YMCA of the USA named Merrimack Valley YMCA Chief Operating Officer Claudia Soo Hoo the distinguished recipient of the 2024 GDEI Leader Award for her leadership in global diversity, equity and inclusion.
Soo Hoo, of North Andover, was recognized for her work promoting female leadership and gender equity. As a woman who identifies as Asian American, she has dedicated herself to supporting AAPI leaders both locally and nationally, the YMCA said in a news release.
“Claudia leads with empathy and integrity in all the work that she does,” said Merrimack Valley YMCA CEO Francis J. Kenneally III. “She has elevated our organization while also having an impact at a national level. Claudia is an innovative leader who not only develops intentionality in our DEI work, she has delivered on impactful new programs and initiatives.”
Soo Hoo is the chair of the National Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Network (APILN) Employee Resource Group as well as the Co-Chair of the National GDEI Leadership Council.
In April of 2024, Soo Hoo represented the National APILN as part of the Philippines YMCA Coalition to mutually strengthen organizational capacity and self-reliance.
Locally, Soo Hoo has collaborated with other organizations to organize activities around PRIDE Month and the first ever Juneteenth Celebration in Lawrence, while also creating new programs for youth with disabilities and employment opportunities at the Y for individuals with disabilities. Soo Hoo has worked for the Y for 19 years in multiple leadership roles and in 2020 was named chief operating officer.