Our Team

Justin Ihne

CEO

Justin started as the CEO for the Plattsburgh YMCA in January 2017, but has been involved with the Y since the age of 9. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Justin got his first Y experience at YMCA Camp Becket in Massachusetts. Justin learned to swim over his years as a camper and grew up at Camp Becket becoming staff member in the late 80’s.

In 1991, he started working for the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County. There, he grew his career running after school programs and day camps. Justin became the Associate Executive Director in Kingston and in 2010 became the CEO for the Northern Berkshire YMCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. There, with a great group of staff and volunteers, helped the YMCA grow and created strong partnerships. Most recently Justin was the Executive Director for the Metro of the Oranges YMCA.

Justin spends much if his off time with this wife Sophie, sons Ethan and Rowan, and daughter Marley and Lyla their dog.

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Sonja Brown

Marketing & Membership Director

Sonja Brown was born and raised in Peru, New York and she earned her bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the Basic Skills Coordinator and an advanced coach for the Skating Club of the Adirondacks. She enjoys traveling, the outdoors, hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to continuing to foster the great community atmosphere here at the Plattsburgh YMCA and getting more people the opportunity to join and experience all that we have to offer here. It is a wonderful place to make friends, get in shape, and just have a good time! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns she is open to hearing them, as she wants everyone who comes through the front door to be excited about coming here, and wants them to leave with a smile on their face.

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Patti Warner

Physical & Aquatics Director

Patti learned to swim at the Plattsburgh YMCA as a child. She started working at the Y after graduating from Cortland State with a BS in Physical Education. Some of her favorite activities are biking, hiking, camping and reading.

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Jacqueline Prather

Bright Beginnings Child Care Director

Jackie has been employed by the Y since 1996. For three years she was with the school age child care program and has been with the Bright Beginnings Child Care Center since. Her main responsibilities are to provide a warm, safe environment, with qualified staff for a fully enrolled center. Prior to the Y Jackie worked 5 years with the former AFB Child Development Center and 2 years in the DODDS school system at Torrejon AFB, Spain. She is a Plattsburgh State graduate. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. Her passion is working with families and people in general.

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Christina Santor

School Age Child Care Director – Y’s Time

Christina has been employed at the Plattsburgh YMCA since 2007. She graduated from Plattsburgh State with a dual degree in Human Development & Family Relations and Psychology. She is currently the School Age Child Care Director. Her main responsibilities include staffing and managing all our afterschool sites in the area. Christina was also the site director for the before and after school program at Peru Elementary, as well as working as a site director at Momot Elementary with the 21st Century Community Leaning Center for three years. Before becoming the School Age Child Care Director, Christina worked as a Girl Scout Summer Camp Director for two years. In her free time, Christina loves to read and travel, as well as spending time with friends and family. She also likes hiking and cross-country skiing.

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Stephanie Purcell

Y Wee Care Pre-School Director

Stephanie Purcell was raised in Plattsburgh, New York. She attended Cazenovia College where she graduated with her bachelors. She has always had a strong passion for working with children. She has worked for the YMCA since 2003. She has worked at Camp Jericho as a counselor, the After School Program, Bright Beginnings and Y Wee Care as a preschool teacher. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at community meals and anything outdoors. She is married and has two children, Cole, and Sophia.

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Heather Smith

Director of Cleaning

My name is Heather Smith. I am originally from Vermont. I have been married to my husband John for 12 years. I am the proud mother of my five year old daughter, Olivia, and my four year old son, Phillip. I was a stay at home mother until last August, when I started working here at the Y. I have met some incredibly nice people here, both members and staff. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, and spending time with immediate and extended family. It has been a pleasure making a clear visual difference here at the YMCA. I am always open to hear questions, comments, and concerns.