As the new President & CEO, I want to take a moment to reflect on my first 30 days here at BGCGW.

First, I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome you’ve extended.

When I accepted this role, I committed to spending my first months listening, learning, and building relationships before making assumptions. Over the past 30 days, that commitment has only deepened. Every conversation, every meeting, and every Club visit has reinforced something I already believed before arriving: BGCGW is powered by extraordinary people who are deeply committed to changing young lives.

The work that matters most happens at our Clubs, so that’s where I spent as much of my time as I could. I began what I hope becomes one of my favorite traditions, Friday Club visits, starting with Clubhouse 6 and Drew Freeman Middle School. There is no better way to understand our work than by spending time with the young people we serve and the staff who make it happen every day. At each stop, I’ve been asking the same two questions:

  • What’s working?
  • What’s getting in your way?

I’m listening closely to those answers, and they’re already shaping how I think about where we go next.

That frontline impact came through again and again:

  • Center of Transformation Summit Week — I watched our youth grow in confidence, leadership, and character. At the closing luncheon, our students from Puerto Rico presented on digital safety, and one statistic they shared has stuck with me: the average person spends at least four hours a day on a screen, which adds up to roughly six years of our lives spent staring at a phone. Watching our kids teach the rest of us was one of the highlights of my month.
  • Inaugural Alumni Luncheon — Hearing alumni reflect on how the Clubs shaped their lives, and watching our graduating seniors prepare for their next chapter, was a powerful reminder that our impact extends far beyond a single program or school year. The relationships we build today create leaders for tomorrow.
  • Great Wolf Lodge, Perryville, MD (earlier today, and maybe my most memorable experience yet) — Three of our Club members, Nick, Kausar, and Elias, teamed up with a Washington Commanders rookie for a charity challenge against Clubs from the Giants’ and Eagles’ markets, competing in games throughout the indoor water park. Alongside Mo’, I watched our kids represent BGCGW with confidence and joy, and the day brought in a guaranteed donation of at least $10,000 to support our work. Win or lose, seeing our young people light up was the clearest reminder of exactly why we do this.

None of that frontline work happens on its own. In my first week, I met with many of our Shared Services team members, the “backstage crew” that helps power our mission. Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but none of our success would be possible without them. I also spent time calling donors to thank them for their partnership, attended the Prince William County Golf Tournament that helps fund our work, led my first Board of Directors meeting, saw the passion our volunteer leaders have for this organization, and joined my first Fish Fry at the Alexandria Club, where Jim Almond continues a wonderful summer tradition of recognizing our staff. Together, these reminded me that our culture is built not only through the work we do, but through the relationships and support that make it possible.

Part of my job is to help us tighten how we operate so that every kid gets the same excellent experience no matter which Club they walk into. That kind of work is not quick or easy, and I can’t do it from behind a desk. I’m going to need everyone — it truly will take a village to raise the next generation to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults. I don’t have all the answers yet, and I’m not interested in change for its own sake. But we are going to get better, together, at the things that matter most for the young people we serve.

As I look ahead, I remain committed to listening, learning, and leading with transparency. I plan to continue sharing updates like this at the 60-day and 90-day marks, so you can hear directly from me about what I’m learning, what I’m seeing, and where we’re headed together.

Most importantly, thank you. Whether you welcome members each afternoon, mentor teens, maintain our facilities, process payroll, manage finances, cultivate donors, support our technology, or keep our operations running behind the scenes, your work matters. Every role contributes to the success of our mission, and I am grateful to be part of this team.

As summer camp gets fully underway, I want to wish everyone a safe, fun, and memorable season. Thank you for everything you do to create life-changing opportunities for the young people and families we serve. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Clubs throughout the summer.

Kindest regards,

Eddie

Eddie L. Koen, MPA, JD
President & CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
4103 Benning Road, NE | Washington, DC 20019