YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

at the Historic St. Petersburg Coliseum
7:30AM - 9AM; Doors open at 7AM

with Speakers Erin Gruwell & Suzanne McCormick

and Opening Remarks from City of St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch

Keynote Speakers

Suzanne McCormick

Suzanne McCormick is the first woman to lead YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the Y — a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Collectively, the nation's YMCAs engage more than 17.4 million members — including 6.4 million of whom are under the age of 18 — annually.

Suzanne became President and CEO of Y-USA in September 2021. A nonprofit executive with 31 years of leadership experience at the national and local levels, she previously served for three years as U.S. President for United Way Worldwide, responsible for helping the 1,100 United Ways across the U.S. build more resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. She also was a member of the UWW global management team and executive sponsor of United Way's Women United Global Leadership Council.

Suzanne spent five years as President and CEO of United Way Suncoast in Tampa, Florida, where she led a strategic plan to break the cycle of generational poverty, drove fundraising growth and increased community impact. During her tenure, she was Chair of the United Way of Florida, one of the largest United Way state associations. She also served as Chair of the United Way Network Partnership Group, which focused on developing and activating powerful philanthropy initiatives, and the National Professional Council, which advised the CEO of United Way Worldwide on strategic initiatives.

Suzanne's 13 years at United Way of Greater Portland in Maine included four as President and CEO. She also was CEO for both the American Red Cross of Southern Maine and the People's Regional Opportunity Program in Maine.

Forbes named Suzanne to its 50 Over 50 List in the Impact category in 2023. The NonProfit Times recognized Suzanne in the Power & Influence Top 50, its annual celebration of the nonprofit sector's top executives and strategists, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She serves on the boards of directors of Independent Sector and the National Fitness Foundation.

She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Duke University and is an alumna of the Peace Corps.

Erin Gruwell

Erin Gruwell is an acclaimed teacher, author, and activist dedicated to championing equity and social justice. She first captured national attention through an ABC PrimeTime Live special with Connie Chung, where she and her 150 students, known as the Freedom Writers, shared their powerful stories. These students, hailing from backgrounds filled with poverty, gang influence, and violence, faced significant risks of dropping out due to the school-to-prison pipeline. However, under Erin's inspirational guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education. Their journey was chronicled in the 1999 book, "The Freedom Writers Diary," which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and highlighted their transformation from adversity to triumph.

As the Freedom Writers celebrate their 30th anniversary, Erin's story remains as impactful as ever. The book's success led to its adaptation into the major motion picture "Freedom Writers," starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank as Erin. The film amplified Erin's impact, and she has since leveraged her platform to further advocate for equity and inclusion through her non-profit organization, the Freedom Writers Foundation.

Erin's transformative work has earned her numerous humanitarian accolades, including the prestigious Spirit of Anne Frank Award. She and the Freedom Writers have appeared on prominent television programs such as Oprah, The View, Good Morning America, and NBC's TODAY, and have been featured on National Public Radio and in major publications like People magazine. Their story was also showcased in the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary "Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart."

In addition to her educational reform efforts, Erin hosts "The Freedom Writers Podcast," featuring conversations with authors, activists, and civil rights icons. In 2022, Erin and the Freedom Writers Foundation released their latest book, "Dear Freedom Writer," which pairs heartfelt letters from a new generation of students with personal responses from the original Freedom Writers. Erin Gruwell's compelling message of hope and possibility resonates deeply with audiences, inspiring them to stand up, speak up, and speak out. Her powerful narratives and tireless advocacy make her an exceptional choice for keynotes and presentations, where she continues to motivate and empower listeners around the world.