Facility Update: Y Closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26

New Canaan YMCA

Meet Our Team

Meet Our Team

V.P. of Financial Development, Marketing & Strategic Initiatives

Kristina joined our Y in 2010 and is presently the VP of Financial Development, Marketing & Strategic Initiatives. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and prior to joining our Y, she worked in the marketing departments of Virgin Atlantic Airways and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Director of Competitive Swimming/Head Coach

Coach Brian Fazzino returned to the New Canaan YMCA in 2018 after serving two years as the Head Coach of the Franklin Pierce University Women’s Swim Team. Brian was at the New Canaan Caimans between 2014-2016 as the Head Developmental Coach and as an Assistant Senior Coach. Prior to his time in New Canaan, Brian was the Head Senior Coach as well as the Assistant Coach for the National Training Group Eagle Swim Team in Owings Mills, Maryland. In 2012, Brian was the Head Age Group Coach at Gator Swim Club in Gainesville Florida. Prior to coaching at Gator Swim Club, Coach Brian was the Head Coach at the Northern Middlesex YMCA in Middletown, CT. Swimmers on these teams achieved tremendous success ranging from state records and championships to national qualifiers and Olympians.

Childcare Director

In May 2019, Kristen graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She then went on to attain her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Fairfield University in August 2020. After spending time as an elementary education teacher, Kristen joined the New Canaan YMCA in August 2023 and is presently the Y’s Childcare Director. Kristen is grateful to be a part of the Y family. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, volunteering, coaching field hockey, and spending time with family and friends.

Director of Inclusion & Support Services

Carolynn joined our staff as the Director of Special Needs in September 2011 and is presently the Director of Inclusion & Support Services. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology at SUNY Albany and her MSED in recreational education from CUNY Lehman College. She is married with two boys and a dog and enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and taking her dog on walks.

Sports Director

Lenwood joined our Y in 2022. Prior to this, he worked for the Stamford Peace Youth Foundation as Executive Director of Basketball Operations and Co-Founder. Lenwood has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is married with 2 children. In his spare time, Lenwood enjoys playing basketball, spending time with his family and actively participating in his church’s worship activities.

Assistant Director of Human Resources

After years in a different career, Ida cannot think of a better place to have re-entered the Human Resources field than the New Canaan YMCA. She joined our staff in 2017 and is presently the Assistant HR Director.  She loves working in HR and being surrounded by her colleagues makes her happy. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Connecticut and worked for several years assisting families with children with special needs. In her spare time, Ida enjoys spending time with her three children.

V.P. of Healthy Living & Membership

Bridget has been at the New Canaan Y since 1998 and in the Health and Wellness Industry since graduating with a BS in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1993. Bridget is ACSM certified as a Health and Fitness Specialist and holds several other certifications from AFAA, AASDN, BTS, and the YMCA. Bridget is married to another YMCA professional and has two wonderful daughters.

Executive Director

Margaret joined the Y in 2021 upon retiring from the practice of law. She is a former member of the Y’s Board of Directors. Margaret received her Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College where she majored in Italian and Business and earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Margaret and her family have lived in New Canaan since 1998 and have been active members of the Y since then.

Assistant Director of Development & Community Impact

Diana joined the New Canaan YMCA in 2011 as the Financial Assistance Coordinator. Since then, her roles at the Y have evolved and, today, Diana is the Assistant Director of Development and Community Impact. When not at the Y, Diana can often be found baking and covered in flour as she attempts to get her cakes to rise. Her favorite moments are laughing with friends, getaways with her husband, and any time spent with her two daughters.

Wellness Director

Eva joined the New Canaan YMCA in 2013 as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. Prior to working at the YMCA, she managed a corporate Wellness Center in Stamford, and coached gymnastics up to national level. Eva is a former gymnast from Hungary, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. Eva holds several fitness certifications, including ACSM certified personal trainer and AFAA certified group exercise instructor. She lives in Norwalk and enjoys spending time with her husband and pets.

Competitive Diving Director

Having founded the Whirlwind Diving team in 1997, Joe brings a wealth of experience to the team as the Head Coach and the Senior Director of Competitive Diving and Sports. Joe grew up diving at the Newfield Swim & Tennis Club, was a high school All-American stand-out at Stamford High School, and went on to Clemson University, where he lettered in diving for four years and was a four-time NCAA zone qualifier, an All-American candidate, an All Atlantic Coast Conference champion, and a team captain. In addition to the Whirlwind team, Joe coaches the New Canaan High School team, the Wilton High School team, Convent of the Sacred Heart / Greenwich team, the New Canaan Field Club team, and the Newfield Swim & Tennis team. Joe was awarded the Robert Moss Award in 2001, for his numerous contributions to diving. He is a lifetime member of USA Diving, and is the Junior Olympic representative for the state of Connecticut. During his time at the New Canaan Y, Joe has also coached many top divers including four JO champions and three Team USA representatives that competed at meets such as the British Elite Championships and the Canadian/American Challenge, and one member of the Junior Elite Program. His teams have included over 50 High School All Americans. Joe’s enthusiasm coupled with his knowledge of the sport make him a dynamic and successful coach for divers of all levels.

Associate Diving Director

Adam Vance is from Pennsylvania, where he began diving at 10-years-old in the Philadelphia area. While diving with LaSalle Diving Club, he was an eight time junior national qualifier and finalist, Pennsylvania State High School Champion and named to the All-American team. After high school, he competed for LaSalle University and earned Atlantic 10 Athlete of the Year. After LaSalle, he continued his collegiate diving career, with Dr. Ronn Jenkins, at West Chester University.  Adam went on to become a Division II All-American diver, and national medalist.

He has coached all levels of diving, and understands what it takes to become a successful junior diver from his own experience as a diver and coach. Through his fundamentals first philosophy, Adam strives for each diver to be challenged by continuing to learn through a positive and safe path. In addition to the physical training, he hopes all of the athletes leave the program with better life skills such as time management, communication, resilience, and philanthropy.

Adam has also coached at Darien High School, where he has had five state champions. During his tenure at Darien, five different divers achieved All-American status. In addition, he is the Head Diving Coach at Sacred Heart University, and is currently coaching in the Fairfield County Swimming and Diving League in the summers.

Director of Marketing & Communications

Liz has been part of the New Canaan YMCA community since she was a camper at Camp Y-Ki. In May 2015, she began her employment at the Y as an Assistant Teacher in Rainbow Station’s Preschool classrooms. In May 2018, she graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. Liz joined the Y as a director in May 2019, and is presently the Director of Marketing & Communications. In her free time, Liz enjoys exercising and spending time with family and friends.

V.P. of HR & Risk Management

Carolyn is thrilled to have joined the Y in June of 2022 as the VP of HR and Risk Management. Carolyn has a Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Hunter College, where she focused on advocacy for Children and Families. Carolyn brings with her decades of experience working in non-profits, including the past 15 years working in hospice/palliative care in many roles including Director of Human Resources and Chief Compliance Officer. Carolyn lives in Danbury with her two sons, where she and her family were active members at the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut for many years.