Michel Tigan
Hudson
Summary
Mission driven senior nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of leadership in program strategy, philanthropy, and community impact. Currently serves as Senior Vice President of Adventure and Wellbeing for YMCA of the North, leading a $112M portfolio including the nation’s largest YMCA camping system and serving more than 86,000 participants annually. Known for aligning funding, data, and partnerships to drive measurable outcomes, with strong board governance experience and deep, place based roots in the St. Croix Valley.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Adventure & Wellbeing
YMCA of the North
01.2024 - Current
- Lead a combined $112 million portfolio, including $31 million in Adventure and $81 million in Wellbeing, with executive oversight of strategy, operations, funding alignment, and long term growth
- Lead the largest YMCA camping operation in the nation, including 16 camps, Adventure Lab, and Adventure in the Neighborhood
- Provide executive leadership for 160 full time staff and more than 1,200 seasonal and part time staff
- Oversee annual impact reaching approximately 22,000 participants each summer and 43,000 participants annually in Adventure, alongside enterprise wide wellbeing initiatives reaching tens of thousands more across the YMCA of the North
- Expanded executive scope from Adventure into a second major business line as Senior Vice President, integrating Adventure and Wellbeing into a unified, mission aligned strategy
- Align two large scale business lines with distinct goals, revenue streams, and outcomes into a cohesive portfolio centered on access, connection, and measurable community impact
- Provide executive leadership for integration of the Five Dimensions of Wellbeing and social drivers of health across programs, partnerships, and funding strategies
- Serve as key relationship lead and executive partner to the George Family Foundation, shaping strategy, reporting, and measurable outcomes tied to a $5M+ wellbeing investment
- Lead development and scaling of innovative models including Community as Medicine, clinical partnerships, workforce development pathways, and access focused wellbeing initiatives
- Represent YMCA of the North nationally through the Community Wellbeing Network leadership and steering committee, working with YUSA, World YMCA, and peer associations
- Lead YMCA of the North participation in the PROSPR study and co develop measurable frameworks such as the Whole Health Index
Vice President of Adventure
YMCA of the North
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Led strategy, operations, and growth of one of the most expansive outdoor adventure and camping portfolios in the YMCA movement
- Oversaw multi site operations including overnight camps, day camps, family camps, and wilderness programs serving youth, families, and community partners
- Advanced portfolio wide strategy focused on nature access, program quality, staff development, property stewardship, and long term sustainability
- Strengthened alignment across sites, leadership teams, boards, and shared services to improve operational consistency and mission impact
- Elevated Adventure as both a mission and business line, strengthening its role in youth development, community engagement, and philanthropic investment
- Built the strategic and operational foundation for expansion into the combined Adventure and Wellbeing executive portfolio
Executive Director
YMCA of the North
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Led operations, fundraising, board development, and strategic growth across overnight and day camp programs
- Grew budget from $1.1 million to $1.8 million, increasing both program revenue and philanthropic support
- Generated more than $150,000 in annual contributed revenue and supported $450,000 in capital projects
- Expanded board membership from 4 to 18 members, establishing strong governance and fundraising committees
- Developed and implemented long range strategic and master plans across multiple sites
- Contributed to broader YMCA camping strategy across overnight and day camp systems
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Led a regional mentoring organization serving youth and families across a five county area
- Managed a $980,000 budget with strong focus on fundraising, grant writing, and donor development
- Built and sustained partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations
- Strengthened board engagement and volunteer leadership to support long term sustainability
- St. Croix Valley
Executive Director
Community Action
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Led a community based nonprofit focused on youth development, social justice, and family support
- Grew foundation funding from $20,000 to more than $500,000
- Built organizational infrastructure including staffing, fundraising, and board development
- Established strong local partnerships and community presence
- Now Youth Action Hudson
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies, Justice and Peace Studies, and English, Technical Writing
University of St. Thomas
MBA - Nonprofit Management
University of St. Thomas
Skills
- Executive Leadership Across Large Scale, Multi Site Portfolios
- Adventure, Outdoor Access, and Youth Development Strategy
- Community Wellbeing, Social Drivers of Health, and Systems Integration
- Philanthropic Partnerships, Campaign Leadership, and Grant Strategy
- Board Development, Governance, and Community Based Leadership
- Evaluation, Learning, Research, and Impact Measurement
- Policy, Advocacy, and Public Leadership
- National Collaboration and Movement Building
Policy And Advocacy
- Testified at the federal level in support of H.R. 6492, the EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234)
- Led advocacy efforts for three state bonding bills supporting Camp Northern Lights
- Advanced three LCCMR funding requests, including one funded and two pending
- Partnered with Momentum Advocacy Group, YMCA Advocacy, Senator Hauschild, Senator Skraba, and Jim Davnie to advance nature access and community wellbeing
Philanthropy And Grantmaking
$1.2 million, George Family Foundation, $5.1 million, LCCMR award advancing equitable access to outdoor and environmental programming, Camp St. Croix Dining Hall Campaign, Camp Northern Lights Campaign
Board And Community Leadership
- St. Croix Valley Foundation, Board Member, Community Impact Committee, DEI Task Force, Affiliate Board Task Force
- Hudson Community Fund, Board Member
- Hudson Daybreak Rotary, Board Member, President, President Elect, Past President, Grants Committee Leader, Youth Development Committee Member
- Camp St. Croix Board, Board Chair, Program Chair, Capital Campaign Chair
- Camp Northern Lights Campaign, Campaign Chair
Timeline
Senior Vice President, Adventure & Wellbeing
YMCA of the North
01.2024 - Current
Vice President of Adventure
YMCA of the North
01.2022 - 01.2024
Executive Director
YMCA of the North
01.2015 - 01.2022
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
01.2007 - 01.2015
Executive Director
Community Action
01.2004 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies, Justice and Peace Studies, and English, Technical Writing
University of St. Thomas
MBA - Nonprofit Management
University of St. Thomas