Gerald W. Wade served as the CEO of the State YMCA of Georgia from 1978-1999 and again from 2008-2009. His leadership and unique style left an undeniable impression on so many youth in Georgia, an impact that still resounds across the state today.

He has served as a Life Board Member and Executive Director Emeritus for the State YMCA of Georgia and the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement since 2017.

The organization has established the Gerald W. Wade Legacy Fund as an endowed scholarship to support future generations of youth participating in life-changing programs such as Youth Assembly, Georgia United Nations Assembly (now called Youth in Government EXPO), and Youth Training Conference (now called IGNITE). While some the names have changed, the underlying foundation and program impact has not.