More Than a Workout: Celebrating Our Q2 2026 Cause Driven Leaders

If you've ever walked into a group exercise class at the YMCA of Greenwich, you've probably noticed something special.

People greet each other by name. They ask how someone's grandchild is doing. They celebrate birthdays, cheer each other on, and notice when someone misses a class. Yes, they're there to move their bodies—but they're also there because they've found a community.

That sense of connection doesn't happen by accident. It's created by instructors who show up, week after week, not just to lead a workout, but to build relationships.

This quarter, we're proud to recognize two of those remarkable individuals as our Q2 2026 Cause Driven Leaders: Wendy Rosa and Dana Conelias.

Creating Community Through Movement

Group exercise is one of the most visible ways the YMCA fulfills its mission of strengthening community. Every class is an opportunity for someone to improve their health, regain confidence, make a friend, or simply know they belong.

Our instructors are more than fitness professionals—they're motivators, listeners, educators, and trusted faces who help members stay committed to their wellness journeys. They celebrate milestones, encourage members through challenges, and create welcoming spaces where everyone feels comfortable participating, regardless of age or ability.

Wendy and Dana exemplify what that looks like every day.

Wendy Rosa: Fifteen Years of Inspiring Healthy Living

For the past 15 years, Wendy Rosa has been a cornerstone of our wellness community. Her schedule reflects the incredible breadth of her expertise, teaching everything from Fit in Five and Weights N More to Aqua Arthritis, Buff Bones, Brain Fitness, Pilates & Stretch, and A Matter of Balance.

Many of Wendy's classes are designed specifically to help older adults stay strong, improve balance, maintain independence, and continue living active, fulfilling lives.

But what keeps members coming back isn't just the workout.

It's Wendy's ability to make every participant feel seen. She creates an encouraging environment where people challenge themselves, support one another, and genuinely enjoy showing up. Her creativity, professionalism, and passion for helping others have made her classes some of the most popular at the Y—and the friendships formed within them are just as valuable as the exercise itself.

Dana Conelias: Twelve Years of Encouragement and Care

For 12 years, Dana Conelias has brought warmth, positivity, and unwavering encouragement to every class she teaches.

Whether leading HydroFit Deep or Fit 4 Life, Dana has a gift for meeting people where they are. She understands that every participant walks into class with different goals, abilities, and life experiences, and she creates an atmosphere where everyone can succeed.

Dana's generosity extends beyond instruction. Over the years, she has donated equipment and fitness props to enhance the member experience and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Members know they can count on her not only for a great workout, but for genuine encouragement and a welcoming smile.

Her dedication reminds us that fitness isn't simply about building strength—it's about building confidence and helping people feel their best.

Living the Y's Mission

At the YMCA, wellness isn't measured only by reps completed or miles walked. It's measured by the relationships we build, the confidence we inspire, and the community we create together.

Wendy and Dana embody our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in every class they lead. Through their commitment to members and passion for helping others, they remind us that some of the most meaningful moments at the Y happen long before or after the workout itself—in conversations, encouragement, laughter, and friendships that keep people coming back.

Congratulations to Wendy Rosa and Dana Conelias on being named our Q2 2026 Cause Driven Leaders. Thank you for making the YMCA of Greenwich a place where people don't just come to exercise—they come to belong.