KNOXVILLE - YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley (YWCA) has named Alizza Punzalan-Randle chief executive officer (CEO), effective August 1, 2018. Punzalan-Randle will replace retiring CEO Marigail Mullin, who has served in this capacity since 2006 and will assume a key capital campaign role within the organization. Mullin will assume a key capital campaign role.

YWCA's new CEO, Alizza Punzalan-Randle - Image courtesy of YWCA

Punzalan-Randle is a native Knoxvillian who is firmly entrenched in the YWCA’s mission and work. As a child, she learned to swim at the downtown YWCA, and as a teenager, she was an active member of Y-Teens. She served as a member of the board of directors of YWCA of Tampa Bay for six years and is a founding board member of the YWCA of Tampa Bay Foundation. She won the Racial Justice Award from the YWCA of Tampa Bay in 2013, served as the vice chair of the National Coordinating Board for YWCA USA and was a participant in the World YWCA’s International Women’s Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS in Kenya in 2007.

“The need to put the YWCA’s mission in action is more relevant than ever,” Punzalan-Randle said. “As living proof of what happens when YWCA programs do what they're set out to do, I look forward to elevating the YWCA’s position as a champion for advancing race equity, gender equity and social justice in the Knoxville region and beyond. Returning to my hometown roots to serve the organization that taught me how to jump into the deep end – literally and figuratively – is a lifelong dream.”

Punzalan-Randle has lived and worked in the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area of Florida for the last 18 years. Most recently, she served as community engagement manager for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Prior to that, she served as director of community and media relations for Eckerd College and as director of resources for the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.

Punzalan-Randle has a deep background in leadership and management; program development and oversight; budgeting, grant writing and fundraising; and community engagement. She is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis.

In addition to the YWCA, Punzalan-Randle is an active community volunteer. She currently serves as State President of the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/FL) and is a member of both the Pinellas County Urban League and the Association for Community Health Improvement. She previously was a board member of the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, served on the Juvenile Welfare Board and was chair of the U.N. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Pinellas County.

“We are delighted to welcome Alizza to the YWCA family and know she will be a perfect fit,” said Julia Bentley, chair of the YWCA board of directors. “We also are so grateful to Marigail Mullin, who has been an extraordinary visionary and has lead the YWCA to new heights since assuming the CEO role nearly 12 years ago. Under her leadership and through her amazing team, the YWCA has more than doubled the women and families served; strengthened and added critical programs; and upheld our mission, day-in and day-out. The strength and reach of our Victims’ Advocacy; Game Changers; Keys of Hope Housing; Club W Health and Fitness; and Phyllis Wheatley afterschool, summer and community programs are evidence of the strong leadership and vision of Marigail and of the dedicated employees of the YWCA.”

“We are also very appreciative that Marigail let the board know of her planned retirement more than two years ago so that we could execute an orderly transition,” Bentley added. “She has graciously agreed to help Alizza transition into her new role through the end of September. After that, Marigail is eager to begin her new role as Chief Capital Campaign Officer, reporting directly to the board of directors. As we embark on the next important phase of our growth – completely renovating and updating our beautiful, historic downtown building to serve even more deserving, at-risk women – we are so fortunate that Marigail will be able to lead us in this important endeavor.”

During Mullin’s tenure with the YWCA, the organization increased its annual budget by 80%, annual grant funding and other contributions by more than 100%, annual fundraising through special events by nearly 400% and total assets by more than 50%.

In 2015, the YWCA began offering services to victims of domestic violence in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, and in early 2017, the organization acquired the former YWCA of Oak Ridge building to support these expanded services. In September 2017, YWCA Knoxville officially changed its name to YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley to reflect its growth and future expansion plans. Starting July 1, YWCA also is expanding its bilingual domestic violence and victim advocacy support services to Roane and Loudon counties.

“I am so proud of the YWCA, all it stands for and everything our team has accomplished over the past twelve years,” Mullin said. “The board made a great selection in Alizza, and I look forward to working closely with her and building on the success and mission of our organization.”

YWCA plans to announce more about its upcoming capital campaign in the coming months, following the CEO transition.

For more information about YWCA, its mission and programs, visit www.ywcaknox.com.