Frederick Riley

Frederick J. Riley is the Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.  He previously served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati where he provided strategic leadership in financial development, advancing the YMCA mission through annual giving, government and foundation grants, endowment bequests, along with gifts and capital campaigns. He developed a fundraising board, positioned the Y as a dedicated community partner and lead advocacy efforts, program impact and volunteer development. 

Before joining the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, he served as the National Director of Urban Development for YMCA of the USA, the Y’s national resource office. There, he served as the principal thought leader and strategist for programs and services impacting over three million teens around the country.  He has also served in similar leadership roles for the YMCA of Southwest Illinois, Metro Atlanta YMCA and the National Conference of Black Mayors.

He is passionate about the development of communities and people. He has spent almost two decades ensuring the positive life trajectory for youth with a focus on urban, under-served communities and poverty. Originally from Saginaw, MI, college and professional opportunities allowed for stops in Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati. He participants in many professional and civic groups, but his most important role is as favorite son, brother, uncle and godfather.