Erika Wood’s Retirement Celebration

After 43 years of dedicated service to youth, families and communities, Erika Wood, Executive Director of Fry Family YMCA, has announced her retirement from the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.  

Erika’s YMCA journey began on Chicago’s South Side at the West Communities YMCA when she was just 12 years old. Encouraged by her mother, a Chicago Public Schools teacher, to spend her summers volunteering, she began helping with preschool programming, participating in YMCA Leaders Club activities and later teaching swimming lessons.  

Inspired by those early experiences, Erika studied recreation in college and received her first YMCA Program Director opportunity before graduating. Her path later took her to YMCA Metro Denver for 10 years before returning to Chicago and eventually becoming a leader at Fry Family YMCA, where she helped shape programs and experiences that impacted generations of youth and families.   

Erika’s passion for belonging, collaboration and service leaves a lasting legacy across the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.  

Please join us in celebrating Erika’s extraordinary career and thanking her for her years of leadership, dedication and impact. We invite you to come together with her friends, family, and community for a BBQ at the Fry Family YMCA. Please RSVP by Monday, June 22, 2026. 

Event Details  

• Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 

• Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

• Location: Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St., Naperville, IL 60564 - Outside on the West side of the building by the tents

RSVP by Monday, June 22, 2026: RSVP: Erika Wood's Retirement Celebration