Fueling the Y’s Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
Release Date: 10/29/2025
Creating Space for Teens to Belong — A Conversation with Leah Willig
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re joined by Leah Willig, the Y’s Director of Teen Programs. Leah brings over a decade of youth development experience, having spent years leading impactful programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta before joining the Y. Her work has always focused on creating spaces where teens can explore who they are, connect, and envision what’s possible in their futures. At the Y, Leah is leading efforts to expand and elevate teen programming across our association from monthly Teen Nights that bring youth together in fun, safe environments to academic and...
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Fueling the Y’s Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re joined by a powerhouse leader whose commitment to purpose and community is shaping what corporate social responsibility looks like in Metro Atlanta and beyond, Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, is one of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s most generous corporate partners, giving not only through financial support but also through the countless volunteer hours employees dedicate to helping others. Carley is known for leading with heart and...
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Fan Favorite: Building Community through Fitness at the Y
(Y) Connect
When people join the YMCA, they have access to more than 3,000 group fitness classes. The Y offers everything from cycling to dance to yoga, flexibility, strength and more, all of which impact a person’s overall physical, mental and emotional health. As our guests explain, perhaps one of the best parts of these classes is the close-knit community that is formed as a result. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:13 Jennifer describes what goes on in determining the variety of classes offered at the Y and how a participant determines which class they should take depending on their fitness level 04:23 Maura...
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Beyond Weight Loss: Jim’s Transformation Through Coaching & Community
(Y) Connect
We have two inspiring guests today. Jim Snoddy, a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA’s supportive wellness programs, and Beth Girmay, the health & wellness instructor who has guided Jim every step of the way. Jim also serves on the Branch Community Engagement Board, which, as I understand it, plays pickleball almost every day. Today, we’re discussing transformation, body, mind, habits and the role of coaching, community, consistency, and mindset. We’ll delve into how the YMCA’s Coach Approach & Weight Loss For Life programs...
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Ep. 71 From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts’ Volleyball Journey
(Y) Connect
On today’s episode of (Y) Connect, we’re joined by someone who’s already making waves on the national stage while still just beginning her high school journey. At only 14 years old, Kari Knotts has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in U.S. volleyball. Kari is a freshman at The Lovett School, a proud member of the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA, and a fierce competitor for A5 Volleyball Club. She recently became the youngest member of the U19 USA National Volleyball Team, where she was named both MVP and Best Spiker at the Pan-American Cup. From her start at the YMCA to winning...
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Fan Favorite: Facing Forsyth County's Past & Honoring Its Descendants
(Y) Connect
In this Fan Favorite Episode, we delve into a story of resilience, reconciliation, and community spirit. Forsyth County, with its complex history, is making strides towards healing and inclusivity. Joining us on (Y) Connect is Durwood Sneed, an organizer of the Forsyth Descendants Scholarship, a pivotal initiative aimed at honoring and supporting the descendants of those who were unjustly expelled from the county, a racial cleansing campaign that took place in 1912 forcing Black residents out of the county. Additionally, we are joined by Joshua Byrd, a descendant who bravely returned to...
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Ep. 70 Tribute to AmeriCorps at the Y
(Y) Connect
Welcome to Y Connect, where we spotlight the people and programs shaping impact across the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. In this episode, we’re honored to feature two leaders whose journeys through AmeriCorps have left a lasting imprint on our communities. Stacia Herbert, AmeriCorps Health and Wellness Advocate at the South DeKalb YMCA, has led transformative initiatives—from launching a community garden and food pantry to hosting nutrition workshops and building partnerships that support young mothers. Her work has been so impactful that the YMCA of the USA plans to feature her story nationally....
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Ep. 69 Dr. Lori Duckett on Inclusion & Impact at the Y
(Y) Connect
Today on (Y) Connect, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Lori Duckett—physician, advocate, and proud member of the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA. Dr. Duckett is a passionate supporter of inclusive sports and has been instrumental in introducing Special Olympics programming to the Y. Her leadership is helping to ensure that athletes of all abilities feel seen, supported, and celebrated. In today’s episode, we’ll hear how Dr. Duckett’s medical background, personal experiences, and unwavering belief in equity have shaped her journey—and how the Y community is growing stronger and...
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Ep. 68 Feedback Fuels the Y’s Summer Camp Experience
(Y) Connect
At the Y, summer is our Super Bowl—a season of high energy, big moments, and unforgettable memories for thousands of kids in our summer day camps. Today, we’re joined by two incredible youth development leaders: Ashley Baker from the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA and Aminata Lawton-Edwards from the Decatur Family YMCA. They’re not only shaping amazing camp experiences—they’re also listening closely to what families are telling us through surveys and using that feedback to make camp even better. We’ll talk about what makes Y day camp special, what we’re learning from families, and how...
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Ep. 67 Fan Favorite: A 7-Year-Old and His Y Heroes
(Y) Connect
In this fan favorite episode of the Y Connect podcast, you’ll meet Oliver and his mom, Juliet. Oliver is a remarkable seven-year-old young man and Y member with a heart as big as the state of Georgia. We invite you to hear his story of extraordinary gratitude. It’s a story that will inspire you and remind you what it means to be a superhero. IN THIS EPISODE: (02:16) Oliver shares his Y story and talks about what inspired him to give gifts to the Y staff (05:01) Juliet tells how she reacted when Oliver made his request (07:20) Oliver is overwhelmed by how the staff at the Y...
info_outlineToday on Y Connect, we’re joined by a powerhouse leader whose commitment to purpose and community is shaping what corporate social responsibility looks like in Metro Atlanta and beyond, Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, is one of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s most generous corporate partners, giving not only through financial support but also through the countless volunteer hours employees dedicate to helping others. Carley is known for leading with heart and innovation, always focused on where actual impact happens: in the lives of children and families. Under her guidance, Gas South continues to expand its “Fuel for Good” philosophy, a purpose that’s about caring for customers and employees while elevating communities. In addition to her leadership role, Carley serves on the board of the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead and is helping shape the Y’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan as part of our Board Task Force.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How purpose-driven companies like Gas South bring their values to life by empowering employee volunteerism and listening to what matters most to their teams and communities
✅ Why authentic leadership matters in corporate social responsibility—and how asking more profound questions leads to more meaningful nonprofit partnerships that address real needs beyond surface-level solutions
✅ The difference between traditional charity and systemic change, including why companies must invest in living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofits to solve community challenges
✅ Practical strategies for community investment and strategic planning that move corporate giving programs from transactional donations to transformational impact through collaboration and innovation
Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Zarinah, Robert, and Allison discussing early educator conferences and leadership development and introducing Carley Stephens of Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation
05:50 Gas South's "fuel for good" philosophy and how purpose-driven corporate social responsibility evolves through employee empowerment and listening to community needs
08:22 How Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation work together to create community impact through member-based engagement and hands-on nonprofit partnerships
11:02 The power of asking more profound questions in corporate giving programs and moving beyond surface-level sponsorships to address challenges
18:46 Car seat safety story: How observing families during COVID food distribution led to immediate community investment and mental health support initiatives
23:12 Employee volunteerism through team grants that empower staff to support causes they care about beyond children's programs
26:53 CEO Kevin Griner's authentic leadership and how Gas South's pricing model reflects corporate social responsibility values in daily business decisions
34:04 Gas South's $1.3 million investment in YMCA programs, including Adaptive Swim, and nonprofit funding for inclusive education initiatives
37:44 Strategic planning insights from the YMCA task force and the importance of pressure-testing ideas for systemic change
43:55 Moving from charity to systemic change: Why companies must address a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce first
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
💎 Corporate social responsibility starts at home. Companies must invest in a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofit partnerships to solve community challenges, creating systemic change from within
💎 Employee volunteerism becomes more powerful when workers have autonomy. Gas South provides team grants allowing employees to support causes they're passionate about, from veterans to animals, beyond the company's core focus on children in need
💎 Authentic leadership means showing up and doing the work. CEO Kevin Griner demonstrates purpose-driven values by volunteering alongside employees, pulling weeds with his own tools, and ensuring corporate giving decisions reflect fairness in everyday business practices like pricing
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Carley Stephens is Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. With over a decade of CSR experience, she's expanded Gas South's philanthropic reach across multiple states, increasing giving by over 300%. Recognized as an Atlanta Business Chronicle 'Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Top Practitioner' and Atlanta 40 Under 40 honoree, she drives impact through connection, collaboration, and mentorship.
A Kalamazoo, Michigan native with a philosophy degree from Calvin College, Carley is a dedicated wife and mom who loves books, cooking, and coffee.
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