Chris Garr

Chris Garr joined Youth Challenge in 2008 as the Program Manager and, in 2019, was named Chief Executive Officer. He is primarily responsible for collaborating with the Governing Board and Staff to advance the Mission and maintain the financial solvency of the organization by providing leadership, planning, and vision of programs, finance, resource development, donor relations, human resources, and communications. Before returning to YC full-time in 2008, Chris was a member of the YC Summer Staff and a van driver from 1998-2001. Chris began his YC journey as a volunteer in 1991 at the age of 12.

He is a Certified Disability Sport Specialist and holds an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame. Head Coach of Team YC Narwhals Boccia Club, he also volunteers as support staff for Boccia United States, supporting Paralympic athletes and the team in international competition. He serves on multiple committees for USA Boccia. Since 2015, Chris has co-chaired the Northeast Ohio Coalition of Disability Organizations, an advocacy-based collaboration of Cleveland-area non-profits serving people with disabilities.

Before joining YC, Chris was the Social Studies Department Chair and a Social Studies and English Teacher at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, from 2001-2008. While there, he also served as the Intramural Sports Director, Yearbook Advisor, and Girls Soccer Coach.

Chris resides in Berea with his wife Johanna and two daughters, Emma and Victoria. He is active in his local community, teaching 8th graders in the Parish School of Religion, coaching multiple teams in various sports, and overseeing the CYO athletic program and youth group at St. Mary Berea Catholic Parish. Chris and Johanna are co-presidents of the Fordham University Cleveland Alumni Chapter.