Elaina Wargo

Compliance Manager for Youth Programs, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Elaina Wargo currently serves as Compliance Manager for Youth Programs at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. In this role she works alongside the Operations, Human Resources, and Program teams to maintain compliance relating to health and safety, programmatic quality, curriculum standards, grant funding, and state- and federally-sponsored initiatives. The YMCA works to support communities through fostering youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living opportunities for all.

Prior to working at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Elaina served as Program Director of Camp Nissokone at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit and Program Director at Camp Manito-wish YMCA. In both of these roles she oversaw character and leadership development programs and created curricula and systems to support and enhance programmatic outcomes. In recognition of her work, she received the award for Outstanding Work in Youth Development from the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit and was a 2021 YMCA 30 Under 30 Award Recipient.

Elaina believes that through quality programming, data-driven decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, non-profits can work towards improving society in ways that make a tangible impact in communities who have been historically marginalized and under-resourced. She feels particularly passionate about utilizing the non-profit space to improve the everyday lives of people and looks forward to leveraging her experience in the Baumhart Scholars program to do just that.