Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Announces Leadership Transition
The Californer/10340229

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Californer -- Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley (BGCSV) today announced a leadership transition designed to strengthen the organization's long-term impact, accelerate philanthropic growth, and ensure continued excellence in serving local youth.

BGCSV's Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Mark Washbush as President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, reporting directly to the Board and assuming responsibility for all organizational operations and management. Washbush succeeds Steve Wymer, who will transition from President and CEO and assume a newly created role as Founding Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Foundation, where he will support the organization's fundraising, including the expansion of BGCSV's endowment and the Smythe Teen Center capital campaign. Additionally, the Board expects to appoint Wymer to succeed Marybeth Gonzales as BGCSV Board Chair when her term concludes later this year.

Under Wymer's leadership, BGCSV has experienced historic growth—expanding its footprint, deepening its programs, and increasing the number of youth served by nearly tenfold. After arriving in 2020, Wymer's growth efforts added more than 30 Club sites to the organization's footprint and led to a successful merger with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa, coupled with strategic expansion through new district partnerships across the county—together resulting in services to more than 1,000 additional youth in high‑need communities. Wymer's tenure also brought the implementation of multiple new high-impact program offerings and unprecedented fundraising and resource expansion. Wymer opened an administrative office in downtown San Jose in 2024 that has led to the organization becoming entrenched in the downtown community and now serves as the headquarter offices for the nearly 500 employees of BGCSV. Spearheaded by Wymer, BGCSV also began fundraising and planning in 2025 for the creation of a new teen center on San Jose's east side.

More on The Californer

• All American Home Renovators: Transforming Bathrooms into Masterpieces, One Home at a Time
• Bold Beauty Project Celebrates Anniversary with Collaborative Exhibition at FIU's Miami Beach Urban Studios
• Pacific Emblem Company Launches "Happy 250th Birthday America" Collection and Proud Supporter of the Gary Sinise Foundation
• Breeze of Joy Foundation Earns Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency for 2026
• Fresh Hibiscus LLC Launches Official Unsplash Account to Share Global Visual Assets

"Steve's tenure has been nothing short of transformational," said Marybeth Gonzales, Chair of the BGCSV Board of Directors. "When he arrived, we were serving a fraction of the young people we serve today. Because of his vision, persistence, and heart for this community, BGCSV now reaches nearly ten times as many kids as it did before. This transition allows us to build on that extraordinary momentum while positioning the organization for its next chapter of impact."

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan praised Wymer's service and welcomed Washbush into his new role. "I want to thank Steve Wymer for his years of leadership and service to the young people of our region," Mahan said. "BGCSV is a cornerstone of opportunity for so many families, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mark Washbush as he leads the organization forward in service of kids and our community."

Wymer expressed gratitude for the opportunity for continued service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley mission. "It has been a tremendous honor to lead BGCSV for nearly six years," said Steve Wymer. "I am deeply grateful to our board, staff, partners, and supporters—and most of all to the young people who inspire us every day. I'm thrilled Mark is stepping into this role to help usher BGCSV into the next season of growth and excited to continue serving this important mission leading the creation of the BGCSV Foundation to ensure we have the resources needed to serve generations of kids to come."

Community partners also welcomed the transition. Preston Smith, Co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Public Schools shared, "Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley has been a critical partner in ensuring our students and families have access to safe, enriching environments beyond the school day. Our shared commitment to partnering with families and expanding access to opportunity for our students has made a meaningful difference in our communities. We're grateful for Steve's leadership and partnership, and we look forward to continuing this work with Mark as BGCSV expands its impact for the communities we are proud to serve."

More on The Californer

• Hope Flood's 11th Annual Comics Rock Convention
• Joanna Pearl Earns Back-to-Back Film Festival Official Selections In India And Southern California
• California: Governor Newsom welcomes NASA's Artemis II crew back to Earth, touching down in the Golden State
• DRC Restoration, a Solid Restoration Brand, Supports Southern California Homeowners Amid Rapid Insurance Industry Changes
• Bold Beauty Project Announces Exhibition at Palazzo Mora Venice, Italy

Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner added, "I want to thank Steve Wymer for his leadership and commitment to youth, and for the impact Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley continues to have in Morgan Hill and beyond. Our community has benefited tremendously from this partnership, and we look forward to continuing this important work with Mark Washbush leading the organization forward."

Washbush, who has been with BGCSV in a senior leadership role for more than a decade, expressed both humility and excitement about the opportunity ahead. "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and lead an organization I love so dearly," said Mark Washbush. "Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley changes lives every day, and I'm honored to work alongside our amazing team, board, and partners to keep expanding what's possible for the kids and families we serve."

The Board noted that management changes are effective immediately and emphasized that this transition reflects strength, stability, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity for young people across Silicon Valley.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley
For more than 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley (BGCSV) has been a leading force for youth development in the Silicon Valley, delivering innovative afterschool and summer enrichment programs that support primarily low-income and at-risk youth ages 4–18+. Through a strong network of clubs, dedicated mentors, and community partnerships, BGCSV is able to ensure the next generation is equipped with the tools they need to succeed in school, career, and life. Guided by its mission to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need it most, BGCSV continues to play a vital role in strengthening families and shaping the region's future leaders. Learn more at www.bgclub.org or join our online community on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @BGClubSV.