Growing up in Michigan, Lawrence Cho and his siblings considered it a treat on the rare occasions they participated in a YMCA program.
But Lawrence came to appreciate the impact of the YMCA through his parents' experience.
Korean immigrants, Lawrence's parents worked long hours and didn't have much free time. But during his high school years, his parents became regular members at a YMCA.
"Some of my favorite memories I have is just going with my dad to the Y, and he'd be shooting the breeze with all the old guys," Lawrence recalls. "We would just spend a lot of time together doing that on Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings before church, and, to me, that was just a way for him to plug into a broader community, outside of church, work and Koreans."
Lawrence's parents now split time between Minnesota and Michigan, but the Y is their common denominator.
"The Y is the one constant that they have, and they go probably six days a week," Lawrence says. "I hear about the same people all the time. It's meant a lot to me for them to have some stability in community when they are here helping us out."
Lawrence currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Allina, where he is responsible for advancing and sustaining Allina Health’s strategic, innovation and growth initiatives, while prioritizing the acceleration of organizational performance. Prior to joining Allina, he also worked at Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, McKinsey & Company and General Mills. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Check out highlights of Lawrence's interview:
On his inspiration to join the YMCA of the North board: “Post-COVID, there’s been a lot of retreating and not as much community sharing. I see the Y as one of those avenues that people can have community together. It’s something that should be accessible, and I think the Y has a great mission to be able to do that, not only for seniors, but for families, for kids, and folks in all different types of neighborhoods, socioeconomic status, and diverse backgrounds. That's something that I strongly believe in, and I thought that I could make a contribution and help the Y's mission, whether it be thinking about what the future could be for the Y or helping to support the current team members and what they're doing or, plugging in and helping make connections in other communities that I work in.
On what well-being for all means to him: “Coming from healthcare, where we’re designed for sick care versus wellbeing, I completely believe in the Y’s mission. There’s a tremendous opportunity for us to not only bring communities together, but deliver on that focus area of wellbeing for all, which will be beneficial for all now and into the future.
"I'm part of a family that's busy doing everything, and sometimes the well-being of my wife and I are the last things we think about, unfortunately. This is not only for us but reaching folks who might not have access to something like the Y, but it's also accessing folks who do have access but that just can't prioritize it. How do we engage folks? Because I think we have to think about community holistically, across every spectrum."
On what moves him right now: "It's really about that community building, and being able to be in communities. I think the Y can be destinations where people go to. I'm hopeful to see and learn more about — and help support — how we get to and reach folks. It doesn't have to be just the physical building. I think of all of the programs and camps that are outside the physical buildings but still builds community."