Welcome Interim CEO Aisha Adams!

YWCA of Asheville and WNC is excited to announce the appointment of Aisha Adams as Interim CEO, following the departure of Diana Sierra. Amparo Penny, Co-Chair of the YWCA of Asheville and Western North Carolina Board of Directors, said, “The Board of Directors is excited to partner with Aisha as interim CEO of the YWCA of Asheville. Aisha is well positioned for this role because she has a strong understanding of the organization and established working relationships with both the administration and staff. She is deeply connected to the community and local activist organizations, and she brings a genuine commitment to advancing the YWCA’s mission. Just as importantly, Aisha’s warmth and positive energy make her a bright spot in the day of nearly everyone she encounters.” 

Aisha has served on the Board of the YWCA of Asheville for 2 ½  years, and is a writer, influencer, and facilitator widely recognized for driving meaningful change in entrepreneurial ecosystems and community transformation. Based in WNC, she has empowered local entrepreneurs through her leadership with Black Wall Street Asheville and more than 500 hours of coaching with Mountain BizWorks. Aisha is passionate about social justice and also delivers trainings, workshops, and audits to leaders and organizations working toward equity and belonging throughout the region. 

“Having served on the board and alongside Diana, I already have a deep appreciation for the YWCA, its mission and the people who make this work possible,” Adams said. “I’m honored to serve the organization in a different capacity during this transition. My focus is on supporting our team, strengthening the organization and deepening our connection to the community, because the YWCA belongs to this community. I want people to come through our doors, meet our team, experience the work happening here and see themselves as part of what comes next.”

The YWCA Board of Directors is on track to complete a comprehensive CEO search by late 2026.