Meg Stevens, Executive Director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut
Meg Stevens is the Executive Director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut, where she leads one of the Northeast’s premier sports, fitness, and family recreation destinations.
Meg brings more than 20 years of experience in sports leadership, operations, and community building. Most recently, she served as President of Arizona Athletic Grounds, one of the largest sports and entertainment complexes in the United States. Prior to that, she spent 11 years at Averett University in senior leadership roles, including Vice President and Director of Athletics, after serving as Senior Woman Administrator and Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Buffalo State.
Meg has also served as President of Women Leaders in Sports and on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Danville. A former student-athlete and graduate of SUNY Cortland and Buffalo State, she was inducted into the Western New York Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2024.
We chatted with Meg about her career, her goals for Chelsea Piers CT and what makes the facility so special!
What led you to a career in sports and recreation leadership?
I got involved in sports at a young age, and they quickly became a big part of my life. Looking back, my career has really been the combination of two passions: sports and leadership.
I had the opportunity to coach at the high school, club, and collegiate levels, and I truly enjoyed helping young people grow through sports. Watching athletes develop confidence, leadership skills, and life skills was incredibly rewarding.
Sports gave me my start in life. The lessons I learned as an athlete helped shape who I am today, and I’ve always felt a responsibility to help create those same opportunities for others. In many ways, this career has been my way of giving back to something that has given me so much.
I also firmly believe that if you love what you do, you never really work a day in your life. I’ve been fortunate to spend my career doing work that I’m passionate about and that has a positive impact on others.
Over time, I realized I could impact even more athletes, coaches, and families by moving into leadership roles. That path took me from coaching to athletic administration and eventually to leading large sports, fitness, entertainment and recreation organizations. In many ways, I still consider myself a coach today. Instead of coaching one team, I have the opportunity to support coaches, staff, athletes, and families across an entire ecosystem.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your career so far?
The people. I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible coaches, leaders, athletes, and families throughout my career. Watching someone gain confidence, develop new skills, achieve a goal, or grow into a leadership role never gets old. Whether it’s a child trying a sport for the first time or a staff member taking the next step in their career, those moments are what make this work meaningful.
You’ve been in Connecticut for a few months, what are some of your favorite things so far?
The people have been incredibly welcoming, and I’ve loved getting to know the communities throughout Fairfield County. There is such a strong commitment to family, education, health, and youth development. I’ve also enjoyed exploring the area, spending time on the shoreline, and taking advantage of being so close to New York City.
What do you think makes Chelsea Piers Connecticut unique?
There is simply nothing else like it. We offer so many things to so many people. We are a school, a camp, a training ground, a gym. A place where you can learn a new skill, compete, stay healthy, be entertained, and most importantly, find community.
We serve every stage of life. From infants as young as three months old in their first swim lesson to adults over 100 staying active. Whatever brings you in, there’s a place for you here.
What makes Chelsea Piers special is that it all happens under one roof. While one child is at gymnastics and another is at hockey, a parent can work out, swim, grab a coffee, or catch up with friends. The sibling who got dragged along isn’t stuck on the sidelines for two hours, there’s something here for them too. Nobody’s waiting in a parking lot.
Families are busier than ever and we help save them time, while making more of their time together. Instead of driving between three activities, it’s a morning spent in the same building. A swim together, lunch after practice, familiar faces in the hallway. Routines and friendships are built here and over time, this becomes their place. That’s what makes Chelsea Piers unique.
Meg Stevens, Executive Director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut
What are you most excited for in this role?
The opportunity to build something truly special. Chelsea Piers Connecticut already has an incredible foundation, a great brand, a rich history, world-class facilities, and an outstanding team. What excites me most is the opportunity to help take it to the next level.
Personally, this role came at the perfect time in my career. I’ve coached, led athletic departments, and overseen one of the largest sports and entertainment complexes in the country. Chelsea Piers allows me to bring all of those experiences together in a place that shares my passion for youth development, wellness, and community.
I believe we can become even more of a leader in what is right about youth sports. That means encouraging children to play multiple sports, focusing on long-term development instead of early specialization, teaching life skills and character alongside athletic skills, and creating positive experiences for families.
At the same time, we have the opportunity to support athletes with the biggest dreams and aspirations. Whether a child wants to make a varsity team, compete in college, play professionally, or simply enjoy being active for life, Chelsea Piers can provide a pathway for them.
I’m excited to continue strengthening the Chelsea Piers ecosystem and creating an experience that helps families save time, stay active, and spend more time together. When everything is working together, from camps and classes to competitive teams, fitness, wellness, entertainment, and community programming, we can have a positive impact on individuals and families at every stage of life.
Most of all, I’m excited about the people. The families, coaches, staff, and community members who care deeply about this place. The opportunity to work alongside them to shape the future of Chelsea Piers Connecticut is what energizes me every day.
What can families expect to see happening at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in the next year?
Families can expect us to focus on making an already great experience even better. That means continuing to invest in our programs, creating more opportunities for families to connect, improving communication, and making sure every visit delivers exceptional value.
We will continue looking at how every part of Chelsea Piers Connecticut works together so families can get the most out of everything we have to offer. My goal is for Chelsea Piers to become easier, more connected, and even more valuable for families as we continue building the most complete family experience in Connecticut.
What’s been the best part of connecting with families at Chelsea Piers?
Listening. I’ve enjoyed hearing why families choose Chelsea Piers, what they love, and where they think we can improve. The passion people have for this place is remarkable.
It’s clear that Chelsea Piers is much more than a sports facility. For many families, it’s where friendships are formed, routines are built, and communities come together. Those connections are incredibly valuable, and I believe we have an opportunity to strengthen them even further.
What role do you think sports and recreation play in a child’s overall development and in the family as a whole?
Sports and recreation teach lessons that extend far beyond the field, court, pool, or gym. Children develop important life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, accountability, leadership, communication, and resilience. They learn how to handle both success and adversity, work toward goals, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
I often say that sports are the vehicle, but life skills are the destination. The confidence, discipline, friendships, and character that children develop through these experiences can stay with them for a lifetime.
For families, these activities create shared experiences and lasting memories. Some of the most important conversations and connections happen on the ride home from practice, during a family swim, or while cheering from the sidelines together.
What’s your biggest goal as Executive Director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut?
My goal is for Chelsea Piers Connecticut to become the most trusted destination for sports, fitness, wellness, and community in the Northeast. A place where families, athletes, and members of our community spend the best hours of their week.
I believe Chelsea Piers has the opportunity to become one of the most important third spaces in our community. Home is the first space. Work or school is the second. The third space is where people choose to spend their time, build relationships, and create memories. Whether it’s a tennis group, a moms group, friends meeting after a workout, families spending a Saturday morning together, or a child trying a new sport for the first time, Chelsea Piers can be that place.
If we’re successful, Chelsea Piers becomes much more than a sports and fitness facility. It becomes a true community hub. A place where children build confidence and character, adults prioritize their health and wellness, and families get back one of their most valuable resources: time together.
I want Chelsea Piers to be the place people naturally think of when they’re looking for something to do on a rainy day, when they want to be active as a family, when they want to connect with friends, or when a child wants to learn a new skill.
Ultimately, I hope people don’t simply come here for a class, practice, workout, camp, or event. I hope they feel like they belong here.
If we can create that sense of belonging while delivering exceptional experiences for every member of the family, then we’ve built something truly special.