/services within the community. Key contributions:
  • Supervised and trained Fitness Coordinator, Fitness Monitors, Personal Trainers, Group Exercise, Kids Fitness, Silver Sneakers, Membership staff.
  • Created and managed budgets for Wellness and Membership.
  • Served as Chair for SPAC Wellness Directors cabinet, Diabetes prevention educator (YDPP), “RideStrong” planning committee member, and LiveStrong at the YMCA Coordinator (Cancer Survivor program).
  • Created, planned, and executed a race for 700 participants for six years (Turkey Trot 5k race). Recruited and led 100 community volunteers to assist with race preparation and day of the event activities.
  • Previous position as Wellness Specialist for Compuware Corporation, Fitness Specialist at Curves for Women and General Motors, and Marketing & Promotions Intern and Strength & Conditioning Coach at Michigan State University.

Education

Non-Profit Management Leadership Certification -

Rice University
Houston, TX

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate -

University of South Florida
Tampa

Master of Arts - Athletic Administration

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

YMCA of The USA - MEDI
05-2023

Skills

  • Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Program Development & Oversight
  • Team Leadership
  • Facility Management
  • Membership Engagement
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Budget & Financial Management
  • Community Outreach
  • Volunteer Management
  • Executive & Board Collaboration
  • Recruitment & Training
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Risk Management
  • Process Improvement

Certification

  • YMCA of the USA Cultural Lenses Trainer
  • YMCA Faculty Level – Strength and Conditioning, Healthy Lifestyles, Livestrong at the YMCA
  • YMCA of the USA certification (Cycling, Strength and Conditioning, Group Fitness, Cardio and Step, YDPP, Livestrong at the YMCA)
  • YMCA Organization Leader Certification
  • Spinning Certification, Madd Dogg Athletics
  • CPR/AED, First Aid and Safety, Oxygen American Red Cross

Community Service

Hispanic Latino Leader ERG, 2019, 2023

Timeline

Career Hiatus

Caregiver
01.2025 - 06.2025

Chief Executive Officer (Interim-contracted)

Civic Heart Community Services
12.2023 - 12.2024

Vice President, Community Impact and Center Operations

YMCA of Greater Houston Association
03.2017 - 10.2023

Healthy Living Senior Director

Brenda and John Duncan YMCA
04.2014 - 09.2017

Senior Director of Member Impact (Associate Executive Director)

Grove City YMCA
03.2008 - 04.2014

Non-Profit Management Leadership Certification -

Rice University

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate -

University of South Florida

Master of Arts - Athletic Administration

Wayne State University

Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology

Michigan State University

YMCA of The USA - MEDI

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE