Today we’d like to introduce you to Dyana DelRio.
Hi Dyana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dyana Delrio <ddelrio@gslclubs.org>
11:43 AM (45 minutes ago)
to me
I started at the Midvale Boys & Girls Club in 2012, beginning my journey as a Youth Development professional. It was long before my true passion for after school programming really came out, and I was encouraged to step into something bigger within the Club. I was promoted to Assistant Director and moved into a role serving the Midvale Elementary site. This site served over 150 youth, with 30% experiencing housing insecurity.
After a couple of years serving the Midvale area, I was promoted to Program Director and began supporting the Club on a larger scale. In this role, I engaged community members who aligned with our mission to create a greater impact, including integrating larger experiences for our youth to enjoy, such as a soccer and dance team, so youth could feel a sense of accomplishment in their passions.
Eventually, I transferred to the Murray Club, which at the time was struggling with staff retention and consistency. I worked hard to reframe the program and build it into the largest Boys & Girls Club in the state, serving over 200 youth in a single program. This role allowed me to truly hone my leadership skills and build something meaningful beyond what I believed were my limits.
At the age of 25, I left the Club to explore other career options. However, my love for the Club stayed constant in the back of my mind. I wasn’t quite ready to give it up. Two years later, I returned to the mission as a Program Director again at Murray and served there for two additional years before being promoted into a higher role as Club Director at the Midvale Boys & Girls Club, where it all began.
Once again, I found myself in a Club that needed consistency and care. Staff turnover was high, and my goal was to bring the Club back to a place where youth were excited to attend. After a lot of hard work, a complete staff turnaround, a dedicated team, and our mission in mind, two years later, I now find myself seeing the original Midvale Club I called home so many years ago.
Coming back into this position, I now have former members returning with their younger siblings recognizing me, and it’s incredibly special to witness and hear their stories of how Club made a big impact on their futures today. The Club’s mission means so much to me. My heart is forever in it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been bumps along the way. Turnover and rehiring are never easy, and building from the ground up takes real work, but with grit and the right leadership, it’s possible.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a Club Director, I lead the day to day operations of the Club while building a culture where youth feel safe, supported, and excited to show up. I oversee staff development, program quality, enrollment growth, while constantly engaging and building community partnerships, all while staying closely connected to the youth and families we serve. My role is about more than managing a building it’s about creating consistency, stability, and a space where kids can truly belong and thrive.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor and building a strong network has worked best for me when it’s felt genuine rather than forced. I’ve had the most success by connecting with people whose work I already respect and admire, then starting with curiosity. Asking thoughtful questions, listening closely, and being open about what I want to learn have naturally opened the door to mentorship over time.
Networking, for me, is really about relationships, not transactions. Showing up consistently, following through, and being someone others can rely on goes a long way. I also try to stay involved in community spaces, professional events, and collaborations where shared values already exist. Those environments make it easier to build trust and meaningful connections.
One thing that’s worked well is not being afraid to ask for guidance. Most people are genuinely willing to share their experience if you approach them respectfully and with intention. I’ve also learned that mentorship doesn’t always look formal. Some of the most impactful mentors I’ve had didn’t have the title but offered steady support, honest feedback, and encouragement along the way.
Pricing:
- $20
Contact Info:
- Website: gslclubs.org
