James Morton

James Morton retired on December 31, 2022 from his role as the 13th President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. The YMCA of Greater Boston, America’s first YMCA, is one of the largest private social services providers in Massachusetts. It offers programs and services that nurture the potential of every child and teen, support healthy living and well-being, promote social responsibility, and advance diversity, equity and inclusion for all. Prior to joining the YMCA of Greater Boston, James served as the President and CEO of YMCAs in Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts.

James also has a deep professional connection to work force development and education, having served as a leader of two work force development agencies and as an educator in the Springfield (MA) Public Schools.

For 18 years, he practiced law in greater Boston and Springfield, with a focus on housing, small business development, domestic relations, and contracts.

James earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Salem State University.

He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership Board, Boston After School and Beyond Board, The Lynch Foundation Board of Trustees, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Community Advisory Board, and Rockland Trust Board of Directors. In addition, he has been an active participant on numerous YMCA of the USA committees on youth development, executive leadership development, and multiculturalism. He is an active member of the African-American YMCA CEO Network.

In 2020, he was recognized as one of Boston’s Power 50 by the Boston Business Journal for his leadership during the Coronavirus health crisis and, in 2021, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People by Boston Magazine.