LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA at 321 S. Livingston Ave. recently welcomed four new members to its Board of Managers. The Board works closely with the Y's leadership team to help advance the organization's mission and ensure programs and services remain accessible to all.
“Each of these new board members brings a unique perspective, from healthcare and finance to entrepreneurship and community leadership. Together, they reflect the diverse talents and experiences that make our community strong, and we're excited to welcome them to the West Essex Y leadership team,” said District Executive Director Cheryl Tuturice.
Toks Adekoya, of Livingston, is Vice President of Credit and Fraud Risk at American Express, where she leads cross-functional teams and helps strengthen risk management and policy oversight for Global Merchant and Network Services. She serves as a Board Advisor for the Association of Payment Professionals and is a member of Chief, a private network for women executives. She has been a member of the West Essex Y since 2012, when her first daughter attended the Peanut Shell Early Childhood Learning Center, beginning a lasting connection with the organization and its mission.
“I joined the YMCA board because, in an increasingly digital world, the Y remains one of the few institutions with the reach and the trust to bring people together in person. Its programs serve the whole community, from young children to older adults, and meet people where they are. I’m looking forward to contributing to that mission and to helping develop programs that make the Y even more valuable to the people it serves,” she said.
Chitra Maridi, of Livingston, is a community builder and civic innovator committed to strengthening connections across the community. She serves as a member of the Rotary Club of Livingston, Director of Thought Leadership at the Project Management Institute, and a leader with Scouts Troop 5216. Maridi is currently building a technology venture focused on civic engagement and local collaboration.
Over the past 15 years, Maridi has served as PTA President at Harrison Elementary School, a member of the Livingston Public Schools Budget Task Force, and a board member of Healthy Community Healthy Youth. She is one of the founding members of Sanskriti School and pioneered Livingston’s first townwide Multicultural Night in partnership with the West Essex Y. A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award, Maridi brings strategic leadership, partnership development, and community engagement to advance the Y’s mission.
“The West Essex Y has been a big part of my family’s journey, from my youngest attending Peanut Shell to my learning to swim here as an adult,” she said. “Having partnered with the Y on various community initiatives, joining the Board gives me an opportunity to take that commitment further by helping strengthen the Y’s role as a trusted community anchor and building local partnerships.”
Andrew Spehar, of West Orange, is the owner of All Square Performance Chiropractic in Livingston. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Livingston and will serve as its President-Elect for 2027-2028. Throughout his career, Spehar has been active in community service, serving as a Little League coach, first responder, McKinley National Monument volunteer, and halfway house volunteer in the communities where he has lived. He has also volunteered with Livingston Little League.
As former chairman of the Portland Senior Citizens Center in Portland, Tenn., Spehar coordinated the organization's COVID-19 response for members and established a corporate donor program for the Portland Rotary Club. As a small business owner, he is committed to investing in and strengthening the communities he serves.
Spehar grew up attending the Y in his hometown of North Canton, Ohio, where he played T-ball and spent countless hours with friends and family.
“As a dad, I want my son to experience the same sense of community and belonging that I found growing up. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to help make those experiences possible for others,” he said.
Victor Ukwu, of Morris Plains, serves as Chief Medical Officer at St. James Health, and is the founder of Maven Community Health, a nonprofit focused on advancing community wellness for underserved populations. Ukwu brings a strong network of community partnerships and opportunities to support wellness programming, healthcare education, and mission-aligned collaboration.
Ukwu's connection to the YMCA began in his youth as a member in Nashville and continued during his residency training.
“I am interested in serving because I strongly believe in the YMCA's role as a trusted community institution that can positively shape health, mentorship, youth development, and community engagement,” he said.
His professional and nonprofit work closely aligns with those priorities, positioning him to support the Y's impact throughout the region.
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ABOUT THE Y
Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its six branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston, and Stillwater are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.