In her first two weeks as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, Nicci Bucher has focused on learning the community one visit at a time.
She has been inside preschool classrooms, met with leadership teams and taken calls from her car between appointments.
“I am in my car right now, driving around and getting used to the roads and the community,” Bucher said. “I am always going to be present. Do not sit me in an office for very long. I want to be out there.”
Her approach is steady and practical. She wants the YMCA to reach more families across St. Petersburg, and she believes that belonging should guide its growth in the years ahead.
Understanding St. Pete
St. Petersburg is dense and expanding. Families need affordable childcare. Older adults want to stay active and connected.
Many neighborhoods want more community programs and safe places to gather. The YMCA already supports many of these needs, but Bucher sees opportunities to do more.
“A lot of people do not know we are a nonprofit,” she said. “Many do not know we operate licensed preschool academies and school programs. We are the largest child care provider in the country.”
Outgoing CEO David Jezek has helped her meet board members, partners and civic leaders. She said this support has given her a strong early foundation.
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“I have been really welcomed,” she said. “I was nervous following in David’s footsteps, but people here have embraced me from the moment I arrived.”
She is also paying attention to areas that may be overlooked.
“There may be underutilized buildings or green spaces where we can provide programming,” she said. “Some places may need revitalization and we can help bring people together there.”
Belonging comes first
When Bucher talks about the YMCA’s future, she starts with belonging.
“To feel a sense of belonging is essential,” she said. “People want to feel connected and seen.”
This idea shapes how she thinks the YMCA should grow. She does not believe growth must always come from new buildings.
Instead, she sees strong opportunities in partnerships with schools, hospitals, churches and other nonprofits.
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She also supports bringing programs directly into neighborhoods.
In Central Florida, she helped create mobile units that brought YMCA programs to communities on wheels.
“We could roll up with a van and offer volleyball, cornhole or even a DJ,” she said. “We could address food insecurity with snacks. Families would look forward to us coming back.”
Early learning remains a major focus.
“Being around the early learning programs and the preschools feeds my soul,” she said. “The 0 to 5 window is critical. Preparing kids for kindergarten is essential.”
How she leads
Her first two weeks show what her leadership style looks like.
1. She listens before she plans
“These two weeks have been great because I have been able to connect with people,” she said. “I want to see it, touch it and understand where we are.”
2. Partnerships will guide growth
“There are plenty of people to go around,” she said. “We can reach more families and more neighborhoods by working together.”
3. Innovation must be practical
“We can take YMCA experiences into places that need them,” she said. “It could be youth activities, wellness for older adults or support for families.”
4. Staff and volunteers drive impact
“I can create the best plan on paper,” she said. “It only matters if our team has the support and recognition they need to carry it out.”
A clear moment
During a visit to one of the Y’s preschool academies, Bucher saw a construction project that needed adjustments due to rising costs. Even so, the children were smiling, learning and engaged.
“They were genuinely happy,” she said. “Seeing that made it clear how important these programs are.”
She explained how community support affects the YMCA’s ability to expand and enhance its programs.
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“We do not turn away people for their inability to pay,” she said. “Support from the community helps us expand services and create better experiences for children and families.”
She said rising construction costs may limit some of the features they hoped to include. “Without additional funding, we may not be able to tap into some of the offerings we wanted to build,” she said.
Why it matters
St. Petersburg is changing and the YMCA plays a key role in youth development, family support and community health. Bucher’s approach fits the moment.
Her focus on belonging is practical and straightforward. It shows up in how she listens, how she plans and how she wants the Y to serve more people.
“Everyone deserves to feel connected,” she said. “That is what we want to create.”
The road ahead
Nicci Bucher is leading with presence and steady commitment. She is learning the community by moving through it every day.
She respects the work the YMCA has already done and sees ways to reach more people with thoughtful programming and strong partnerships.
“The Y has done great work,” she said. “After my first 90 days, I might have even more answers for you.”
