Leadership Team
HELEN L. BREÑA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
hbrena@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
207-874-1111, 302
Helen Breña has served the YMCA movement for almost 25 years and has served as Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Southern Maine since 2006. Her prior YMCA experience was with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, where she served many roles including CFO, Vice President of Operations, and Senior Vice President of Operations. During her 15 year tenure there, Helen led 10 branches, with over 700 employees and 43 sites, serving 40,000 members. In addition to overseeing operations and finance, Helen gained invaluable experience as she helped lead the organization through Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in her first few years. Later her experience included Affordable Housing Tax Credit Initiatives and a merger with another YMCA.
Helen moved to Portland in 2005 in order to get back to Northern New England. She worked with Avesta Housing as the Vice President of Finance and Management for a short while before returning to the YMCA Movement as the CEO of the YMCA Of Southern Maine in 2006.
Helen’s passion for her work at the Y is based on the belief that all people deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. What better place to bring people from all dimensions of diversity to explore their potential and discover who they are meant to be than at the Y. This is core to Helen’s values and the YMCA mission.
Helen attended Amherst College, earning an undergraduate degree in Economics. She also earned a Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Hartford and became a Certified Public Accountant during her early years while working for Arthur Andersen & Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Helen grew up in New Hampshire and loves being back in Northern New England. She lives in West Falmouth, where she shares her time with her partner, her dog, and two cats. In addition to family events, photography, reading, and learning the ukulele, Helen enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, sailing, skiing, running, triathlons, and nature.
MEAGHAN WOODSOME
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
mwoodsome@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
207-874-1111, 340
Meaghan proudly joined the YMCA of Southern Maine in 2016. She leads the Association's human resources, communications & strategy. Before joining the Y, Meaghan held a number of leadership positions at both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations. She has managed three successful state-level political campaigns and led marketing and product development for a wellness-focused direct marketing company.
Meaghan has long been interested in holistic well-being and is a trained herbalist and former board member of several mental health organizations in Portland. When not at work, Meaghan loves exploring the outdoors on bike and foot with her husband Nate, an artist and IT professional.
TYLER CARY
BRANCH EXECUTIVE -
NORTHERN YORK COUNTY BRANCH
tcary@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
207-283-0100, 402
Tyler joined the YMCA of Southern Maine in May 2020. Previously, Tyler served as Donor Relations Officer at Pine Tree Society where he performed duties in major gifts fundraising, annual giving, special events and organizational strategy. Tyler’s approach to fundraising is rooted in relationship building and using impact to drive income. He is excited to be bringing this experience to the table with the team at the YMCA, and to use a collaborative approach to philanthropy toward funding the vision of the YMCA of Southern Maine.
Prior to Pine Tree Society, Tyler worked in both radio and television advertising in the Bangor and Portland markets. In these roles Tyler built sales experience and gained skills in copywriting, negotiation, and media relations. Tyler is a 2007 graduate of the University of Maine, where he majored in Mass Communication. He is a life-long Mainer, born and raised in South Portland.
Tyler’s favorite hobbies include almost anything in the great outdoors of Maine like hiking, running, biking, and exploring. He enjoys reading about history, fitness, cooking, live music, writing, and walking his dog on Willard Beach. Tyler lives in South Portland with his wife Danielle, lab/sighthound-mix pup Maizy and two cats, Lucy and Fiona.
ELENA CASEY, CPA, CMA
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
ecasey@ymcaofsouthernmaine.org
207-874-1111, 336
Elena Casey is the Chief Financial Officer at the YMCA of Southern Maine, a role she began in July 2024. With a passion for financial stewardship and strategic planning, Elena plays a key role in ensuring the YMCA’s financial well-being, allowing the organization to better serve the community.
Before joining the YMCA, Elena founded On Belay Accounting, where she worked closely with small business owners to guide them in managing cash flow and making informed financial decisions. Her extensive background as a Controller and interim CFO gave her deep experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and full-cycle accounting, allowing her to support organizations in their growth.
Elena’s career began in public accounting, where she led audits and reviews for a large regional firm. This experience instilled in her a deep appreciation for transparency and accuracy, which remain central to her work today.
Elena holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). She thrives on building efficient, forward-thinking financial processes, with a strategic focus on both day-to-day operations and long-term financial planning to advance the YMCA’s mission.
Outside of the office, Elena enjoys the beautiful Maine outdoors with her husband and two children. She spends her free time skiing, camping, traveling, and cherishing moments with family and friends.
