Leadership Bios

Teddy Reese, Board Chair

Tremaine “Teddy” Reese is principal owner and managing attorney of The Reese Firm, LLC. Reese’s memberships have included the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Florida Bar, State Bar of Georgia, Fountain City Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association. He is a graduate of Albany State University, Georgia College and State University and he graduated Cum Laude from Florida A&M University of Law. Reese is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the NAACP, and the Albany State University National Alumni Association.

Additionally, he is a member of the Columbus Inns of Courts and was among the 2014 Columbus and the Valley Magazine Top 5 Under 40 Professionals, 2016 Rural Leader Magazine Top Professional Under 40 and 2016 Georgia Trend Magazine Top 40 Under 40. In 2018 Reese received the Urban League of Greater Columbus Trailblazer Award.

He graduated with the 2014 Class of Young Game Changers through Georgia Forward and Leadership Georgia Class of 2015. Reese also received the Center for Legal Education Opportunity Diversity Leadership Award and American Bar Association Law Student Division Golden Key Award. In 2011 Reese served as the National Chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division.

Juan Sepulveda, Vice Chair

A Biden-Harris transition team appointee, Juan Sepúlveda worked in the Obama Administration as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. He also served as Senior Advisor for Hispanic Affairs for the Democratic National Committee and Texas State Director for the Obama for America campaign. Sepúlveda is the Ron Calgaard Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice in the Political Science department’s at Trinity University in San Antonio’s TX. He has served on the university’s Director for Student Diversity & Inclusion search team and as a member of the Census and Voter Engagement Committee. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Sepúlveda created and led the Dream Lead Institute, a year-long leadership development program aimed at young professional Dreamer leaders. Prior to joining Trinity, he was Senior Vice President of Station Services and System Leadership at PBS and hosted the weekly KLRN San Antonio PBS television series, “Conversations.” Sepúlveda grew up in a working class Mexican American neighborhood in Topeka, KS., working as a high school student for Secretary of State Jack H. Brier and with the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, where the late Willie Velasquez was one of his mentors. The author of The Life and Times of Willie Velasquez: Su Voto Es Su Voz (Arte Público Press), Sepúlveda serves on the national boards of the Alliance for Excellent Education; Communities in Schools; the Hispanic Heritage Foundation; MDC; the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships; and the national advisory board of Learn 4 Life. He is the third Latino ever awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and has a B.A. in Government from Harvard College, a M.A. in Politics, Philosophy & Economics from The Queen’s College, Oxford University, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Janet Lincoln, Secretary

For more than 20 years Lincoln’s professional and volunteer life has involved working with those in need, primarily children. Her main focus has been to provide support to youth in delinquency and dependency court cases. In her appointed position as Arizona's Yavapai County Public Defender, Lincoln oversaw the defense of indigent criminal defendants, all children in delinquency court, all children with their parents in dependency court, and all persons involuntarily committed to mental institutions. She has personally served as legal counsel for hundreds of children in juvenile court. Lincoln was a supervising attorney for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), where she oversaw the legal division for litigation in the Western region of the United States. She has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and has also donated her time with Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation, Yavapai County Juvenile Court Advisory Board, Phoenix Youth at Risk and as a mentor for juvenile delinquency court.

Clarence Campbell, Treasurer

As Executive Vice President of Sales for Lendistry, Clarence Campbell is responsible for leading sales operations, client experience and business development. Clarence has over 27 years of banking leadership experience with a successful track record of driving revenue and sustainable organizational growth. He received his business management degree from Johns Hopkins University. Clarence is also a graduate of Leadership Baltimore County and THE Leadership, a Program of the Greater Baltimore Committee.

As a native Baltimorean with a passion for people, Clarence understands the importance of building the community and is a huge proponent for small business and community development. He is the former Board Chairman for the Greater Baltimore Urban League, leads a youth basketball program for Catonsville Recreation and Parks, and has served as a Board Member of the Downtown Partnership.

Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D.

Named one of Savoy Magazine’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D. is Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Community Development & Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Renasant Bank. In her role, she leads community initiatives to promote small business development and increase business relationship management. A divisional leader, she sits on the company’s Senior Executive Leaders Roundtable to guide and support diversity and inclusion efforts.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Morant Adams was elected Southeastern Regional Director in 2022. She has been recognized by the NAACP and other community organizations for her commitment to service and economic development in underserved communities. A native Alabamian, in 2019, she was appointed to the Women’s Statutes Commission by the Governor of Alabama, and in 2018, was named to Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Transition Team as a strategic leader of economic development initiatives. Dr. Morant Adams serves on boards of many organizations, including the Talladega College Board of Trustees, where she is Co-Chair, the YWCA of Greater Birmingham, The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, Birmingham Kiwanis Club, United Way of Central Alabama, and Children’s Hospital of Alabama. She also sits on the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Community Bankers Advisory Council located in Washington, DC.

Dr. Morant Adams has been recognized for her humanitarian efforts by The American Heart Association and Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team. She is a recipient of the Birmingham City School System – Wilkerson Middle School Civil Leadership Award, the 2015 Birmingham Business Alliance Jessie Lewis Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, and the 2018 Summit Media for Leadership Fusion Energizer Award. She was recognized as a 2018 Central Alabama Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction and received a 2019 Stillman College Alabama Female Firsts award.

Dr. Morant Adams received a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law from Alabama State University, an MBA from Samford University, and a B.A. in Business Management from the University of Montevallo. She also completed extensive post graduate studies in quantitative analysis from Temple University and Economic Development training from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Birmingham and a 2014 graduate of Leadership Shelby County (AL).

Dr. Morant Adams is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, The Links, Incorporated, Birmingham Kiwanis, The Women’s Network of Birmingham, Samford University Brock School of Business Advisory Board, The Girl Friends, Incorporated, and the National Association of Parliamentarians. She is actively involved with New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband Jeff Adams, stepson, JJ, her mother, Mrs. Callie W. Morant, and her extended family.

Kamia Brown

Kamia has excelled in the roles of leadership, relationship-building, problem resolution and being of great service to the public. She holds extensive knowledge of laws, the legislative and political processes and protocol, as well as experience with non-profit community organizations and fundraising. She was honored by the Children's Home Society as "Legislative Champion Freshman Legislator of the Year" and by the Florida Education Association with the"Freshman Legislator Friend of Public Education Award."

Thomas Foster

Retired Kansas District Judge Thomas Foster served his state’s 10th Judicial district for 21 years. He served for more than a decade as chairman of the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Committee and helped to start the Johnson County Family Court docket. Judge Foster was active in the National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges and encouraged parents and attorneys to resolve family disputes without costly litigation and undue stress on children.

Following his retirement, Judge Foster used his considerable influence and experience to focus on issues impacting children and families. He served on the Kansas Juvenile Justice Review Committee where he worked to reform youth facilities and child support guidelines. The committee’s work led to closing ineffective group homes, saving the state more than $10 million, and reinvesting in effective evidence-based community programs.

Judge Foster is a graduate of Regis University and Washburn University School of Law . He was a private practice lawyer for 21 years before becoming a judge.

James Gee

James Gee is known and respected for integrating technology, data, and communications to create outside-the-box opportunities for his clients. He is as comfortable connecting with those who occupy the circles of power in Washington and global celebrities as he is speaking with your neighbor; and his experience proves he can motivate them all equally.

Dedicated to public service and building the Democratic Party, Gee has designed and implemented strategies to register, reach, and engage previously disenfranchised voters. His efforts extend from the most local levels of government directly into the halls of Congress and the West Wing. Gee’s work ranges from registering voters one by one on Trenton's East State Street to organizing a Capitol Hill conference on Black Women and Girls Issues with 5,000 attendees.

From his work on city council races to drafting speeches and messaging on Sean Combs' private jet for the Citizen Change "Vote or Die" campaign, Gee is a frontline fighter for democratic values. He has worked on state, local, and federal races and in New Jersey served as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the McGreevey Administration and a senior adviser to the Corzine for Governor, Booker for Senate, and Murphy for Governor campaigns.

Gee was the architect behind Bonnie Watson Coleman's historic campaign to become New Jersey's first Black woman to serve in Congress. After her win, his work dramatically elevated her profile and created opportunities for the Congresswoman to lend her voice to critical issues. Gee worked with her to create the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls and the Emergency Task Force on Black Youth Suicide. These initiatives raised awareness of previously overlooked issues, amplifying the Congresswoman’s voice on radio and television, and attracting celebrities like Taraji P. Henson to further increase issue visibility.

Gee is most proud of his family – his lovely wife, Farrah, and his two beautiful children, Asa and Ella.

Husnah Khan

A fulltime student in the MBA program at the University of Rochester, Simon Business School, Husnah Khan is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Wayne State University Law School. In college she served her campus community as a resident advisor and peer mentor. During law school, she was frequently featured on the front page of the Legal News for work she completed as a Michigan Innocence Clinic intern and President of the Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA). At the Innocence Clinic, her work on the Mubarez Ahmed case led to his exoneration, a life-altering achievement and great source of pride for Khan. As MLSA President, Khan planned and executed high-profile events, including conferences featuring SERIAL podcast attorney Rabia Chaudry, supermodel and fashion icon Halima Aden, and criminal reform advocate Shaka Senghor. In addition to caring deeply about people and their communities, Khan is a fierce advocate for animals. Each year on her birthday for the last decade, she has successfully fundraised for various animal sanctuaries and shelters. In her free time, Khan enjoys adding to her expansive book collection, singing, writing poetry, and traveling.

Mark Lester

Mark Lester is a Relationship Director within Specialized Industries Government Banking team. In this role, Lester works with Central Region government clients in the State of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio providing lending, investment, and complex treasury solutions. In addition to his current role, Lester has worked with multiple industry segments including healthcare, nonprofits, higher education, manufacturing, financial institutions, and core commercial clients. Lester has held roles in Treasury Management, Commercial Banking, and Client Service. He holds an undergraduate degree in marketing and finance from Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY. Lester has served on many leadership councils and diversity initiatives in his 29 years as a banker. In addition to serving on the YAP board, he is currently on the Board of Directors for the Forest Preserves of Cook County Foundation and the Civic Federation of Chicago.

William Wachob

Bill Wachob's unique background combines government, communications, electoral and public policy expertise. His insight into campaigns comes from a professional political career spanning over three decades.

In 1975, Bill began his public service career as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Youth Advocate Program of Pennsylvania. At the age of 25, Bill was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature where he focused on juvenile justice, welfare and senior citizen issues. After serving three terms (1979 – 1984), Bill worked closely with United States Senator Tom Harkin as the Executive Director of Independent Action PAC.

Since 1989, Bill has directed the west coast office of The Campaign Group, Inc., a national media/political consulting firm with offices in Philadelphia and San Diego. He received national recognition for consulting on the campaigns of five successful congressional campaigns. In 1994 Campaigns & Elections magazine called The Campaign Group one of the premier media/communications firms in the country and called Bill Wachob a “rising star” in national politics.

Bill has been a Governor’s Appointee to the California Youth Authority Board and involved in public affairs campaigns for Southern California Edison, California Power Exchange (CalPX), Automated Power Exchange (APX), San Diego Gas and Electric, SEMPRE Energy, and numerous public interest organizations.

Bill holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and an MGA from the Fels Center of Government, University of Pennsylvania.

He lectures extensively on campaign strategy, communications, and public policy and recently completed teaching a course, Influencing Public Policy, at the Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Stephen Ward

With a decades-long career in public policy, Stephen Ward brings a deep set of advocacy skills and relationships to the YAP board. As a principal since 2011 with VH Strategies, a Washington, DC-based government affairs consulting, he has represented non-profit healthcare networks, advocates for investing in the nation’s crumbling school buildings, renewable energy providers, a leading technology in carbon capture, and a wide range of other clients. Prior to joining VHS, Ward served from 2003-2011 as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), one of the architects of Obamacare and a key player in the nation’s efforts to shift to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gasses. Early in his career, Ward was executive director of the Clearfield County, PA Youth Technical Unit, an Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)-funded project focused on developing in-community resources to reduce out-of-county institutional placement of at-risk children and youth. During that time, he cofounded and led the Youth Services Alliance of Pennsylvania, a state-wide coalition of community-based providers, including YAP, that was instrumental in legislative efforts to ban placement of youth in county jails and creating financial incentives to encourage in-community services as an alternative to detention and placement. Ward worked closely on those successful efforts with YAP board member Bill Wachob during his time working for Tom Jeffers in the early days YAP, and later when he was a Commonwealth legislator. Ward has taught and operated a service-learning program at an alternative high school, and spent a decade in electoral politics, and a decade representing a high-tech company on federal policy. He received his B.A. and M.Ed. from Penn State.

Ellana Watson

At 26, Ellana Watson is the youngest person appointed to serve on YAP’s board. Watson is a global systems reform advocate, representing the youth voice to inform systems of care. In 2011, after a fight in school, Watson, who was already in Philadelphia’s child welfare system, also entered the city’s youth justice system. As an alternative to youth incarceration, a judge offered her an opportunity to participate in YAP. Since her YAP graduation, Watson stayed in contact with the organization and volunteered at events. This led to her becoming involved in the nonprofit’s international work, representing YAP in Brazil and Argentina as a street soccer player and serving as a youth ambassador and mentor at international street tournaments. Watson later hosted a Swedish delegation visiting the YAP program in Philadelphia and assisted an Argentinian team in presenting a street soccer workshop as part of YAP’s 40th anniversary celebration. Ellana won a YAP Endowment Fund Scholarship, which enabled her to complete her studies at Philadelphia Community College and go on to work as a mental health technician at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. She’s enrolled in Thomas Jefferson University’s dual BS in Behavioral Health Services and MS in Community Trauma degree program. Of note, she also plays offensive guard for the the Philadelphia Phantomz, part of the Women’s National Football Conference, a semi-pro full contact tackle league. She wants young girls to know that football is not just for boys and that girls can play as well, even at pro level.

Mamie Jackson Williams

Mamie is the vice president of development for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington (PPMW), where she strategically completed their $20M Capital Campaign for the organization’s new administrative headquarters and clinic in Washington, DC. PPMW’s philanthropy has more than doubled under Mamie’s leadership.

Previously, she served as the executive director of development for George Washington University School of Business (GWSB). While at GWSB, she managed the day-to-day operations and the School’s $80M Campaign. Before GWSB, she was with the Smithsonian Institution, where she crafted the initial philanthropic programming for the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Institution’s Archives as the associate director of advancement in the organization’s history. As a seasoned development professional, Mamie previously worked in higher education as associate vice president of development for Spelman College, where she spearheaded major gifts and planned giving activity in their largest Campaign ever. In addition, Mamie served as a major gift officer at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland-College Park, Rutgers University Division of Life Sciences, and Purdue University. At Purdue University, Mamie secured the Gupta Professorship in Nanotechnology and raised over $15M towards their Nanotechnology Center.

Mamie is a contributing author to Philanthropy in America: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia. She earned a Masters of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar College and has served as faculty for CASE’s Conference on Diverse Philanthropy and Leadership.

Mamie enjoys traveling, knitting, and spending time with her husband Robert and daughter, Abigail Faye.

A. Toni Young

A. Toni Young is a longtime advocate for women’s health, with a focus on reproductive health matters related to HIV/AIDs, she recently co-founded Rural Health Service Providers Network, which addresses the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in West Virginia communities. Prior to her move to West Virginia, Young founded Washington, DC. and San Francisco-based Community Education Group (CEG), a non-profit organization dedicated to stop the spread of HIV and eliminate health disparities. Founded in 1993 as the National Women and HIV/AIDS Project, CEG trains community health workers; and educates and testis hard-to-reach populations; and provides organizational capacity-building resources. Young has achieved positive outcomes by building local and national coalitions, developing a returning citizens program that trained and hired returning citizens to be local case managers and testers; and creating a tablet-based enrollment form linking real-time local Medicaid and Medicare data and services. As part of her work, Young chaired HIV prevention services committees for the DC Department of Health and the San Francisco HIV Prevention Planning Council. She is the author of numerous scientific journal publication articles and the recipient of many honors, including the WNBA Washington Mystics Capital Bank One Community Champions award for her work with helping Washington DC communities affected by HIV/AIDs. Young completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program.

John McKnight

For over three decades, John L. McKnight has conducted research on social service delivery systems, health policy, community organizations, neighborhood policy, and institutional racism. At Northwestern University, his alma mater, he has served as Professor of Communication Studies and Education and Social Policy. He also serves as Director of Community Studies, Institute for Policy Research; and Co-Director, Asset-Based Community Development Institute. He currently directs research projects focused on asset-based neighborhood development and methods of community building by incorporating marginalized people. Mr. McKnight has been associated with many of the Institute's major research projects since he joined the organization in 1969. These have included research on the urban determinants of health, law enforcement, urban disinvestment and metropolitan government, deinstitutionalized child welfare services, police anticrime programs, and the effects of the perception of crime upon community responses. He also directed the Chicago Innovations Forum, an IPR-based dialogue among neighborhood leaders and innovators in economic, political and social development. Much of his work on asset-based community development is captured in his co-authored book, Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets (1993), which has circulated through a broad range of community, government, business, nonprofit, and educational institutions in the United States and Canada. Articles he has written over the past two decades were published in The Careless Society (1995). He serves on the Board of Directors of numerous community organizations including the Gamaliel Foundation and The National Training and Information Center.

Gary Ivory

President and CEO
givory@yapinc.org
214.417.7614

Gary Ivory currently serves as President and CEO. In this capacity, he manages business and fund development, strategy, marketing, communications, finance, legal and other key executive leadership functions. He also travels the country to explore and develop new opportunities to implement the YAP model. Gary pioneered work with juvenile street gangs in Fort Worth, TX. This work was featured in several national publications including Catalyst, a national newsletter of the National Crime Prevention Council, and the PBS series In Search of Law and Order. The Tarrant County programs, known as TCAP, have been featured as a national model for developing community-based alternatives for serious juvenile offenders.

Gary received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College. In 1999, he received the alumnus of the decade award from his alma mater. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary with a focus on public policy and ethics. He has also completed graduate course work at the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs at Princeton University. In 2003, he completed training at the Harvard Negotiation Project Program at the Harvard Law School. In 2008, he was selected by the Stanford University Graduate School of Business as a Center for Social Innovation Fellow for Executive Nonprofit leaders.

Carla Benway

Chief Learning and Innovation Officer
cbenway@yapinc.org
717.514.6965

Carla Benway is YAP's Chief Learning and Innovation Officer. She joined YAP in 1998 as a therapist in a program in Eastern Pennsylvania. She has since directed and developed juvenile justice, child welfare and behavioral health programs in multiple locations in the US as well as England and Ireland. She provided consultation and training to New York City's Administration for Children's Services from 2004-2007 to support their effort to improve permanency for teens. In her current role, Carla oversees the agency’s marketing, training, model development, and internal communications. Carla’s responsibilities also include overseeing agency-wide strategic initiatives that present unique opportunities for YAP to achieve its mission.

Prior to YAP, Carla gained experience as a hospital social worker, resident advisor in an Independent Living Program for older teens in the child welfare system, Children's Advocate, Crisis Counselor and Community Educator at a Domestic Violence Shelter, and Parenting Educator in a Family Preservation Program.

Carla received her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master's in Social Work from Marywood University. She also studied International Administration with a concentration in Public Health at the University of Miami. Carla is an executive member of Resilient Lehigh Valley and actively volunteers in multiple ministries at her church.

Emma Chen

General Counsel
echen@yapinc.org

Emma Chen joined YAP in August 2019 and serves as its General Counsel.

Before joining YAP, Emma was an attorney at international law firms in Detroit, MI and Washington, D.C., where her practice focused on complex litigation matters. She has specific experience in employment litigation, commercial litigation and dispute resolution, and international arbitration. Emma has first-chaired a bench trial, prepared fact and expert witnesses for depositions and trial, taken and defended depositions, drafted pleadings, dispositive motions and post-hearing briefs, and managed large-scale document productions.

Emma received her B.A. in Psychology from Yale University and her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. While in law school, she served as executive editor of the Journal of Business and Employment Law and as associate editor of the Journal of Labor and Employment Law. She is a past President of American Citizens for Justice and has served on its board since 2009. In her free time, Emma enjoys baking.

Rick Stottlemyer, Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer
rstottlemyer@yapinc.org
717.232.7580 x1306

Richard Stottlemyer, II joined the YAP Team in 1989 at the start of a period of tremendous growth within the agency. Demonstrating strong fiscal leadership early in his YAP career, Rick worked in concert with corporate officers and external consultants in the development of policies, procedures and systems necessary to support YAP’s current and future growth. He became thoroughly knowledgeable of all facets of YAP’s fiscal operations as well as the mission that drives the agency’s work with youth and families. With a then small team at the YAP Support Center (Administrative Headquarters), Rick was instrumental in helping YAP meet the challenges that accompany an agency’s rapid expansion. With his extensive experience in all fiscal areas, he was well prepared for new responsibilities when he was named YAP’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Rick is a graduate of Elizabethtown College (PA) where he earned a BS in Accounting.

Kelly D. Williams

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
kdwilliams@yapinc.org
202.604.7061

Kelly D. Williams serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.

Prior to joining YAP, Kelly led integrated communications and marketing initiatives for multinational corporations, including Cubic Corporation, and national nonprofits, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. At Burrell Communications, Kelly headed Engagement Marketing, leading teams to create innovative campaigns to build customer loyalty for McDonalds, Verizon, Procter & Gamble, and other consumer brands.

Kelly began her career as a broadcast journalist and has also served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of North Florida. She is the author of two parenting books, Single Mamahood: Advice & Wisdom for the African American Single Mother, and Single Mama Dos and Don’ts.She has a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University in Missouri and a master’s from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Carolyn Caprioni, RN, BSN

Quality Improvement Director
ccaprioni@yapinc.org
856.986.0473

Carolyn came to YAP in 2003 with 20 years of psychiatric-mental health nursing experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in the science of nursing with Registered Nurse and Registered Forensic Nurse licensures. Carolyn ensures that YAP's Mid-Atlantic Region programs adhere to federal, state and contractual regulations as well as Council on Accreditation standards of quality care. She has developed and implemented an exemplary QI program in NJ and was an integral part of getting YAP’s Integrity Compliance Program off the ground as well as the expansion of NJ’s Behavioral Health programs to now include 8 outpatient programs, 16 school sites and still growing.

In addition, she acts as the Mid-Atlantic Region liaison on YAP’s Integrity Compliance, Safety, and Employee Insurance committees. In addition to her work with YAP, Carolyn worked as a Forensic Nurse working with victims of sexual assault. In her spare time she enjoys a lifelong commitment to learning and is currently preparing to sit for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality exam.

Lynette Connor

Executive Vice President - DC, DE, MD, NJ, Philadelphia
lconnor@yapinc.org
856.397.5757

Lynette has accumulated more than 25 years of working experience in the social services field and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by the state of New Jersey. She is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and a Qualified Clinical Social Worker. Prior to joining YAP, Lynette worked for a variety of institutions, including: SJ Behavioral Health Resources, Rancocas Associates, Family Service of Burlington County, South Jersey Counseling Service, Family Preservation Services at Family Counseling Service, and the New Jersey Department of Corrections. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, as well as the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Lynette received BS and MSW degrees from Rutgers University.

Craig Jernigan

Regional Director - DC, MD
cjernigan@yapinc.org
443.248.4878

Coming Soon

Stephanie Moore

Regional Director - NJ
smoore@yapinc.org
856.630.1691

Coming Soon

Renise Welbon

Regional Director - DE/PHL
rwelbon@yapinc.org

Renise is the Regional Director for the Philadelphia/Delaware regions in the Mid-Atlantic Region. She comes to YAP with over 20 years of experience working in the fields of behavioral health and counseling, education and school-based services, and social services for children and adults. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish, and from the University of Delaware with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel Administration. She is certified as a trainer in Crisis Prevention & Intervention, and is also a Certified Investigator for the Intellectual DisAbility service system in Pennsylvania. Renise has 3 children and lives in Delaware County with her husband and 2 youngest daughters. She is a DIE-HARD Philadelphia Sports fan, but partial to the EAGLES, SIXERS, and UNION teams. She sings with an acapella gospel group and has written and produced several songs and CD's along with members of the group. She is very excited to be joining the YAP team as she believes she will be able to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families through her work here.

Jamaal Crawford

Regional Director - IN, KY, OH
jcrawford@yapinc.org
502.398.7889

Jamaal Crawford is a Kentucky native, born and raised in Louisville. Jamaal has 14 years experience working in residential and psychiatric facilities with high risk youth and youth involved with chemical dependency.

Jamaal came to YAP as an advocate in July 2017 when the program first started up and running. Jamaal was able to quickly transition into the Program Director of Louisville beginning December 2018. In this role, Jamaal continued to develop relationships with community resources, referring authorities, and youth/families. Jamaal then became the State Director of KY, overseeing programs in both Louisville and Lexington. Jamaal has recently been promoted into the Regional Director- Midwest Region. He oversees KY, IN, Cincinnati, and St. Louis.

David R. Williams

Chief Program Officer
drwilliams@yapinc.org
773.406.6239

Coming Soon

E'Ron Leveston

Regional Director - IA, WI, IL
eleveston@yapinc.org

Coming soon

Monique Robbins

Regional Director - IL - C2C
mrobbins@yapinc.org

Coming soon

Marlon Rucker

Regional Director - IL
mrucker@yapinc.org

Coming soon

Jessica Carlton

Vice President - PA
jcarlton@yapinc.org
412.215.5357

Jessica Carlton-Humenik is the Vice President of Pennsylvania programs for Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. Jessica began work with YAP in 1997 in Allegheny county as a Therapeutic Staff Support while attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. Following receipt of her graduate degree, she continued her work with YAP as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant, focusing her time with children on the autism spectrum, and those with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Jessica then continued her professional development toward leadership, accepting the position of Assistant Director in Allegheny county for several years, followed by the Director's position. In 2006, Jessica was promoted to the Director of Autism and Developmental Disabilities Program for Pennsylvania, supporting rapid development in behavioral health services across Pennsylvania. In 2012 Jessica was promoted to Vice President of Pennsylvania and Ohio programs.

Through her work with YAP, Jessica has collaborated with Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families to initiate a Truancy Advocate Program which now offers services throughout the Pittsburgh public school system. In addition to her work at YAP, Jessica has worked as an outpatient therapist with both children and adults specializing in anxiety and depression. She also has served as a Field Instructor for the University of Pittsburgh, Carlow College, Millersville University & Waynesburg University.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elizabethtown College and earned her MSW at the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a licensed social worker since 1997.

Rhonda Green

Regional Director - NY
rgreen@yapinc.org
845.235.2486

Coming soon

Michelle Heim

Quality Improvement Director - PA
mheim@yapinc.org
610.655.5413

Michelle has been employed with Youth Advocate Programs since 2005. Prior to coming to YAP, she received an undergraduate degree from Kutztown University. While receiving her bachelor's degree, she started a new degree program that included receiving a paralegal degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College along with bachelor's in psychology. She then went on to receive her graduate degree in Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University. She has a background providing outpatient individual and group therapy and has facilitated workshops on the Autism Spectrum at conferences across the United States.

Her early work at YAP was doing behavioral consultations, mobile therapy, and training. Over the last 5 years, she has transitioned to Quality Improvement and will sit for her CPHQ exam in 2023. She is certified in Discovery, as a Communication Mentor, and is ODP certified in Quality Management. She is currently completing trauma trainings through Lakeside Global. Michelle works on our national reaccreditation with the Council on Accreditation. She also works closely with the YAP programs Australia to help further our international work.

Jennifer Hill

Regional Director - PA
jhill@yapinc.org
570.396.2600

Jennifer Hill has worked for YAP since 2000, beginning her work as an advocate and a TSS. Jennifer received her Master of Science in Counseling from Summit University in 2007. For the next twelve years Jennifer worked as an MT and a BSC, specializing in supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum. In 2017 Jennifer became the Northeast Area Field Support Coordinator and Trainer for YAP. In 2010 Jennifer became a member of the NBCC and in 2014 became an LPC. In addition to her employment at YAP, Jennifer has worked in private practice and was the Clinical Supervisor of The Love Life Marriage and Family Center.

Dana LaCoss

Regional Director - NY
dlacoss@yapinc.org
315.854.2562

Dana LaCoss joined the YAP family in 2007 as an advocate. She quickly climbed the ladder to assistant director of our NY St. Lawrence County team in 2008. Shortly after that she was promoted to Program Director and then Executive Director until her Regional Director promotion in August of 2019. Dana was an active leader in creating and making the 0-5 parenting program such a success.

Dana grew up in St. Lawrence County NY and is raising her twin children there. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree from the local State University at Potsdam College. She was determined to become a local elementary teacher, but knew she needed to find a different career if she was going to make more of an impact on youth that she served in the classroom. She has obtained various certifications and training around the science of addiction, foster care and is part of a trauma informed team in her county.

Dana is part of the NY leadership team and oversees six counties in NY. She has hopes to continue expanding YAP all over the country and reaching as many families as YAP can to support their needs.

Casey Lane

Vice-President - MI, NH, NY, RI
cflane@yapinc.org
315.212.7338

Casey started his career at YAP in 2003 as an Advocate in Franklin County, NY. Shortly after starting as an Advocate he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Franklin County Family Resolutions Program, doing Family Group Conferencing. In 2004 he was promoted to Director of St. Lawrence County Family Resolutions Program. It is here that Casey refined his skills and soon became known as the “Reunification Specialist." He was called upon many times to work with others to teach those skills and help to bring many “kids” back home to their community. He has dedicated his career at YAP to reunifying youth and their families from out-of-home placements.

Casey currently is Regional Director (Since 2008) and oversees our YAP program in Marion County Indianapolis, IN, Providence, RI and the following counties in NY: Franklin, Clinton, Essex, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, and Chemung.

Casey is an avid outdoorsman, and an avid fan of Syracuse basketball and football teams… Go “Cuse”! He is also trustee at his local church, in Malone NY.

Adam Santacroce

Regional Director - NY
asantacroce@yapinc.org
845.527.4967

Adam is a NY native and resides just outside of NYC with his wife Betsy, daughter Isabella, and son AJ. Adam attended SUNY Oneonta where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He earned his Master of Counseling and Development Degree at L.I.U. CW Post. Adam is a former Guidance Counselor and holds a permanent certification in education.

In 2011 Adam became an Assistant Director for YAP’s OCFS Reunification Program. In 2013 he became NYS Regional Director and opened YAP’s Prevention/Reunification Program in Chemung County, which grew to include a school based advocate component and is part of a 5 state federal mentoring grant. Adam is an advocate for continuous training and has completed Child Abuse & Violence Workshops, Section 504 in NY: ‘A Closer Look’, Gang Intervention & Prevention, Advanced Youth Development, ADHD: Understanding and celebrating the gift, and Teen Suicide Prevention.

He is responsible for the over-sight of the South Bronx AIM Program, NYC Host Homes Project, as well as Ulster County and Schenectady County YAP programs. Adam is an active board member for the YAP Endowment Fund, which supports our youth and families in pursuing college or vocational schools to advance their skills and economic opportunities.

Regina Scarmack

Regional Director - PA
rscarmack@yapinc.org

Coming Soon

 

Bob Swanson

Regional Director - PA
rswanson@yapinc.org
717.514.3485

Bob joined YAP in 2000, first as an Advocate, then served as a program director in Lebanon County. From 2010-2014, he served as YAPs National Training coordinator. In his time at YAP, Bob has experience in leading juvenile justice, child welfare, behavioral health, developmental disability, and workforce development programs in addition to YAPs two community treatment centers for juvenile justice involved youth in Pennsylvania. Bob earned his Bachelor's degree from Clarion University.

Kasey Young

Regional Director - NY
kyoung@yapinc.org

Coming Soon

LaVeisha Cummings

Vice President - Southeast
lcummings@yapinc.org
312.433.6179

LaVeisha is the Vice President for YAP's Southeast region. LaVeisha joined YAP in 2011 as the Program Director for Chatham County-YAP located in Savannah, GA. In her current role, LaVeisha provides operational support and training to programs located in FL, GA, & SC.

LaVeisha received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech & Theatre from Albany State University, her Master’s Degree in Counseling & Psychology from Troy University and her Doctorate Degree in Christian Counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. LaVeisha is a published author and playwright. She brings to YAP a wealth of experience in both residential and community based programs working with youth considered at-risk.

Vivian Davis

Regional Director - FL
vdavis@yapinc.org

Coming Soon

Valerie Koeppel

Regional Director - NC, VA, WV
vkoeppel@yapinc.org
540.597.2247

Valerie Koeppel has worked with Youth Advocate Programs since 2009 when she began the operations for the first Virginia office in Roanoke. Through her work with YAP, Valerie has helped communities reduce their reliance out of home care. She has been involved in numerous strategic plans that have resulted in locality’s capacity to service children and families in their homes and communities. Valerie received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and her Master’s in Counseling from Virginia Tech. Valerie received an executive certificate from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and is a fellow with their Center for Juvenile Justice Reform.

Felicia Wells

Regional Director - AL
fwells@yapinc.org

Coming Soon

Kimberly Brandon

Regional Director - AR, CA, LA, TN, TX
kbrandon@yapinc.org
817.905.3826

Coming Soon

Naomi Chargois Edwards

Southwest Regional BH Director
nchargois@yapinc.org
281.627.8364

Naomi Chargois Edwards is YAP’s Southwest Regional Director of Behavioral Health Services. She joined YAP as a Community Living Support in 2014, and has served as Assistant Director and Program Director of Behavioral Health Services. Naomi’s primary focus was to oversee the provision of intensive specialized services to children and youth with serious emotional disturbances in Fort Bend, Gulf Coast, and Harris County. She brings to YAP a diverse background of individual and group behavioral health services as well as a vision and purpose to empower youth and inspire future leaders.

In her current role, she is focused on ensuring quality behavioral health services are provided to children and youth, influencing teams, increasing collaboration, building leaders, and improving morale.

Naomi obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Alabama State University and her Master’s in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. In her spare time she enjoys creating memories with family, engaging in community outreach, and volunteering in her local Children’s Ministry.

Kevin Faulkner

Southwest Director of Business Operations - AZ, CO, KS, LA, NV, TX
kfaulkner@yapinc.org
214.883.2304

Kevin Faulkner joined the YAP team in 2001 and currently serves as YAP’s Southwest Director of Business Operations. In this capacity, he maintains oversight of financial, contractual and operational areas of the programs that provide a range of community-based services for children, youth and families throughout the Southwest region.

David Glenn

Regional Director - KS/CO/UT
dglenn@yapinc.org
216.260.5272

David Glenn is YAP's Southwest Regional Director for the states of Kansas, Colorado and Utah. David began working with YAP as a the first juvenile justice advocate when services began in Kansas. David became the Kansas Director in September of 2017.

David moved to Kansas from his home state of North Carolina and started college in Kansas City. He graduated in Tucson, Arizona with a degree in Administration of Justice. David's career began working for Victim Services Division of the Pima County Attorney's Office. David specialized in Mobile Crisis Intervention service and Domestic Violences. He decided to move back to Kansas to start a family and utilize his experiences to help Kansas youth and families.

David oversees training and quality improvement for the Southwest region. He is a certified Mandt Instructor and is Red Cross certified instructor for adult and pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

Talvin Paul

Vice President - AR, CA, LA, TN, TX
tpaul@yapinc.org
832.289.4622

Talvin Paul is YAP’s Southwest Vice President, responsible for the overall operations of programs in the Texas Gulf Coast Region and the state of Louisiana. Talvin has more than 26 years of experience in the field of social service in the Houston TX area. He developed a strong clinical background during his early years at MHMRA. He later blended that experience with 12 years of criminal justice experience. Talvin developed several programs for special needs offenders within the community supervision and corrections department. He was also recognized for his innovative approach to working with multi-needs, at-risk juvenile offenders through the Vital Issues Program (VIP). As a result of his success, he received the TCA State award. He has been active in community-led programs that focused on reducing crimes in high crime neighborhoods. He also taught Introduction to Mental Health Mental Retardation, Suicide Prevention and Cultural Diversity at the University of Houston's Corrections Academy.

Talvin’s professional history reflects his dedication to advocacy for children and special needs offenders. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Grambling State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University. He is a Licensed Social Worker, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a Licensed Child Care Administrator.

Nyeri Richards

Regional Director AZ/CA/NV
nrichards@yapinc.org
702.890.4721

Nyeri Richards, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been with Youth Advocate Programs since 2012. Beginning with the agency as a Youth Advocate, she later served as a Program Director in a plethora of community-focused programming including Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, Violence Reduction and Workforce Development. Nyeri might best be known for her knowledge and work around victims and survivors of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) and currently works with survivors today. She formally served as the YAP SW Voice Coordinator, assisting in the collection, and recounting of client testimonials across the country and is a current member of the YAP International Peer Forum, partnering with our international chapters in global youth challenges. She has extensive experience as a national BAT Trainer, training YAP staff from the volunteer to the Senior Leadership level and has been a part of the planning for new office start-ups.

Nyeri enjoys raising her 15-year-old son and enjoys old classics and film noir in her spare time.

Patty Rosati

Chief Impact Officer
prosati@yapinc.org
717.599.8027

Patty Rosati is Southwest Vice President with YAP, currently presiding over Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. In this capacity, she maintains oversight of numerous Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare Programs, Workforce Development and Violence Prevention programs serving children, youth, adults and families.

As Regional Training Coordinator, she travels the region providing training to staff and ensuring compliance with YAP and Referring Authority standards. Patty is an Informed Supervision Trainer, Teen Outreach Program (TOP) Trainer and Rutgers University Accredited Basic Advocacy Trainer. Patty is also President of YAP’s Tom Jeffers Youth Endowment Fund, which generates scholarships to current and former YAP youth and their families to support post-secondary vocational or educational programming.

Since joining YAP in 1989, Patty has held several leadership roles within the agency. She assumed the role of Program Director of Philadelphia YAP in 1992, with oversight of North East Philadelphia’s Day Treatment program. She served as Regional Director of Philadelphia YAP for 13 years, was promoted to Associate Vice-President of Employee & Program Development, and joined the Southwest team as Vice President in 2010.

Di Ann Rucker

Regional Director - TX
drucker@yapinc.org
817.559.1586

Di Ann Rucker, Division Director for Santa Fe Youth Services joined Youth Advocate Programs in 2015 when the two agencies merged. As Division Director, Di Ann is responsible for managing Santa Fe Youth Services Prevention and Counseling contracts and securing new contracts both in and outside of Tarrant County. Her other duties include staff management, quality assurance, and community outreach. Prior to merging with YAP, DiAnn spent 29 years working with adolescents, which included being the Director of a Residential Treatment and Foster Care Program, while actively being a Foster Parent. In addition, she worked as an Abuse Risk Management Specialist providing assessments and training to child-servicing organizations to minimize the risk of sexual abuse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and intends to continue this work as long as possible.

Ann Branning

National Developmental Disabilities & Autism Training Coordinator
abranning@yapinc.org
717.413.2266

Ann Branning is the National Developmental Disabilities & Autism Training Coordinator for Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. Ann began work with YAP in 2001 in Lancaster county Pennsylvania as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant, focusing on serving individuals with autism.

Through her work with YAP and others, she worked closely with the consultants from Temple University to set the basis of YAP's autism training curriculum. She continues to support staff and train staff in autism and developmental disabilities. Ann holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Shippensburg University and an Maters in Social Work from Marywood University.

Lori Burrus

National Coordinator of Developmental Disabilities Programs
lburrus@yapinc.org
717.269.7969

Ms. Burrus has been working in various management positions in the developmental disability community for over 34 years. She has overseen licensed residential programs, life sharing and home and community services. In her time at YAP, she has developed programming for youth and adults with a disability funded through Medicaid waivers, mental health and employment systems. She attended Kutztown University and earned a degree in social welfare.

She loves her family and church family and a long term goal is to return to Southern Italy.

Shaneka Bynum

National Director of Employee Development
lburrus@yapinc.org

Shaneka attended Hollins University as a first-generation college student and majored in Women Studies. She started as a part-time advocate in 2009 in Roanoke, VA and grew with the agency over the years. She has held various leadership positions throughout her career, but her drive comes from her personal connection and passion of supporting youth and families involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare system. Shaneka has one son, Yaniv, and they reside in Durham, NC. She currently attends UNC-Wilmington in the Master's in Higher Education Administration program.

Jennifer Drake

National Director of Behavioral Health Services
jdrake@yapinc.org
973.670.7495

As the National Director of Behavioral Health Services at Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., Ms. Drake provides oversight of YAP’s behavioral health programs throughout the country. Ms. Drake worked at YAP as an advocate, outpatient therapist, and intensive in-home therapist before assuming the National Director role in 2013.

Ms. Drake has worked with youth in the mental health, juvenile justice and child welfare systems for over 15 years and has extensive training working with youth who have experienced child sexual abuse and other traumatic events. Ms. Drake has served as an expert witness for the State of New Jersey and has published articles in the Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences and the New Jersey Journal of Professional Counseling.

Ms. Drake graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2003. She holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude in 2013. Ms. Drake is a Licensed Professional Counselor and attorney in the State of New Jersey.

Naomi Frazier, Chief People Officer, oversees the administration of Worker's Compensation, Unemployment, Benefits, Recruitment and Retention, and Personnel Policy and Procedures. She also provides internal training to YAP Directors and Administrative Managers on various HR subjects. Naomi works very closely with all field offices and YAP leadership to provide support and guidance. She also works with several outside consultants to ensure the infrastructure of YAP’s HR Department. Since receiving her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, Naomi has taught several modules of the PHR manual.

Fred Fogg

National Director of Community-Based Safety Initiatives
ffogg@yapinc.org
973.454.3385

Coming Soon

Naomi Frazier

Chief People Officer
nfrazier@yapinc.org
717.232.7580 x1142

Naomi Frazier, Chief People Officer, oversees the administration of Worker's Compensation, Unemployment, Benefits, Recruitment and Retention, and Personnel Policy and Procedures. She also provides internal training to YAP Directors and Administrative Managers on various HR subjects. Naomi works very closely with all field offices and YAP leadership to provide support and guidance. She also works with several outside consultants to ensure the infrastructure of YAP’s HR Department. Since receiving her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, Naomi has taught several modules of the PHR manual.

Naomi joined YAP in 1995 as a Payroll Manager. When she and her family moved to Philadelphia in 2001, she transitioned her role with YAP and provided fiscal support to YAP’s Cost Reimbursement Department for one year. In Philadelphia, Naomi was employed by a for-profit nursing agency as a Senior Payroll Coordinator and was promoted to Human Resource Representative. She also attended Villanova University where she received Certificates in Human Resource Management and Professionalism in Human Resources in 2004. She was then promoted to Benefits Administrator. In 2005, Naomi and her family returned to the Harrisburg area where she rejoined YAP as the Director of Human Resources.

Her professional memberships include: the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Professionals of Central Pennsylvania. She is certified by the HR Certification Institute and as a Professional in Human Resources (2007) and received a BSM from the University of Phoenix in 2011.

Michael Garrigan

mgarrigan@yapinc.org
610.704.4620

Michael Garrigan has over 35 years of experience in social services. Mike joined YAP in 1992, serving first as Director and then Regional Director of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio. Currently Executive Vice President, he develops and supports programs in six states as a member of YAP’s Southeast leadership team.

Before joining the YAP team, Mike worked extensively with at-risk youth in Northeastern Pennsylvania. His professional history includes positions as Educational Coordinator, Foster Care Manager, Independent Living Coordinator and Job Coach. He has served on the Board of Directors of YAP, the CAASP Advisory Board, PA Council of Children's Services, Northampton County Partnership, Northampton/Lehigh Counties Community Network, and the PA Community Provider's Association. Mike graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Social Work, and engages in continuing education in the fields of education and business administration.

Mike was a member of YAP’s original board of directors, and now sits on the Health Insurance Committee, National and Regional Leadership Teams, and the Endowment Board. He is active in his community, serving as a youth mentor and coaching high school basketball and softball for 16 years.

Michele Gutshall

Chief Compliance Officer
mgutshall@yapinc.org
717.232.7580 x1409

Coming Soon

Cliff Kubiak

Chief Information Officer
ckubiak@yapinc.org
717.232.7580 x1209

Cliff Kubiak joined YAP in 1992 as Program Director of the Philadelphia In-Home Detention Program. In Philadelphia, he implemented the Pre Hearing Intensive Supervision Program which still serves youth and families. He was also instrumental in opening other programs for at-risk youth in some of the most difficult high schools in Philadelphia.

Cliff moved to YAP’s Support Center in Harrisburg to help design and implement the company's internal auditing department. In 1999 he was given the additional responsibility of supervising YAP’s Monitoring, Reception and Information Technology (IT) departments. He led the team that installed the Microsoft network and e-mail systems that form the foundation of YAP's communications system. His department has also worked closely with the HR and Fiscal departments to implement software which has improved their ability to perform their daily responsibilities and reporting.

In 2006, Cliff was appointed Chief Information Officer and was named to the Senior Management team. In addition to his daily duties, Cliff serves as a member of the Health Insurance Committee, YAP Autism board, Integrity Compliance and PQI committees, senior management and as an advisor to the COA implementation group. Cliff has also coached his children's sports teams and served as a volunteer firefighter. He holds an Associate’s degree in Computer Science Community College of Philadelphia, and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer--MCSE, LaSalle University, Business Management.

Diana Matteson

Director of International Programs & Development
dmatteson@yapinc.org
202.308.7508

Diana Matteson, Director of International Programs and Development for YAP, Inc., has over 20 years of experience in human services in direct practice, teaching and development. She holds a Masters in Art Therapy and a B.A. in Psychology from The George Washington University. Diana's graduate thesis focused on the role of art and storytelling in the grief process for young people living in street situations and adults living with HIV/AIDS. Diana served as a Peace Corps Volunteer and has devoted her career to social justice work.

Diana is bilingual - proficient in Spanish and English. She has represented YAP at international conferences and led educational workshops in nine different countries on clinical practice and effective interventions with marginalized youth and families. In her position as YAP Director of International Programs and Development, Diana coordinates training, technical assistance and consultation with YAP partners in Latin America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia and seeks new growth opportunities for YAP International. Committed to the value of VOICE and peer learning, Diana creates youth and professional exchanges for YAP youth and staff including leading youth delegations to international street soccer tournaments in Brazil and Argentina.

Ryanne Persinger

National Director of Communications
rpersinger@yapinc.org

Ryanne Persinger is a journalist with a broad range of communications experience. Prior to joining YAP in 2021, she was a marketing and communications coordinator at a technical college. She also worked in Harrisburg, Pa. as a media specialist for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic Caucus and taught mass communications at a small private liberal arts college in South Carolina. Ryanne’s work has appeared in newspapers in Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Visalia and Tulare, communities in her home state of California. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and earned her master’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University.

Carla Powell

Chief Growth & Development Officer
cpowell@yapinc.org
334.324.7510

Carla Powell serves as the Chief Growth & Development Officer for YAP. She leads a gifted fund development team that is working to expand the organization’s funding efforts.

Carla is a graduate of Auburn University and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, marketing and fund development. She began assisting YAP in the fall of 2007 as a marketing and fund development consultant and joined the organization full time two years later to lead private and corporate giving. Carla is an experienced federal, state and foundation grant professional.

Prior to joining YAP, she specialized in serving vulnerable and marginalized communities through her consulting firm where she raised millions of dollars for her clients at the local, state, national and international levels. She is a published author and speaker with articles appearing in state and national publications. Her book, Restorative Justice: A Ministry Resource Guide, calls the faith community to action. As a Regional Director for Prison Fellowship Ministries, Carla led efforts in nine states to develop and expand their crime victim assistance program. She served as the U.S. Communications Director of Hope Unlimited for Children, raising funds to rescue street children in Brazil, many of whom are justice system involved. Carla started her career as the Marketing and Consumer Information Director for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association which gave her an opportunity to work extensively with the media and support nonprofits as a corporate donor. This unique perspective, as well as experience serving on numerous nonprofit boards, and support of child advocacy issues, has bolstered her ability to increase funding for YAP.

Dana Stottlemyer

Chief of Operational Support Services
dstottlemyer@yapinc.org
717.232.7580 x1109

Dana Stottlemyer, joined YAP in 1988 as an Assistant Program Manager. In that position, her management experience, dedication, and understanding led to success in increasingly responsible positions. With opportunity to further develop her skills, she became a leader in the support of program services and agency. Throughout her YAP career, she has demonstrated devotion to her coworkers and to the agency’s mission, She has a clear understanding of the challenges faced by the communities YAP serves and works closely with staff in the field and at the YAP Support Center to develop creative solutions in a challenging and ever-changing work environment.