Cameron Nicholson
Visionary, passionate, committed community leader, an ally and a friend.
Cameron currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Cameron’s current responsibilities include, budgeting and fiscal management, staff development, facilities management, membership and program development as well as inspiring and fostering community cohesion for YMCA locations in Central Iowa. Mr. Nicholson oversees over 1000+ employees, 6 community activity centers, a residential camp in Boone County.
Cameron provided leadership for two different communities in Charlotte, NC as Executive Director of the inner city Johnston Community YMCA and then the suburban University City YMCA. Cameron led a community building initiative that included research on inter-racial trust, community forums and conferences and D&I Leadership Academy.
Cameron has significant experience in educational leadership serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Diversity Director at the North Shore Country Day School, which is a small JK-12th grade private independent school located 20 miles north of Chicago. Cameron provided support for staff and faculty recruitment of diverse candidates, curriculum review team, as well as lead for the school strategic plan. Cameron has extensive experience as diversity and inclusion consultant working in conjunction with the National Association of Independent Schools to provide services to affiliated schools in the Midwest.
Cameron is a trained diversity facilitator through the S.E.E.D Project, (which is Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity.) Cameron has demonstrated experience and results in strategy development and evaluation; developing outcomes, and success metrics for multi-level Associations, advised Boards, President/CEO, Executive Team and Leadership Teams on how to incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion lenses into all decisions, communications and policies. Has worked with staff teams including the Diversity and Inclusion Groups, Employee Resource Groups and Board Equity & Inclusion Committee to develop and implement an innovative and bold approach to being a holistically inclusive and diverse organization. Cameron has worked with a cross functional team to design an approach to enhancing the organization's culture and employee experience.
Provided research on best practices, recommend strategies and solutions in support of new programs or collaborations to increase cultural competence and humility, inclusion and global awareness across school and not-profit workforce.
Provided leadership and strategic direction for community outreach and engagement to ensure access and inclusion for all community members and ensure clients and staff are reflective of the diverse communities served.
Cameron has a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Northern Illinois University.