Christy McClendon is an accomplished leader in the nonprofit sector and currently serves as president and CEO of New Pathways for Youth, a Phoenix-based organization that transforms lives through mentoring and life skill development, resulting in the disruption of chronic poverty for our most vulnerable youth. Her passion in life is ensuring that all youth ─ regardless of background, family situation or economic status — know they matter and that their dreams are achievable.
McClendon’s passion for youth and mentoring is a result of her own experience ─ she knows first-hand that mentorship works. Because of mentors in her own life, she has overcome the adversities that many of our community’s highest-risk youth face. Through her profession as a nonprofit leader, she continues to pay it forward — eager to address the greatest challenges facing youth development. As someone with more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in various leadership roles, McClendon is not only passionate about creating positive youth outcomes, but knowledgeable about the issues facing youth in our community.
McClendon has a strong reputation for leading organizations and developing accredited, collaborative programs. Her strategic approach to building skilled staff teams and governing boards of directors strengthens organizations for long-term sustainability. She is an experienced fundraiser, demonstrating a keen business sense for diversifying funding sources and leading annual as well as capital campaigns.
McClendon graduated with honors from Spalding University, where she earned a Master of Social Work with a dual focus in social entrepreneurialism and clinical studies. She is a graduate of Valley Leadership Institute Class 33 and a founding member of Suns Charities 88.
As a non-profit executive, McClendon has demonstrated her commitment to the profession, making an impact not only on the organizations she has worked for but on the community as a whole. She serves as a field instructor in ASU’s School of Social Work and in other professional associations related to the field. She has received many recognitions for her contributions to the community, including the 25 Most Admired Leaders of 2018 by Phoenix Business Journal, 2014 Public Sector Athena by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Western Kentucky University Health
and Human Services Hall of Fame, Top 25 CEOs by the Phoenix Business Journal, 50 Most Powerful Women Business Leaders by AZ Business Magazine, and 20 Women Who Will Shape the Valley by 2020 by the Arizona Republic.
And, although her extensive list of professional honors is remarkable, what she is most proud of is her relationship with her New Pathways for Youth mentee, Michelle. Michelle, despite growing up in poverty and adversity and having parents who were incarcerated, is the first generation in her family to attend college — something McClendon and her mentee have in common.
Company Name: New Pathways for Youth
Main Office Address: 1001 E. Pierce St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Phone: (602) 422-9261
Website: www.npfy.org
No. of Years with Firm: 6
Year Established Locally: 1989
