The story behind the voice
Stephen Ives has served as president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston since 2018 and brings more than 30 years of YMCA leadership experience. A 2020 Houston Business Journal Most Admired CEO honoree, Ives is recognized for innovation, community impact, stakeholder engagement and building strategic partnerships. Throughout his career, he has guided organizations through complex economic, social, and operational challenges, including hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, refugee resettlement and efforts to address human trafficking. In Houston, he has helped lead efforts providing food, child care, emergency relief and resources to thousands of residents while fostering partnerships that strengthen connections across the region. Ives holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a degree in speech communication from the University of Maine.
From Mission to Message: What Nonprofits Can Teach About Trust and Reputation
Trust is built through more than words. It grows from transparent communication, authentic community relationships and a clear connection between an organization’s mission and its actions. In this session, Stephen Ives, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston, shared how the YMCA of Greater Houston translates its mission into communications that build credibility and strengthen relationships across Houston.
Using the national “Phones Down, Eyes Up” public service announcement and the YMCA of Greater Houston’s long-standing Safety Around Water program as a case study, Ives explored how purpose-driven messaging, creative storytelling, and strategic partnerships can transform a simple message into a campaign that reaches audiences, encourages action and positively impacts the community. The session offered practical skills for building trust, developing authentic messaging and creating purpose-driven communications that connect an organization’s mission to meaningful community impact.