NYEC Changemakers
Mimi Haley
Executive Director
Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley, PhD is the Executive Director of the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) , a 46-year-old membership organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people who need support to be connected to educational and employment opportunities. With her team and partners, NYEC launched the National Alliance of Youth and Young Adults Advocates, a policy hub created to promote policy alignment and strategies, improve national and local data systems, facilitate narrative change, and create sustainable youth leadership; created the Youth Champion Communities Framework: Mayor Challenge; launched the annual Youth Days event in DC; and initiated the monthly Department of Labor Office Hours and other learning opportunities for the field. Prior to joining NYEC, Haley served as Deputy Director/Interim CEO of the CT Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) and was the lead for the agency on ending youth homelessness. She spearheaded improving statewide systems to serve young people, which resulted in a 50% reduction in youth homelessness in two years and created a statewide reentry program in partnership with the CT Department of Correction.
She has developed and led statewide community impact teams and led projects in areas such as reentry, juvenile justice, foster care youth, flexible funding, childcare assistance, youth leadership, and housing interventions. In addition to her 20 years of non-profit management, she has taught courses in race and politics, comparative politics, development, and political theory. She’s a published author in economic and political development and taught at Fairfield University for many years. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate from New York University. She also currently chairs the Governor’s Office of Workforce Strategies Taskforce in CT, DEIA Youth Subcommittee.
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Dr. Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley
Executive Director
Nathan Hora
Nathan Hora is a passionate advocate for making the nation's public workforce system work better for young people. As the National Youth Employment Coalition's Senior Advisor for Federal Policy, Nathan leads NYEC's engagement with Congress and the Administration and builds the capacity of NYEC's membership and partner network to advocate with their federal representatives.
Prior to joining NYEC, Nathan was an Associate Director at Penn Hill Group, a DC-based government affairs firm that specializes in federal education and workforce policy and advocacy. In this role, he worked with a variety of national education and workforce organizations to develop and execute their federal policy and advocacy priorities. Nathan also brings experience from working on a Congressional campaign and in the Michigan and California state legislatures.
When he's not on the clock, Nathan can be found volunteering for the Rock Creek Conservancy, cycling throughout DC and the surrounding DMV area, and playing card games with his loved ones.
Nathan Hora
Senior Advisor for Federal Policy
Cailee Fitzgerald
Chief Implementation Officer
Cailee Fitzgerald is a purpose-driven leader and the Chief Implementation Officer at the National Youth Employment Coalition. With a deep passion for empowering young people, she leads the organization’s operations, implementation strategies, learning and events, and grant support—ensuring big ideas translate into lasting impact. Cailee’s cross-sector experience spans youth leadership, public health, and workforce development, and her approach is grounded in lived experience and a relentless drive to improve systems that serve youth. Known for her sharp eye for efficiency, innovation, and detail, she brings heart and precision to every challenge she takes on.
Cailee Fitzgerald
Chief Implementation Officer
Sheridan Nixon
Director of Community Impact
Sheridan Nixon is the Director of Community Impact at the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). In this role, Sheridan leads initiatives to strengthen the effectiveness of organizations and systems serving young people, with a focus on expanding access to workforce opportunities and economic mobility. Prior to joining NYEC, Sheridan served as Associate Vice Provost of Workforce Education at Dallas College, where he oversaw multi-million-dollar workforce investments, expanded employer and community partnerships, and advanced student success strategies that increased enrollment and credential attainment. Over his 15 years in higher education and workforce development, Sheridan has been recognized nationally for his leadership in building pathways for opportunity youth and underserved learners. Sheridan was selected as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Leadership Academy and serves on the board of the Dallas Development Fund. These roles reflect his commitment to advancing innovative, community-driven solutions that connect education and employment. Sheridan brings both professional expertise and personal purpose to his work, grounded in a lifelong mission to expand opportunity and create systems that empower individuals and communities to thrive.
Sheridan Nixon
Director of Community Impact
Julia Frohlich is the Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC), where she leads efforts to grow and engage a national network of organizations serving youth and young adults. Drawing on her background in public relations and her graduate training in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, with a focus on nonprofit leadership, Julia builds bridges between members, partners, and cross-sector stakeholders to advance youth-centered workforce and education initiatives. She oversees national communications strategy, supports development and corporate partnerships, and builds relationships that elevate the voices of both community-based and national organizations. In addition to her partnerships work, Julia is deeply committed to advancing systems-level change that strengthens the communities she serves. She has led national initiatives focused on mental health needs and supports, represented NYEC on the Amputee Coalition’s Disability Workforce Council, and facilitates affinity groups for organizations serving rural communities, foster care youth, and transition-age youth (TAY).
Through this work, she continues to drive collaboration and elevate solutions that create more equitable opportunities for young people nationwide.
Julia Frohlich Kim
Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
Bobby Brown
Associate Director of Community Impact
Bobby is a Program Coordinator at NYEC. In his role, he brings together local organizations and politicians to identify and tackle community challenges. Previously, Bobby has worked in dropout prevention and re-engagement. Prior to NYEC, he worked with the Boston Private Industry Council, where he helped lead an opportunity youth initiative, Launch, dedicated to helping young adults living in affordable housing obtain living wage jobs or enroll in school/training
Bobby Brown
Associate Director of Community Impact
Mo Burke
Learning and Events Coordinator
Mo Burke
Learning and Events Coordinator
Jaime Jimenez
Data and Research Coordinator
Jaime Jimenez is a 21-year-old advocate, public speaker, and space fanatic who attends the University of California Los Angeles in pursuit of his bachelor's in business economics. Throughout his college career, he has always been an advocate for his community, starting as a Peer Mentor for incoming freshmen at his community college, and starting an Environmental Biology club to address the severe water pollution of Imperial Beach. He started his leadership journey at the Annie E. Cassie LEAP fellowship where he was later exposed to NYEC’s Youth Advisory Council where he was able to share his idea of Equality of Vision. Jaime was invited to the Apollo to Artemis: Celebrating our History and Charting our Future Forum which was hosted by the White House National Space Council. There, he was able to learn from top leaders in space as well as gain better insight into what the future of space holds for our youth. Jaime was also the host and speaker at NYEC’s Youth Days where he interviewed Dr. Reginald Hicks, Director of Facility Workforce in the CHIPS Program Office. Their conversation garnered knowledge on how the CHIPS Act can support Opportunity Youth, provide more opportunities for practitioners in workforce development, and support the growing apprenticeship culture. Jaime’s dream is to become a space lawyer, a head-turning title that he is convinced will become a staple profession in space, and it is this creative mixture of disciplines that he hopes to inspire in other youth.
Jaime Jimenez
Data and Research Coordinator
Lia Waller
Team Organizer
Lia Waller
Team Organizer
Lindsey Smith
Policy Coordinator
Lindsey Smith is an experienced coalition builder, youth organization leader, and advocate for youth development. She has a deep passion for creating infrastructure and pipelines for young people into the workforce through policy, rooted in her working-class upbringing. She has been leading statewide and national youth groups for over two years, an experience that deepened her dedication to sharing the resilience and potential of opportunity youth.
A proud Oklahoman and citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Lindsey is from Tulsa, but now calls Washington, DC home. Lindsey is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a triple minor in Sociology, Law and Legal Studies, and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. During her undergraduate career, she interned with the Democratic National Committee, Oklahoma State Senate, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. She also served as an undergraduate researcher, studying statewide and national mental health policies and connecting impact to students on the ground. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys running, exploring DC’s public libraries, fishing, and traveling back to Oklahoma as much as possible.
Lindsey Smith
Policy Coordinator
Marie Davis
Strategic Advisor
Marie Davis is a nationally recognized expert in workforce development, talent recruitment, and youth employment strategy. With over 30 years of experience across higher education, national nonprofits, and the private sector, she brings deep expertise in building education-to-career pipelines that connect young adults to meaningful employment. As a strategic advisor to the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC), Marie leads efforts to expand employer engagement and launch the POWER Private Sector Council, a cross-sector initiative focused on bridging employment gaps and increasing access to quality jobs for opportunity youth. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Jobs for the Future, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Johnson & Wales University, where she has consistently designed and scaled innovative programs at the intersection of education, workforce, and equity.
Marie Davis
Strategic Advisor
Jennifer Ables
Administrative Assitant
Jennifer Ables serves as the Administrative Assistant for NYEC and ensures that tasks are completed with precision and care. Her role keeps the organization running smoothly, and her dedication shines through in everyday projects.
Before stepping into her current role, Jennifer was the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at NYEC, where she managed high-level administrative tasks and supported the leadership team and Board of Directors. Her passion for the nonprofit and service industry is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to the organization’s mission.
Jennifer’s professional journey also includes her recent position as an Office Manager for a mental health corporation. In this role, she handled all general administrative duties, showcasing her ability to manage complex tasks and support a dynamic team.
Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is deeply invested in holistic health and spirituality. She dedicates her spare time to helping clients achieve natural wellness, drawing on her extensive knowledge of healthy living. Residing in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer enjoys the balance of a fulfilling career and a holistic lifestyle.
Her multifaceted experience and genuine care for others make Jennifer an asset to NYEC.
Jennifer Ables
Administrative Assistant
Tashima Bryant
Consultant
Tashmia is a dedicated systems transformation leader who started her career working in youth employment at Our Piece of the Pie in Hartford, CT. During that time, she recognized the high need for housing stability and supportive services among the youth she worked with, and this led to her nearly 10 year career in housing and homelessness. Tashmia has worked at the local, statewide, national, and federal levels supporting communities, programs, and initiatives across the country to improve housing outcomes. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Hartford. She serves on the executive committees of two organization’s Board of Directors and is a proud Howard University Alum and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Tashmia Bryant
Consultant
NYEC Board of Directors
Kevin serves as the Chief Program Officer at New Door Ventures. Kevin’s career is built on helping youth and families achieve self-sufficiency and build healthy communities. Before joining New Door Ventures, Kevin served as Director of High School and Bridge Programs at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) where he led efforts to secure job placements and postsecondary education for young people throughout San Francisco. He also holds faculty appointments at the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. Kevin loves growing spicy peppers! He is a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
Kevin Hickey
NYEC Board Chair
New Door Ventures
Liz Jackson-Simpson
Success Centers
Ed DeJesus
Social Capital Builders
NYEC Board of Directors
Lori Godorov
NYEC Board of Directors
Lori Godorov is the Executive Director of The Work Group, a progressive community-based organization serving youth in Camden County, NJ.
Lori began TWG in 1996, in 2003, she took the helm as Executive Director.
Drawing on her inherent ability to understand social systems and her drive for excellence in program delivery, Lori continues to make TWG a think tank atmosphere, constantly creating new strategies to meet the ever-changing needs of underserved youth populations.
Lori serves on numerous national, local, community, civic, and business committees and boards. She holds a Master’s Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University.
Lori Godorov
The Work Group
Rodney T. Francis
NYEC Board of Directors
Rev. Rodney Francis serves as the Executive
Director of Workforce Innovations at IU
Health, where he leads strategic innovation
initiatives in support of the senior executive
leadership team. He oversees a team of
dedicated healthcare and workforce
development professionals, guiding the
development of policies, procedures, and
services that strengthen workforce readiness,
industry credentialing, and employment
programs. His work ensures alignment with
the evolving talent needs of the IU Health
system across Indiana.
Rodney T. Francis
Indiana University Health
Robert Sainz
NYEC Board of Directors
With an unwavering commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations, Robert Sainz serves as the President and Executive Director of New Ways to Work, a nonprofit focusing on advocacy and technical assistance to improve workforce and education programs and systems. Serving young adults who often live in the shadows, the agency has an intense focus on those from foster, probation, and homeless systems. Having recently concluded a 30-year public sector career in the City and County of Los Angeles, Robert previously served as Assistant General Manager for the City of Los Angeles Economic Development Department where he managed over $70 million annually in public agency grant funds, resulting in programs and services for thousands of Angelenos.
Behind the glitz and glam that have become synonymous with the LA brand, Robert has a proven history of digging beyond the surface—tackling the most devastating social problems that face residents living in communities with diminished resources. Whether addressing juvenile delinquency, youth and adult unemployment, or youth disconnection from education and work, the LA native specializes in building coalitions and partnerships that maximize resources to produce quantifiable results.
Thanks to a clear vision for how to reengage young people, Robert established the City of Los Angeles YouthSource System, Los Angeles Performance Partnership Pilot (LAP3) and is a founding member of LA:RISE - an innovative model serving homeless and re-entry populations. He also established HIRE LA, one of the nation’s largest public-private youth employment initiatives that combined the visibility of corporate America with solutions designed by policy experts. As part of his extensive tenure with the second largest city in the nation, Robert also served as the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement and worked as the Assistant and Interim Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth and Their Families.
Never straying from a challenge, Robert began his career in the Los Angeles County Management Trainee Program in 1990 and later assumed the role of Probation Director leading the department’s Office of Community Relations and Office of Prevention Services. As a national voice on workforce development, Robert served as past President and Trustee in the US Conference of Mayor’s Workforce Development Council and as an advisory member for the National Dropout Prevention Council. He is also a board member of School & Main; Alliance for a Better Community; and cofounder of the Reconnecting LA’s Youth (RELAY) Institute at California State University, Northridge. Robert is married; father of three children, and grandfather of two.
Robert Sainz
New Ways to Work
Sharlet Barnett is the Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Center for Youth Resources (ACYR), a Phoenix-based nonprofit that empowers youth and young adults through education and workforce-development programs.
Originally from San Jose, California, Sharlet grew up moving around the western U.S., giving her early exposure to diverse communities and their unique challenges. She earned a degree in psychology from University of Alaska Fairbanks, which laid the foundation for her passion for youth development and community support.
Sharlet’s journey with ACYR spans over two decades, during which she has held key leadership roles and ultimately assumed the CEO position. Under her guidance, ACYR has strengthened its programs serving Opportunity youth—those facing barriers such as limited basic skills, economic disadvantage, or lack of support—and helped link them to education, training, and meaningful employment.
Sharlet is a dynamic advocate for breaking poverty cycles and creating upward mobility opportunities for young people. Her emphasis on individualized, skills-based programming and her hands-on leadership style have earned her recognition in the Phoenix area’s nonprofit leadership community.
In addition to her leadership at ACYR, Sharlet serves on the Board of Directors of the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) — a national network dedicated to improving the effectiveness of organizations that help youth prepare for and succeed in education and employment. Through this role, she contributes her expertise in workforce development, re-engagement strategies, and youth policy to help shape national conversations on youth opportunity and equity.
Sharlet is also trained in ICA Technology of Participation facilitation methods, credentials that reinforce her commitment to collaboration, measurable outcomes, and community engagement.
In a time when many young people are disconnected from school or work—and face multiple systemic barriers—Sharlet’s leadership at ACYR makes a tangible difference. By aligning education, workforce readiness, and community support, she helps young Arizonans not just survive but thrive
Sharlet Barnett
Arizona Center for Youth Resources (ACYR)
Donnice E. Brown
NYEC Board of Directors
Donnice E. Brown is a seasoned youth workforce development professional that serves as the Assistant Director, Chief of Youth Services for the Mayor’s Office Employment Development in Baltimore, MD. In this position she oversees multiple workforce development initiatives responsive to the needs of Baltimore City youth and young adults 14-24 years old.
She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve their full potential through collaborative work.
Donnice holds a master’s degree in human resource development and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Towson State University. She has served on the following boards: Towson University Alumni Association, Towson University Black Alumni Alliance, Elizabth City State University Foundation Board, Baltimore Workforce Development Board and The CHOICE Program.
Donnice E. Brown
Baltimore Mayor's Office of Employment Development
Mike Davie
Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council
Trinh Nguyen
NYEC Board of Directors
Trinh Nguyen serves as Mayor Wu’s Chief of Worker Empowerment. The newly
formed Worker Empowerment Cabinet was created to advance the well-being of all
working Bostonians in both the public and private sectors through skills and career
development for youth and adults, advanced training in post-secondary education, and the
promotion of progressive labor standards and worker protection. Since 2014, she has also
been the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD). As OWD
Director, she has launched such initiatives as the Tuition-Free Community College
Program, the Greater Boston American Apprenticeships, and career pathways leading to living wage jobs in the healthcare, clean energy, and construction sectors. She also createdBoston Saves, the City’s children’s savings account program. Prior to her role at OWD,Nguyen was the Chief of Staff at the Boston Housing Authority.
Nguyen has nearly 25 years of leadership in operations, programs, strategic
planning, and budget management. She has worked in executive management for various
community nonprofits and public sector agencies. She is currently Chair of the
Neighborhood Jobs Trust, a Trustee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce
Development Council, and a Trustee of Bunker Hill Community College. Nguyen earned
two Master’s degrees as well as an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and was a
community fellow at MIT's Department of Urban Planning. She is a resident of Boston.
Trinh Nguyen
Chief of Worker Empowerment- City of Boston
Lori Godorov
NYEC Board of Directors
Lori Godorov is the Executive Director of The Work Group, a progressive community-based organization serving youth in Camden County, NJ.
Lori began TWG in 1996, in 2003, she took the helm as Executive Director.
Drawing on her inherent ability to understand social systems and her drive for excellence in program delivery, Lori continues to make TWG a think tank atmosphere, constantly creating new strategies to meet the ever-changing needs of underserved youth populations.
Lori serves on numerous national, local, community, civic, and business committees and boards. She holds a Master’s Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University.
Bernadette Tavares
NYEC Board of Directors
Bernadette Tavares is an experienced non-profit professional with a program development and child welfare background. Bernadette began working for Foster Forward in 2012 as a Youth Support Specialist, working to connect youth in out of home placement to nonpaid, natural supports that would assist them in achieving social, emotional, and physical permanency. Bernadette was promoted in 2016 to become the Coordinator for Foster Forward’s evidence supported Works Wonders® Program and again in 2021 to become the Director of Career Pathways. She oversees the day-to-day operations and is responsible for employer and partner cultivation, as well as national program replication. She works with senior management to continue to enhance the agency’s programming and processes and aims to achieve vocational and educational success for youth affected by foster care. Bernadette has 10+ years of experience in the child welfare system ranging from mentoring and direct support to program management. Additionally, she has provided adjunct educational support to students entering the University of Rhode Island through the Talent Development Program and has been an active member of the Mount Hope Community Center Board of Directors, the Ocean State Employment Support Network, and the Providence Juvenile Hearing Board. She has a great passion for working with youth and aiding them in the successful transition into adulthood. Bernadette earned bachelor’s degrees in English and Journalism at the University of Rhode Island.
Bernadette Tavares
Foster Forward
Mary Ellen Sprenkel
NYEC Board of Directors
Mary Ellen Sprenkel has been a long-time champion for youth. Mary Ellen came to The Corps Network in March of 2008 as Director of Government Relations. She was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs in 2011 and then appointed Interim CEO in May of 2012, prior to being selected as the CEO in October of 2012. During her tenure, Service and Conservation Corps have become better known programs to lawmakers and policymakers throughout the federal government. Legislation that would expand and bolster youth programs including Service and Conservation Corps has been routinely introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Under Mary Ellen’s leadership, in 2010 more than $63 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects were granted to Service and Conservation Corps throughout the country by 15 federal agencies. These projects provided youth with jobs and service opportunities while connecting them to public lands including national parks and forests. More recently, Mary Ellen has served as a member of the Federal Advisory Committee tasked with providing recommendations to federal land management agencies on how to implement a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
In addition to her productive time at The Corps Network, she has ten years of Capitol Hill experience, including two years on the House Committee on Education and Labor handling postsecondary education, training, and life-long learning programs. She also worked for Representatives Matthew G. Martinez (D-CA) and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). Before joining The Corps Network, Mary Ellen was Vice President of Government Relations at the Education Finance Council, the national trade association for nonprofit and state-based student loan providers. Prior to that, she spent two years as the Assistant to the President of the University of Montana.
Mary Ellen Sprenkel
The Corps Network
Catherine N. Awwad
NYEC Board of Directors
Catherine N. Awwad is President and CEO of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) which serves 41 cities and towns in Connecticut. Taking on the role in January of 2001, Cathy has led the Board’s administration of local, state and federal job training programs. Through strategic planning, the agency develops, and implements programming to meet the needs of employers and jobseekers in the Northwest Region of the state. Youth employment and the development of ‘tomorrow’s workforce’ are of the highest priority for the agency.
Cathy oversees procurement and coordination of service-providers to ensure seamless delivery of workforce programs. Cathy leverages her work at NRWIB by serving in leadership roles on several other boards. As Chair of the Waterbury Development Corporation, she participates in the on-the-ground economic development projects in and around Waterbury. She also serves on the Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corp. Cathy is President of 698 South Main, a nonprofit board established to oversee the redevelopment of a 17-acre industrial site. Between 1993 and 2000, she served on the Board of Aldermen in Waterbury, and later became Chief of Staff of the Mayor’s Office. Cathy served two “appointed” terms on the Waterbury Board of Education. She graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston and studied at UConn, Waterbury. Her professional and community activities include: member of the Holy Land Waterbury Board of Directors, the Naugatuck Valley Community College Regional Advisory Committee, and the Connecticut Pharmacist’s Association.
Catherine Awwad
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
Mary Jo Ramirez
NYEC Board of Directors
Mary Jo Ramirez is the Executive Director of California Family Life Center (CFLC) and has served at CFLC for 30 years. She is a graduate of La Sierra University and advocates concerning issues affecting vulnerable children, youth, and families. Her experience includes being actively involved in creating opportunities for economic, social, and community development.
As the Executive Director, she oversees the CFLC’s Foster Family, Short Term Residential Treatment and Mental Health program, Kin Care, Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Youth Programs, Riverside County YouthBuild program, and CFLC’s parenting education for Safe Care and Strengthening Families. She is a board member for the Riverside County Workforce Development Board and serves on the WDB Executive Committee. She serves on the Riverside County Transportation Commission – Citizens Advisory Council for Specialized Transportation, and the Riverside County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
Mary Jo Ramirez
California Family Life Center
Camille Serelus
NYEC Board of Directors
Camille Serelus, MPH, PMP, serves as Program Manager of the Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative at ACAM, where she leads workforce and learning initiatives that expand opportunities for youth and working adults. In this role, she supports cross-sector collaboration across an 80+ partner network, helping align engagement, referral, and workforce strategies across the Houston region.
Prior to her work in Houston, Camille helped design and scale a biotech workforce training program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, launching research associates into entry-level careers in the life sciences. Her earlier experience in higher education centered on student advising and wellness, grounding her practice in a deep commitment to equity and access. She holds a firm belief that education and meaningful employment open doors for those who have been left behind.
Camille holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Northeastern University and a Master of Public Health from Boston University.
Camille Serelus
Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative
Caroline Brown-Williamson
NYEC Board of Directors
Caroline Brown-Williamson has over 25 years experience working with underserved, marginalized youth living in the rural communities of Appalachia through dropout prevention efforts in local school systems and community college entities in North Carolina. Currently, Caroline serves as Workforce Development and Education Director with HIGHTS Youth Organization located in Cullowhee, NC. HIGHTS (Helping Inspire Gifts, Hope, Trust, and Service) is a contracted WIOA youth provider and serves youth in the 7 most Western North Carolina (WNC) counties. HIGHTS' mission is to transform youth in WNC by inspiring trust in their own abilities, connection to a caring community, and hope for a better future. Caroline’s experience in grant management and writing provided over $3,000,000 in funding to uplift organizations serving opportunity youth. Caroline also serves as a Project Manager for myFUTURENC which is an initiative in North Carolina advocating for 2 million citizens to achieve a high quality education credential by 2030. Additionally, her involvement with STEM-Entrepreneurship has led over 8 school districts in efforts to bring career awareness and connections to state universities to help young people achieve their career goals. Caroline holds a Masters in School Administration, serves on the local Salvation Army Board, Historic Preservation Board, and NYEC Board. She enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family who all live in Western NC. She is honored to serve on the NYEC Board to participate in growing the membership and advocate for NYEC’s important work for our young people.
Caroline Brown Williamson
HIGHTS
Franco Vega
NYEC Board of Directors
Franco Vega founded The RightWay Foundation in 2011 in recognition of the unresolved trauma and barriers negatively impacting job retention for foster youth.
Franco began his career in employment services 28 years ago teaching ‘Rites of Passage’ to transition age foster youth (TAY) with the Department of Children & Family Services. He also created an employment center on Skid Row at the Midnight Mission, working with recovering addicts and the homeless population. From providing case management and supervision for 5-12 year olds to creating a Job Development Component for the Youth Opportunity Movement in Watts and Boyle Heights with the Community Development Department for the City of Los Angeles (funded by the Department of Labor), Franco had years of experience working with struggling foster youth, helping him recognize that it was time to develop a program that combines mental health services and job readiness training for transition-age foster youth in Los Angeles County.
Like many of the youth he now serves, Franco had a traumatic upbringing, suffering a great deal of mental/physical abuse and neglect from the one person who should have protected him the most, his mother. Franco’s father unfortunately passed away from a terrible disease, alcoholism, early on. Five years later, Franco’s mother passed away from cancer. At the age of 15, he was now well-acquainted with juvenile hall and remained on probation until the age of 18 years old. He bounced around to more than ten different schools and graduated from a continuation high school before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He received an honorable discharge in 1995. In 2000, he crossed the stage from California State University of Dominguez Hills with a degree in Human Services and has been hard at work with projects related to job development for underserved communities.
Along with the youth RightWay serves, Franco is busy raising a family of his own with 4 beautiful children, still managing to find time to coach little league baseball. Franco serves on several boards and was appointed County Commissioner for LA County Commission For Children & Families, District 2. Currently, he is in the process of going back to school to earn his MSW to become a licensed clinical social worker. Franco and The RightWay Foundation continue to provide support in a family atmosphere, and are building new foundations the right way, one foster youth at a time.
Franco Vega
The RightWay Foundation
Oorebomi (Bomi) Akarakiri
NYEC Board of Directors
Oorebomi (Bomi) Akarakiri is an international relations scholar and policy professional based in Washington, D.C. where she is currently pursuing her MA at Johns Hopkins University SAIS after graduating summa cum laude from Howard University in 2025. Bomi is a government relations interdisciplinarian, bringing extensive experience across the foreign policy, national security, and advocacy sectors- but she currently works as the Research and Policy Director for the Young People’s Alliance.
Bomi is also passionate about strengthening US-Africa relations, leveraging her background as a Nigerian-American growing up in London, UK as well as her first-hand engagements on the African continent to promote cultural exchanges. In her free time Bomi likes to do hair, read and spend time with family.
Oorebomi (Bomi) Akarakiri
Intl. Relations Scholar/Policy Professional
Liz Hoagland
NYEC Board of Directors
Liz Hoagland serves as Director of Education and Workforce Development at Fairfield County's Community Foundation where she focuses on the foundation's work dedicated to youth and young adults in education and workforce result areas. Prior to joining the foundation, Liz has over 15 years of experience in the direct-service nonprofit sector serving youth and young adults.
She received her Master of Public Administration from New York University's Rober F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Bates College, and is a graduate of Columbia University's Developing Leaders Program.
Liz Hoagland
Fairfield County Community Foundation
Jay Styles
NYEC Board of Directors
Jay Styles is a senior leader in nonprofit workforce development with over 20 years of experience advancing strategic partnerships, talent pipelines, and employer engagement. As Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Talent Connection at EmployIndy, she leads major, multi-million-dollar grant initiatives alongside efforts that connect businesses to diverse, often untapped talent while expanding equitable career pathways for youth and adults. Her work spans systems change, organizational leadership, and performance-driven program design, supported by expertise in compliance, community engagement, and emerging areas such as AI and skills-based hiring.
Jay Styles
EmployIndy
Tiffany Osborne
NYEC Board of Directors
Tiffany Lynn Osborne
Trailblazer, Author, Inspirer, and Director of Workforce Strategy & Partnerships: Tiffany is an innovative, driven, and accomplished workforce development leader, with over a decade of experience leading local and national workforce initiatives. Recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of DC for 2023, 2024, & 2025 by Women We Admire. Named 2024 Business Development Leader of the Year. Tiffany recently published her debut memoir, "Unstoppable: A Story of Resilience," sharing her inspiring journey. Passionate about empowering others, she is committed to helping individuals discover their power and potential.
Tiffany Osborne
FHI 360
Kate Sarata
NYEC Board of Directors
Kate Sarata has been with The Service Collaborative since her start as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and has served as Executive Director since 2011, now leading a $4.5 million organization in Buffalo, NY. A committed leader, she is deeply dedicated to service, strengthening communities, and supporting nonprofits through work in education, workforce development, opportunity youth, national service, and environmental stewardship. Outside of work, she enjoys life along the Niagara River with her husband, their 11.5-year-old, and three cats, and loves boating, cooking, collecting cookbooks, and traveling. A proud Buffalonian, she’s always cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Kate Sarata
The Service Collaborative
Paull Sell
NYEC Board of Directors
Paul Sell is an Associate Director at Youth Development Oregon (YDO), where he supports the agency’s youth grantmaking efforts and system development across the state. Paul joined YDO in 2020 to lead the implementation of the Oregon Youth Reengagement System, bringing more than 20 years of experience in public education as a teacher and school administrator.
Drawing from his work in both comprehensive and alternative education settings (grades 6–12), Paul focuses on building and strengthening systems of support and collaboration among schools and service providers. His work centers on helping youth across Oregon reengage and reconnect with education, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.
Paul Sell
Youth Development Oregon (YDO)
Kia Wright
NYEC Board of Directors
Kia Wright is the Co‑Founder and Executive Director of VOICES Corporation, a healing‑centered, youth‑focused nonprofit serving over 1,700 young people annually. She and her husband, Trey Wright, founded VOICES to transform outcomes for youth and families facing trauma, poverty, and systemic inequities.
Kia Wright
VOICES Corp
Wendy-Anne Roberts
NYEC Board of Directors
An experienced nonprofit leader with a strong record of success, Wendy-Anne’s career has centered on improving outcomes for youth and adults through education and career development. As President and CEO of Philadelphia Youth Network, Wendy-Anne ensures that Philadelphia’s youth have meaningful career exposure and work experiences leading to sustainable career pathways. She previously served as Executive Director of Need in Deed, where she led the organization out of a multi-year deficit and cultivated new donors. Wendy-Anne also served as Executive Director of The Workforce Institute where she brought in-demand occupational training to youth and adults. Wendy-Anne holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University.
