Whitney Young Health and Equinox Appoint Kindra McHale as Chief Development Officer
Albany, NY – [October 15, 2025] –. Whitney Young Health and Equinox have appointed Kindra McHale, CFRE Chief Development Officer, a key leadership role created to advance strategic fundraising and strengthen critical health and human services across the Capital Region. McHale, an accomplished nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy and relationship management, will lead development initiatives supporting the organizations’ missions to expand access to care for vulnerable populations.
McHale brings more than 15 years of experience in philanthropy, relationship management, and nonprofit leadership, with a background spanning higher education, health and wellness, and community-based organizations. Most recently, she served as Regional Director of Development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where she managed a major gifts portfolio and secured significant philanthropic support for institutional priorities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kindra to our leadership team,” said Dave Shippee, President and CEO of Whitney Young Health. “Her proven ability to cultivate strong donor relationships and inspire philanthropic investment will be instrumental as we expand access to health care, behavioral health, and support services. Kindra’s expertise and commitment to strengthening communities align seamlessly with the missions of both organizations.”
Prior to her work at RPI, McHale held senior roles with the YWCA Northeastern NY, where she advanced programs for women and families and exceeded fundraising goals, and the Southern Saratoga YMCA, where she oversaw operations for a large wellness facility and a $7.2 million annual budget. Earlier in her career, she worked in corporate and community relations with State Farm Insurance and as a regional manager at IRI.
McHale is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from Penn State University, a Professional Fundraising Certificate from Boston University, and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from SUNY Albany. She is currently completing a master’s in strategic fundraising and philanthropy with a concentration in higher education, expected in spring 2026.
“I am honored to join Whitney Young Health and Equinox in their shared mission to provide equitable access to health care, behavioral health, and human services,” said McHale. “Both organizations have long histories of serving vulnerable and underserved populations, and I look forward to collaborating with donors, partners, and volunteers to advance this essential work.”
Whitney Young Health and Equinox are in the process of finalizing an integrated partnership alliance to strengthen health care and human services across the Capital Region. Together, the organizations are expanding capacity, improving efficiency, and advancing outcomes to ensure a more comprehensive safety net for the region’s most vulnerable populations.
In her new role, McHale will lead development, fundraising, and donor engagement strategies in support of both organizations’ commitment to providing comprehensive, culturally responsive care and critical human services to thousands of individuals and families each year.
About Whitney Young Health
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center (WYH) has been providing equitable, accessible, and high-quality health care to the Capital Region for more than 50 years. Founded in 1971 to serve underserved neighborhoods in Albany, WYH has grown to deliver comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services to more than 20,000 individuals annually across Albany, Troy, and Watervliet. As a Federally Qualified Health Center governed by a consumer-led board, WYH is committed to empowering its diverse community—many of whom are low-income, Medicaid/Medicare recipients, immigrants, and refugees—to achieve better health and wellness, ensuring that for many, WYH remains the only available access point to care.
About Equinox
Equinox is a nonprofit human services agency that has served Albany and the Capital Region for more than 75 years, providing essential mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and youth services. As Albany County’s sole provider of comprehensive domestic violence services, Equinox offers free, confidential support through a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and transitional housing. The agency also delivers residential and outpatient mental health care and youth programs that build independence and resilience. Through evidence-based, client-centered services and strong community partnerships, Equinox helps thousands of individuals and families each year move toward healing, recovery, and stability.