The YMCA of Austin has selected Diane Baker of Austin as its next CEO.

Baker, who will begin her duties with the YMCA of Austin in early May, replaces Tedd Maxfield, who resigned in January after six years of service. Baker was selected from a field of 22 applicants from across the country.

Baker will lead the YMCA of Austin during a period of historic transformation for the organization. While managing the current operations of the YMCA of Austin, Baker will also be responsible for the YMCA’s move to the new $35 million Austin Community Recreation Center currently being built downtown and expected to be completed in early 2020.

Baker has been an Austin resident since 1998. Since 2014, Baker was executive director of the United Way of Mower County. In that time, she increased campaign revenue by more than 20 percent and improved business relationships with key United Way supporters in Austin. Prior to her United Way service, Baker was manager of Eastern U.S. Fleet Operations for McFarland Truck Lines, an Austin-based trucking company.

“Diane’s passion for the mission of the ‘Y’ shines through in every conversation,” said Eric Olson, president of the YMCA of Austin Board of Directors. “She also knows the community very well, which is a key for us during the upcoming move into a new facility.”

Baker is a graduate of Iowa State University and completed a mini MBA for nonprofit executives from the University of St. Thomas in 2017. She serves on the boards of The Hormel Foundation and Austin Aspires.