Karyn Kirk-McFarlin, JD

Karyn Kirk-McFarlin has been with YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) since May 2018, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. In this capacity, she leads Y-USA’s legal strategy, overseeing critical legal services and ensuring compliance across board governance. Karyn also serves as Assistant Secretary of the National Board of Directors and is a key liaison to both the National Committee on Membership Standards and the Board Development Committee.

This is Karyn’s second tenure with Y-USA. From 2007 to 2014, she served as Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, where she played a pivotal role in governance, risk management, intellectual property, brand management, and cross-departmental legal support.

Before her return to Y-USA, Karyn was Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at Florida International University (2014–2017), where she directed all aspects of the university’s institutional compliance program. Her career also includes roles as Associate General Counsel at Sears Holding Company, Staff Attorney with Sally Beauty Company, and Assistant District Attorney with the Denton County Prosecutor’s Office.

Karyn holds a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Hampton University.