Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia
Release Date: 12/03/2025
What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect
(Y) Connect
Before we jump into another year of Y Connect, we wanted to pause and look back. 2025 was a meaningful year for this podcast. We sat down with members, staff, partners, and community leaders who reminded us why the YMCA matters and how deeply it shows up in people’s lives. We heard stories of belonging, resilience, leadership, and impact that stayed with us long after the microphones were turned off. Today, we are reflecting on our favorite moments from this past year, the conversations that surprised us, what we learned about the YMCA that we didn’t fully understand before, and what...
info_outline
The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day
(Y) Connect
The YMCA’s Head Start programs provide comprehensive support that transforms entire families, not just children. In this powerful episode of Y Connect, hosts Zarinah, Robert, and Allison speak with early childhood education leaders LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson about the life-changing work happening at YMCA early learning centers. Both directors share their personal journeys from being Head Start parents to becoming passionate advocates for family support services. They discuss how comprehensive child development goes beyond academics to include mental health support, workforce...
info_outline
Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re stepping into a global conversation. Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of hosting Tushig Samdan, a nonprofit leader from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who was in Atlanta through the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program. Tushig has spent nearly a decade leading the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for Mongolian university students. Joining Tushig for today’s conversation is our colleague Ryan Greenstein, the Y’s Advocacy Program Manager. Ryan first learned...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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....
info_outlineToday on Y Connect, we’re stepping into a global conversation. Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of hosting Tushig Samdan, a nonprofit leader from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who was in Atlanta through the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program. Tushig has spent nearly a decade leading the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for Mongolian university students.
Joining Tushig for today’s conversation is our colleague Ryan Greenstein, the Y’s Advocacy Program Manager. Ryan first learned about this fellowship through his work at The Carter Center, and he actually spent time in Mongolia last year on an exchange visit before joining the Y. Ryan and Tushig worked together over the previous few weeks, and today we get to learn from their shared experience.
We’re excited to talk about what brought Tushig to the U.S., what she’s learned during her time with the YMCA, and the ways global partnerships can strengthen local impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How international exchange programs foster nonprofit leadership development through the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and building sustainable government partnerships that strengthen community impact across continents.
✅ Strategies for building sustainable alum mentorship networks and educational opportunity initiatives that create long-term organizational sustainability, including how fundraising models and endowments can support youth development across generations.
✅ The power of community engagement and nonprofit collaboration in addressing challenges during uncertain times, demonstrating how civic organizations work together with corporations and government to prioritize community needs and create intentional partnerships.
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 Tushig Samdan from Mongolia and Ryan Greenstein discuss international exchange programs and nonprofit leadership development
02:54 Tushig describes her professional development experience through the Professional Fellows Program, emphasizing cross-cultural learning and community engagement
04:57 Ryan shares his reciprocal Mongolia visit and the importance of hosting fellows from civic organizations to build government partnerships and strengthen international relationships
06:49 Tushig highlights impressive nonprofit collaboration between universities, corporations, and communities, noting how alumni mentorship programs create educational opportunity for students
14:03 Discussion of Y's community impact through early learning, teen leadership training, and accessible programs from infants to seniors, demonstrating organizational sustainability
17:50 The differences in fundraising models between Mongolia and the United States, and the value of the international exchange programs
25:24 Tushig shares her vision for creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment inspired by the Carter Center's model for building sustainable youth development
28:11 Closing gratitude and acknowledgment of host family, social enterprise connections, and the upcoming 2026 reciprocal exchange opportunity
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
💎 International exchange programs create a powerful return on investment for nonprofit leadership development by fostering lasting relationships between nations. Tushig's four-week experience through the Professional Fellows Program demonstrated how cross-cultural learning builds stronger leaders who carry lessons back home.
💎 Sustainable nonprofit collaboration requires intentional partnerships between civic organizations, corporations, and government. The stark difference between U.S. and Mongolian nonprofit ecosystems lies in established fundraising models, formal support systems, and coordinated responses during challenging times, such as government shutdowns, where community engagement ensures vulnerable populations continue to receive services.
💎 Building organizational sustainability beyond individual leadership creates generational impact. Inspired by the Carter Center's endowment model, designed to last beyond President Carter's lifetime, Tushig envisions creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment to support youth development, alum mentorship, and educational opportunity forever, transforming short-term passion into long-term community impact through social enterprise thinking.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Munkhtushig (Tushig) Samdan is a board member of the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an education-oriented NGO in Mongolia established in 2006 to promote educational equity and empowerment. The foundation is dedicated to supporting Mongolian university students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in business, finance, economics, and IT by providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities to those who might otherwise be unable to complete their studies.
Tushig has been actively involved with the foundation since 2014, serving as CEO for nearly a decade before transitioning to the board. Alongside her professional career and full-time job in mining construction projects as a Business Improvement Specialist, she has led initiatives to expand the foundation’s reach and impact. Currently, she is spearheading the development of a structured mentorship program that connects alumni with alumni, students with alumni, creating a strong support network for academic and professional growth.
She holds a master’s degree in Project Management, Finance, and Risk from City, University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from the University of Finance and Economics in Mongolia.
Ryan Greenstein has served as Advocacy Program Manager at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta since January 2025. He focuses on water safety and manages the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition, which the Y co-founded in 2023. Ryan joined the Y from The Carter Center and previously lobbied for various nonprofits in Washington, DC.
RESOURCES MENTIONED: