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Branch Directors
Jason Pedigo Branch Director Ken Shannon Northwest YMCA

Jason Pedigo, Branch Director

Jason graduated from Wichita State University in 2004 with a BA in Sport Administration. He began his career with the Y in 2003 as an intern and Manager on Duty for the South YMCA. In 2005, he left Wichita to become a Sports Director for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. He returned in 2009 as the Sports Director of the new Andover YMCA. In that role, he’s served on the Andover Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the City of Andover Parks Committee. He also earned the Annual Campaign Staff Campaigner of the Year award for the Andover YMCA, as well as the Kevin Padrnos award for the Greater Wichita YMCA.

Staff
Tina Stein Senior Program Director Ken Shannon Northwest YMCA

Tina Stein, Senior Program Director

Tina has worked for the Northwest YMCA for numerous years and has served in multiple departments throughout the YMCA. Her first job when she turned 16 was here at the Northwest YMCA in our aquatics department where she was a lifeguard, lead guard, swim instructor, and swim coach. After taking 2 years away from the Y she came back and joined the team as our Fitness Service Associate where she was promoted to Assistant Fitness Director and Youth Wellness Coordinator in September of 2014. From there Tina moved into our Aquatics Director role in 2018 and served as our Director until October of 2019 where she took on her current title as Senior Program Director over Group Exercise, Youth and Family, Swim Team and Sports. 

Heather Loveless, Senior Program Director, Northwest YMCA

Heather Loveless, Senior Program Director

Heather graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in Broad Social Sciences with a Coaching Endorsement. Impacted by her interests in sports and community engagement, she furthered her education at Wichita State University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Sports Administration. She began her career for the Greater Wichita YMCA in 1995 at the West Branch as the aquatic’s coordinator. She then moved to the East Branch to be the Program Director over Aquatics, Youth and Family, Aerobics/Adult Fitness, and Youth and Adult Sports in 1996. Finally, in 1999 she moved to the South Branch to become the first Membership Director at the newly built facility. Following her impactful tenure at the YMCA, Heather transitioned to a career in education, driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. For the next 19 years, she dedicated herself to teaching and mentoring high school students. She took on various roles such as teacher, community dean, ticket manager, as well as softball and volleyball coach. Her commitment to fostering growth and development for sports and recreation led her back to the Greater Wichita YMCA in 2023 as a Senior Program Director at the Ken Shannon Northwest Branch.

Kaitlyn Keck Aquatics Director

Kaitlyn Pearson, Senior Program Director

Degree
M.Ed. in Sport Management, Wichita State University and B.S. in Health Management, Friends University
Certifications
YMCA Certified Lifeguard

Kaitlyn has a M.Ed. in Sport Management from Wichita State University and a B.S. in Health Management from Friends University. Her passion for aquatics started at a young age when she started swimming competitively for the Haysville Swim Team. After working at the Haysville Pool for 8 summers she moved to the Kansas City area to work full-time as an Aquatics Supervisor for 4 years. Recently, she moved back to be closer to family. One of her favorite things about aquatics is the opportunity for children to learn water safety skills that keep them safe around the water. 

Lavonn, Greater Wichita YMCA

Lavonn Warren, Fitness Director

Degree
B.S. Exercise and Sport Science; M.S. Exercise and Sport Science from University of Central Florida
Certifications
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Specialty
Improving Athletic Performance

Lavonn graduated with a Master of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida and has combined 8 years of experience training his clients for strength, weight loss, and athletic development. He is a certified personal trainer as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Scott Hill Sports Director

Scott Hill, Sports Director

Scott holds a BA in Sport Management from Wichita State University.  He has over 25 years of experience involved in organized sports, extensively but not limited to baseball.  He serves on the board for a local NBC baseball team, Kansas Canons. After completing his internship as Facility and Operations intern at the South Farha Sports Center, Scott become the Sport Director at the East YMCA before transitioning to Northwest.

Denayr Robinson

Denayr Robinson, Membership Director

Degree
Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from Wichita State University

Denayr is a graduate from Wichita State University where he studied Sports Management. He has been working for the YMCA for the past few years in the membership department. He started as the MOD (Manager on Duty) at the Steve Clark YMCA on the WSU campus. After he transitioned into a Membership Director position at the Northwest YMCA. He loves seeing people achieve their goals each and every day when they come into the YMCA.

Kelly Patterson Dance Director

Kelly Patterson, Dance Director

Degree
BFA in Dance and a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship from San Diego State University

Kelly Patterson is a dance choreographer, performer and educator. She began dancing in high school and has been teaching dance for over 10 years. Kelly has a BFA in Dance and a B.S in Business Administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship from San Diego State University. She specializes in contemporary ballet, modern dance, lyrical dance and somatic dance practices. She has taught dance in California, Wyoming and Kansas and has a passion for teaching and working with youth.

Caitlyn Craig, Greater Wichita YMCA

Caitlin Craig, Gymnastics Director

Caitlin began her career with the YMCA in 2016 as a dance and gymnastics instructor at the South branch. Upon graduating from Wichita State University with a degree in Dance, she stepped into the role of Dance and Gymnastics Director and lead those programs for 3.5 years. In July of 2022 she transitioned over to the Membership Director role, still at the same branch. While she enjoyed getting to serve our members and build connections through daily interactions at the front desk, she is excited to step back into gymnastics and invest in the youth here at Northwest! Caitlin is passionate about reaching the youth in our community and instilling lifelong skills and values in them!

Abby Simpson

Abriel Schmidt, Aquatics Director II

Certifications
YMCA Lifeguard, YMCA Swim Instructor, YMCA LGI, YSLT, Safety Certification Instructor, and EMT Certified
Specialty
Adaptive, Preschool, and Behavioral Challenge Swim Lessons

Abbie started working at the Northwest YMCA in 2019 as a Rock Wall Instructor. During this time, Abbie became a certified EMT. Utilizing her knowledge and background in medicine, she furthered her experience at the Northwest YMCA in the Aquatics Department teaching swim lessons, while still conducting rock-climbing classes. In 2021, Abbie advanced her career at the Northwest YMCA becoming the Aquatics Coordinator. Fulfilling a larger role at the Newton YMCA in November of 2021, Abbie became the Aquatic Director. Her passion and extensive knowledge of the Aquatics Department led her back to the Northwest YMCA in February 2024, where she certifies and supervises lifeguards and swim instructors, as well as oversees both the indoor and outdoor waterpark as the Aquatic Director.

Mark Casanova Maintenance Director

Mark Casanova, Maintenance Director

Raeann Miller, Youth and Family Coordinator, Northwest YMCA

Raeann Miller, Youth and Family Coordinator

Raeann started working for the Y in May of 2022 as a Childcare & Summer Camp Lead and moved up to a Site Coordinator in Washington State. She moved back to Kansas in the summer of 2023 and wanted to continue her career with the Y and building relationships with families. She is now the Youth and Family Coordinator for the Northwest YMCA.

Jandee Nave, Group Exercise Coordinator

Jandee Nave, Group Exercise Coordinator

Degree
B.S. in Fitness Management and Administration from Pittsburg State University
Degree
Masters in Physical Education from Pittsburg State University

Jandee began her career at the Ken Shannon NW YMCA in 2017 teaching group exercise classes. She has taught many formats over her years of instructing such as dance, water, step, and kickboxing. Her passion is dancing and movement. Jandee recently stepped into the group exercise coordinator role and appreciated the opportunity to pour into other instructors and members who were looking for motivation to continue to find their place in the industry and classroom. When she isn’t at the YMCA you can find her at home or out with her family.

Nate Jensen Head Swim Coach

Nate Jensen, Northwest Neptunes Swim Team Head Coach

Nate has been with the Northwest YMCA for two years. He has a B.G.S. in Psychology from Wichita State University, is a trained massage therapist and a certified nursing assistant. Previously, Nate has vast experience in the health and retail fields and prior to becoming head coach was the Head Age Group Coach and Assistant Coach for the Neptunes Swim Team. He was a Scholarship Swimmer for the University of Wyoming and in High School was a N.I.S.C.A. High School All-American in the 100 Butterfly (1998) and a Kansas High School 6A State Champion in 100 Butterfly (1997). Nate has one son, Jack.

Logan Mount, Greater Wichita YMCA

Logan Mount, Sports Coordinator

Logan is a graduate from Friends University where he studied Computer Science. He has been working for the YMCA for the past few years as an official for various sports. He started as a Site Supervisor at the Northwest YMCA before transitioning into the Sports Coordinator position.

Personal Trainers
Lavonn, Greater Wichita YMCA

Lavonn Warren, Fitness Director

Degree
B.S. Exercise and Sport Science; M.S. Exercise and Sport Science from University of Central Florida
Certifications
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Specialty
Improving Athletic Performance

Lavonn graduated with a Master of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida and has combined 8 years of experience training his clients for strength, weight loss, and athletic development. He is a certified personal trainer as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Jo Bensing

Jo Bensing

Degree
B.A. in Health and Wellness
Certifications
ISSA- Certified Personal Trainer, ISSA-Nutrition Certified
Specialty
Beginner Fitness, Weight Loss, Weightlifting (Beginner to Intermediate)

Jo Bensing graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness and is a certified personal trainer with specializations in Corrective Exercise (NASM) and Nutrition (ISSA). Jo originally became a trainer because she wanted to help people find their version of "fit." Exercise is her passion, and she finds joy sharing her knowledge and experience with others. She has been doing so successfully at the Northwest branch for a little over 2 years. Jo’s passion continues to drive her as she spends a lot of her free time learning more about effective mobility, flexibility, and corrective exercise techniques. She believes that a body that moves well has less pain and ages more gracefully. Jo approaches fitness and training the same way she approaches many other things in life… by being real with people, having fun on the journey, and eating a little of the cake, but not the whole cake!

Ann Wierwille, Personal Trainer at the Northwest YMCA

Ann Wierwille

Degree
BA Business Administration, BA Marketing, Lakeland University, 3rd Degree Black Belt
Specialty
Martial Arts, Adaptive Clients, Weight Loss

Ann started her fitness journey in 2012 at 240 pounds. Her life changed when she hired a personal trainer and lost almost 100 pounds. This inspired her to help others in their weight loss journey through martial arts and now as a YMCA Personal Trainer. She has a passion to help adaptive athletes and has helped people with Autism, Stroke victims, Down’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s, age related issues and many more. She uses range of motion, weight exercises, weight transfer and several mindful techniques to help improve coordination of mind/body, balance, mobility, flexibility, strength, and general health. Her goal is to inspire people to become healthy, better versions of themselves through fitness and to keep age-related illnesses knocking at the door but not letting them in. She is continuing her education with a specialty in corrective exercises and working towards her 4th Degree Black Belt.
 

Gavyn Veith, Greater Wichita YMCA Personal Trainer

Gavyn Veith

Certifications
American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM)
Specialty
Compound lifts, Sport-Specific Strength and Conditioning, Pre/Post-Natal Fitness

Gavyn has over 16 years of experience in the fitness space, including time as a competitive weightlifting and as a NCAA All-American Track and Field athlete at Wichita State University in 2017. As a devoted mother of two little ones, she understands the difficulties of balancing health and wellness with the demands of parenthood. Join her on a transformative path where you're not just achieving fitness goals; you're embracing a journey towards a healthier, stronger, and more vibrant version of yourself.

Kyle Kalivoda, Greater Wichita YMCA Personal Trainer

Kyle Kalivoda

Certifications
ACE YMCA CPT
Specialty
Weight Loss, Strength Training, General Wellness

With a commendable 10 years of active-duty Air Force service and an additional 6 years in the Air Force Reserves, Kyle brings a unique perspective to fitness honed across various global assignments. After being stationed at bases in South Korea, Japan, Texas and Kansas; as well as three deployments in Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait, his resilience extends far beyond the fitness center. His passion for health and fitness has been a driving force for 14 years, fueled by a genuine appreciation for the small strides that lead to significant accomplishments.

Jess Duran, Greater Wichita YMCA Personal Trainer

Jess Duran

Certifications
Y-USA/ACE Personal Trainer
Specialty
Powerlifting, Strength Training

Jess Duran is a seasoned fitness enthusiast with over 9 years of experience in body sculpting and power lifting. After serving as the Physical Training Leader (PTL) for the Air Force from 2015 to 2017, and again from 2019 to 2020, Jess brings the Northwest YMCA a disciplined approach to wellness cultivated through military training. Jess achieved 3rd place in the 2016 Health and Bodybuilding Figure Show, showcasing a commitment to excellence in both form and function. They continue to demonstrate this commitment by training and competing as a powerlifting athlete. Jess is ready to guide you on a personalized journey towards your health and wellness goals.

Kenna Lane

Kenna Lane

Certifications
Y-USA/ACE Personal Trainer
Specialty
Sports Specific Training: Volleyball

Kenna Lane became a certified Personal Trainer for the YMCA in December of 2023. She is currently studying to receive a degree in Health Science and is expected to graduate in [month/year]. Kenna does this all while coaching girls’ volleyball and travelling to work at competitions all over Kansas. Volleyball has been a huge part of her life since she fell in love with the sport at the age of 8 years old. Her passion and commitment to the sport lead her to playing for three years on her high school varsity team and for two years at Hutch Community College and Friends University. Kenna believes that using resistance training to become stronger is an integral aspect of sports performance and injury prevention. Her goal is to use what she is learning to help people achieve their goals.

Jonathan Brewer

Degree
B.A. Exercise Science
Certifications
ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist, Y-USA/ACE Personal Trainer, EMT, TRX, LIVESTRONG
Specialty
Pre-Existing Health Conditions, Kettle Bell, Weight Loss, Sport-Specific Training

Corey Ratzlaff

Degree
B.A. Exercise Science, Minor Sport Admin
Certifications
ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist, Y-USA/ACE Personal Trainer, Pilates Tower
Jayne Roberts

Jayne Roberts

Specialty
Sport-Specific Training (Basketball & Volleyball)