About Me
PhD Candidate · Systems Science YMCA Executive Asheville, NC

Applying systems thinking to the problems that matter.

I am a husband, father, and non-profit professional living and working in Asheville, North Carolina. I am fascinated by the complexity this region presents — and committed to understanding and dismantling the systems that manifest intergenerational harms within it.

The recognition that persistent community challenges are the result of systemic issues sparked my interest in the science of systems. I began an academic journey in 2020 and am now a doctoral candidate in Systems Science at SUNY Binghamton, with a research focus on organizational and enterprise systems.

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Will Deter
Experience

Professional Background

Will Deter with YMCA colleagues at a national leadership convening
MEDI Cohort 20, Mosaic 313
YMCA of Western North Carolina 2013 – Present

Association Director of Systems & Strategy

2024 – Present
  • Partner with VP and C-Suite leaders to shape and drive organizational strategy across every major function of a $30M, multi-branch YMCA association serving Western North Carolina.
  • Created the organization's framework for sustainable innovation — structured processes for identifying, evaluating, and implementing new initiatives across the association.
  • Designed the association's performance measurement system using the service profit chain model, aligning KPIs to give leaders at every level a clear line of sight from internal operations to community impact.
  • Applied systems modeling to identify harmful feedback loops working against organizational goals, redirecting effort and resources toward strategies that drove measurable progress on association priorities.
  • Developed and facilitated strategic planning sessions for senior leadership, grounding organizational direction in systems science research and ensuring alignment between board governance, executive strategy, and operational execution.
  • Participated in the YMCA's National Advocacy Days, making asks of federal elected officials on behalf of Y communities.

Senior Director of Operations

2019 – 2024
  • Oversaw licensure and compliance for 34 licensed childcare and camp locations serving more than 1,000 youth each week.
  • Co-developed and managed an operating budget exceeding $7M, collaborating with finance leadership to align resource allocation with strategic priorities.
  • Supervised and developed a team of 150 full- and part-time employees across operational and administrative functions, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
  • Presented directly to state legislators on childcare regulatory reform, contributing to favorable regulatory outcomes for licensed childcare providers across North Carolina.
  • Supervised Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) implementation as a sponsoring organization of 31 affiliated centers.
  • Developed and launched custom management information systems to efficiently monitor and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

Director of Operations — Licensing

2016 – 2019
  • Led safety and compliance operations for 34 licensed or grant-funded childcare facilities serving more than 1,000 youth.
  • Facilitated compliance and safety training and development for approximately 100 staff members.
  • Facilitated the licensure of 8 additional school-age childcare facilities.
Education

Academic Background

PhD

Systems Science — Binghamton University (SUNY)

Expected January 2027  ·  Research Area: Organizational and Enterprise Systems

MS

Systems Science — Binghamton University (SUNY)

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Complex Systems Science and Engineering

BS

Emergency & Disaster Management — Western Carolina University

Summa Cum Laude

Skills & Expertise

Areas of Focus

Organizational Systems Modeling Strategic Planning & Facilitation Complex Systems Science Agent-Based Modeling Network Analysis Performance Measurement Systems Budget Management ($7M+) Leadership Development Policy Advocacy Regulatory Compliance Python (Simulation) Transfer Entropy Board Governance Mission-Driven Leadership Shared Vision & Culture Emergent Systems Thinking