Tay Walker, Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Walker has been a public health leader and a women’s health advocate for over 24 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public health, and she is working on her doctorate degree in psychology. She is a member of the American Public Health Association, the National Society for Public Health Education, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Ms. Walker has previously worked as a President/CEO at a federally funded health center that provided access to critical reproductive health care services in Ocean County. In addition, she held positions as an Executive Director at a licensed adoption agency in Camden County, as a Deputy State Registrar for the New Jersey Department of Health, and as an Early Childhood & Health Services Administrator at Camden County Head Start in Camden City.

Throughout her career, Ms. Walker has successfully maneuvered the delicate balance between the dedication to mission, the need for bold entrepreneurial initiatives, and the application of sound business management.

Ms. Walker has experience managing the day-to-day operations of multi-site, multi-million-dollar programs with various funding streams. She has significant experience working as an integrated member of senior leadership teams for several federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in multi-cultural neighborhoods that were plagued by high-rates of infant mortality, teen fertility, unintended pregnancies, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, substance abuse, and chronic health conditions. She has experience working with communities of color, LGBTQ communities, ethnic and religious communities, people with multiple disabilities, and immigrant communities.

In bringing her experience and commitment to the YWCA Princeton, Ms. Walker is aiming to raise the organization’s profile, and to re-energizing the Princeton community around the YW’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and ensuring the wellbeing of children and youth in Mercer County. Ms. Walker is committed to working with the dynamic members of the Board of Directors, and her team of dedicated professionals to strengthen and build new strategic community alliances. Ms. Walker is committed to racial justice, and women’s rights.

Rose Wong, Chief Finance and Operating officer

Jenn Johnston, Chief Development Officer

Jenn has over 10 years of experience in nonprofits across the country. She began her career at a small organization in Boston focused on empowering teen girls through media; there, she found a deep passion for philanthropy, community mobilization, and social change. In addition to Beantown, Jenn has worked with and advised organizations in San Francisco, Portland, Philadelphia, and more on fundraising, event, public relations, and volunteer activities. Most recently, Jenn headed the communications and development department at Arm In Arm, creating pathways to stability and self-sufficiency for vulnerable communities across Mercer County through food, housing, and job support.

Jenn is personally passionate about the YW’s mission work and feels grateful to be part of a global movement to create a better world for those most marginalized and least heard. She believes we are more powerful together, and that collective impact can make real, systemic change.

Jenn is originally from New Jersey and relocated back to the area in 2018 with her partner and cat, Mark and Sir Raymond, respectively.

Tara O’Shea, Director of Child Care & Programs

As the Director of Child Care & Programs for the YWCA Princeton Tara  O’Shea is responsible for the daily operations of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton and youth programs. This includes but is not limited to ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for infants and school-aged children. She manages a staff of over 20, which includes the TBFECC, After School Program, Dance, Aquatics and Robotics and Summer enrichment. Tara’s responsibility, vast experience, and strong communication skills are just a few of the essential traits Tara possesses in this role.

Since January 2007, Tara O’Shea has served as the YWCA Princeton Director of Youth Programs and has been responsible for managing the youth activities, which include gymnastics and martial arts, summer camps and winter/spring breaks, Princeton University reunion camps, and after school programs sponsored by the YWCA. In this capacity, she facilitates the development of new programs, oversees the program offerings, and supervises staff across the departments to ensure these programs embody the YWCA’s mission and serve the needs of the community.  She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. She presently serves on the Princeton Early Childhood Advisory Council (PECAC). This council includes parents, community members and early childhood educators of Princeton, brought together for the purpose of collaboration and advisory to support young children and their families.  She is a member of the National After School Alliance (NAA). She  works closely with the NJSACC: The Statewide Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities for  quality improvements in the after school program focusing on SEL ( Social Emotional Learning) and inclusion.  A grant funds from the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development.

Tara has been an active member of the YWCA  since she joined the organization in 1996.  She saw the importance of bringing her then 2 young children to the YW for swimming lessons, and learned the importance of feeling comfortable  & safe in and around the water, whether it be a pool, lake or ocean.

In 1998 in conjunction with the Aquatic Director, she planned and implemented the YWCA Princeton Aquatic Outreach Program at the West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School.  She remains involved in the program as an instructor.

Tara’s educational/recreational experience includes over 25 years of working with youths, from infants to school-age children, teaching land & water exercises from young adults to seasoned adults, teaching learn to Swim lessons that includes Parent/Toddler classes to learn to swim Levels 1-6 & Lifeguard Training & Water Safety Instructor.

This array of experiences has allowed Tara to stay focused on utilizing the most developmentally appropriate practices in cognitive development, exploratory play, and physical and motor development for children. Furthermore, the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women shapes both Tara’s child care program as well as her leadership style. She values inclusivity and diversity in her classrooms—from students to staff, and works to ensure anti-bullying and tolerance are practiced in each classroom.

Tara received a BA in Early Childhood Education Masters in Reading from Brooklyn College. She also holds certifications as an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer for Lifeguard Training & Water Safety Instructor.