New CEO Brings Worldwide Experience to YouthLink
Rich Melzer, who recently started at YouthLink as its new Chief Executive Officer, knows firsthand the power of positive role models. A south Minneapolis native, he experienced some challenging situations in his teenage years and found himself in the same position as the young people experiencing homelessness who frequent YouthLink’s Drop-In Center on a daily basis.
“I know how it feels and can identify with their core needs,” said Melzer, who previously served as Executive Director for YMCA of the North and took over for Dr. Heather Huseby who retired in September after 17 years at YouthLink. “It made me a stronger person and helped me deepen my sense of empathy. It’s a big part of the reason I’m here.”
In an effort to stabilize his future, he moved to River Falls, Wisconsin as a teenager and was able to finish high school. He then enjoyed a standout career as a member of the UW-River Falls basketball team where he received NCAA Player of the Year honors. “I was fortunate enough that my basketball career after college offered me the opportunity to see the world,” said Melzer, who played professionally in countries including Germany, Israel and Australia. “Everywhere I went I tried to make those places my home. I learned German, I learned Hebrew – learning the local customs helped me build rapport in the community. Working within a team, collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds, striving to overcome adversity…those are skills I use every day.”
Melzer, who served as a basketball coach for his three sons and at the YMCA, also shares a connection to Chris Finch, the current Minnesota Timberwolves head coach – he played for Finch as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, an NBA D-League team affiliated with the Houston Rockets. “Chris Finch is a great coach because he believes in people and empowers them to use their skills by putting them in the best positions to be successful,” said Melzer. The Timberwolves have been strong supporters of YouthLink, with CEO Ethan Casson funding a holiday meal for clients and staff in 2020 and star player Karl-Anthony Towns facilitating a coat drive and making a personal visit to the drop-in center in 2021.
“At YouthLink we have data that shows our model works so I’m excited to collaborate with our team to build upon and strengthen the partnerships Dr. Heather cultivated,” said Melzer. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.’ I embrace the responsibility of pushing the mission forward at YouthLink and providing resources for young people whose stories were once mine.”
