Desiree "Des" Armas is a researcher and consultant who utilizes her lived and learned expertise to advocate for the wellbeingof young people, especially transition aged youth with multi-marginalized identities. She received her B.A. in Anthropology and is based in Newark, NJ and is a cat mom.

Olivia Joyal Bernard (she/they) is an Afro-Caribbean/Afro-Latino native New Yorker. She is a Community Wellness Champion at the Working the Gap Initiative at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. Through this program, she works as a Group Leader at the Cypress Hills Location Development Corporation.

Siara Chowdhury is a student at Barnard College studying Computer Science and Human Rights with a minor in Economics. She is passionate about youth development and using data to drive impact. She is excited to share insights on how young staff can shape meaningful change in youth programs.

Dr. Jen Siaca Curry, Ed.D. founded Change Impact in 2017, which has since trained 50,000 youth-serving professionals and raised $240 million for schools and nonprofits. Change Impact developed Change Up Learning to support anytime, anywhere training grounded in adult learning principles and positive youth development. Previously, Jen was the inaugural NYC Director of Samaschool, an innovative workforce development program, and COO of ExpandED Schools, an out-of-school time intermediary. She is an adjunct professor of Youth Studies at CUNY and a member of the 21st CCLC National Technical Assistance Advisory Group. Jen is a first-generation college graduate, also earning a masters and doctorate from NYU. She was named a 2018 NYS Rising Latino Star and NYU’s 2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Awardee.

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Logan Ferguson is a Digital Marketing Specialist at the YMCA of San Diego County and a young researcher with Hello Insight, where she’s currently exploring how Positive Youth Development (PYD) impacts young staff. With over seven years of experience at the YMCA, starting as a gymnastics coach and working her way up, Logan has a deep understanding of youth development programs. She holds a B.S. in Business Marketing and a minor in Communications from San Diego State University, where she developed strong communication and leadership skills. Logan is passionate about helping others and leveraging her research to create strategies that foster personal growth and community engagement.

For twenty-five years, Marc Fernandes (he/him) has been deeply involved in the organizational, programmatic, policy, and advocacy sides of youth development and community engagement efforts across sectors. He has provided extensive management, training, and consultation to government jurisdictions, school districts, and nonprofit organizations. Marc joined Youth INC in 2019, a non-profit capacity builder for NYC-based youth development organizations. In his role as Director of Impact Evaluation, Marc provides thought partnership to Youth INC leadership, staff, and non-profit partners (NPPs) on youth development theory at the intersections of racial equity, culturally sustaining pedagogy, impact evaluation, and program and organizational change. Marc also co-created and facilitated Elevating Youth Development, a national community-centered series on race, DEI, and mental health across the nonprofit sector. Outside of Youth INC, Marc sits on the Board of Governors for The Evergreen State College Foundation, is a member of The Door Advisory Committee, a member of the New York State Network for Youth Success Advisory Council, and a longtime leader and organizer with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ). He is also a strong ally and advocate for the Tourette Syndrome community. He lives in Queens, NY with his wife Ivette, their children Luca and Johan, and their dog Izzy.

Kim Sabo Flores has dedicated her career to making research and evaluation accessible, actionable, and empowering. With a background in developmental and environmental psychology, she has introduced thousands of young people, practitioners, and communities to the transformative power of reflection and evaluation. As the creator of Hello Insight (HI), an innovative online platform, she has made evaluation affordable and inclusive, enabling over 6,000 programs across the U.S. and globally to measure and enhance their impact on social-emotional learning. A thought leader in youth-led evaluation, Dr. Flores has authored multiple publications and founded the American Evaluation Association’s Youth-Focused Evaluation group.

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Niara Frankson, aka Nee, is a Caribbean-American student and researcher from NYC. They attend SUNY at Purchase College in Westchester, NY, for anthropology, and theirinterests are youth studies, gender and sexuality, race, labor, and revolution. Nee has researched and operated as a consultant for projects focused on black girlhood, wellness and well-being, (YPAR) youth participatory action research, and positive youth development.

Jason Holguin is a Young Researcher with Hello Insight. With extensive work experience supervising young staff and playing sports at a young age, both aspects Influence his knowledge and understanding of Positive Youth Development as a key component in youth development. 

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Commissioner Howard has dedicated 30 years of his professional career to public service and has held various senior-level positions in the New York City government. He was appointed Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) by Mayor Eric Adams in June 2022. He formerly served as NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Associate Deputy Commissioner of the Sidewalk Inspection Management Division. He was also an Adjunct Professor at Queens College and the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies.

Yagersys Laya, better known as Laya is a student at Brooklyn College studying Philosophy and Art History. She's been working with youth programs at Beam Center for over two years, where shehas acquireda variety of skills and experience that inspired her to continue working in similar programs and keep supporting youthdevelopment across the city.

East Luna is a cultural architect, artist, and healer. She has built safe spaces for marginalized people since 2015. East is a proud drop out of Columbia University, 2020 David Prize finalist, co-founder of Teens Take Charge, Associate Director of New York City Civil Rights History Project in Partnership with Teachers College, founder of CREATE, Core Team Member of the Black Trans Liberation Movement and proud Restorative Practice Fellow.

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Andrea Nikté Juárez Mendoza (she/her/ella) is a New York City-based Guatemalan scholar-activist, artist, and organizer hailing from San Francisco, California. A Ph.D. Candidate at the City University of New York, Graduate Center, Andrea's academic journey is marked by a commitment to community-driven change grounded in participatory theory, justice, and healing. She is deeply dedicated to uplifting the unique experiences and centering the voices of immigrant communities. With a focus on decolonial and community feminisms, Andrea's research delves into critical issues in immigration, with a focus on oral histories, archiving, family separation, and documenting immigrant life stories, at the intersections of social movements with legal and community-led mutual aid networks across the United States. Andrea's professional trajectory includes roles as an interpreter in detention centers with the Feerick Center for Social Justice and the CARA project, as well as consultant researcher with institutions such as the APA, Vera Center for Justice, Equal Justice Works, Aspen Institute, CUNY, and the Public Science Project. She has contributed to local, statewide, and national projects aimed at documenting and archiving immigration experiences. In her capacity as a consultant, Andrea extends her expertise into the public sphere by designing and leading workshops and training. Her collaborative learning experiences span diverse audiences, including immigration lawyers, university faculty, national institutes, non-profit agencies, and local governments. These sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from healing-centered lawyering to the intricate landscape of immigration, oral-history for justice, and innovative research methodologies. Andrea's consultancy work exemplifies her commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and advancing transformative practices in various spheres of social and legal advocacy.

Wesner Pierre is a positive change-maker, having worked in the social purpose sector for over a dozen years; his impact on youth, families, and the community is undeniable. As CEO of Partnership with Children, he utilizes passion, creativity, and innovation to lead the storied 117-year-old organization serving 22,000 youth and families in 47 schools across New York City, strengthening children's emotional, social, and cognitive skills to succeed in school, society, and life. As a native New Yorker who grew up in the underserved inner-city community of South Jamaica Queens, he began his successful career by working in and giving back to that very same community.  

Wesner started his work in education and youth development as a Community Center Director. Then, as Vice President at CAMBA, he demonstrated his passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to youth, families, and community development. He grew the community center program's reach from 3,100 youth and families served to over 13,500 served annually. While an Executive at the Harlem Children's Zone, Wesner oversaw all the organization's pipeline programs serving 28,000 youth and families, including Social Services, Family and Support Services, Parent, Community, and Health Programs, After-School and Higher Education, and Career Support work.    

New York City Mayor Adams appointed Wesner to serve in the City's first-ever Nonprofit Advisory Council, where he serves as the Research & Policy Committee co-chair. He is an honoree of Crain's Notable Black Leaders of 2024 and of the 2024 Schneps Manhattan Power List; he is also a recipient of the 2024 City & State Nonprofit Trailblazer Award. Wesner is an adjunct professor teaching in the Master's Program in Youth Studies at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, where he is also a founding Board member. Wesner is an author of educational texts, active in the ongoing work of leadership development, he is an Aspen Fellow, an alumnus of the American Express Leadership Academy, a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, a member of the Greater New York class of 2025, twice published in Forbes, and is a PASEsetter award winner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the City College and a Master of Arts degree from Queens College of The City University of New York.

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Karen Pittman is a sociologist, prolific writer and sought-after public speaker. Her passion is synthesizing research, policy, and practice resources about where, when, how, and why learning and development happens to augment K-12 and community educators’ excitement and commitment to strengthening the learning ecosystem with knowledge from the youth development fields. She is the co-founder of the Forum for Youth Investment with Merita Irby and served as CEO until 2021 when she stepped down to become a founding partner of Knowledge to Power Catalysts, a nimble consulting firm. She is co-author and co-editor of 5 books and author of dozens of articles, sits on multiple boards and advisory boards, and is an AIR Scholar at the American Institutes for Research.

Knowledge to Power Catalysts

In 2021, Karen and Merita launched a small consulting firm – Knowledge to Power Catalysts – with managing partner Katherine Plog Martinez. Together they work to amplify ideas, advise initiatives, and align partners to accelerate change. In addition to consulting and advising, the three partners co-created a major cross-fields alignment effort – Centering Youth Thriving – that engages leaders of major education and youth development networks, alliances and campaigns working to improve systems and conditions for children and youth. 

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Ian Reynoso is a dedicated theater artist and youth mentor from the Dominican Republic. With a lifelong passion for acting and the arts, Ian began his journey performing in productions like Yahveh Jireh in 2013. In 2017, he moved to New York City to pursue greater opportunities in the creative field, overcoming the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language with perseverance and determination.

Now based in the Bronx, Ian combines his artistic expertise with his commitment to youth development. As a bilingual teaching artist and certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor, he has mentored young people in theater, set design, and life skills through organizations like Opening Act and Camp Young Judaea. Ian’s work emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and building pathways to thriving careers, inspiring the next generation to achieve their full potential.

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Gina Warner was named President and CEO of the National AfterSchool Association in June 2012. NAA - the voice of the afterschool profession – has over 30,000 members across the country and hosts the most comprehensive program of professional development opportunities for afterschool professionals anywhere in the United States. In her role Warner has introduced a number of innovations to the organization, including the first nationally-recognized credentialing platform for afterschool professionals, an Afterschool Digital Learning toolkit created in partnership with Google, and two national leadership initiatives focused on emerging leaders in the afterschool field. She has also worked to broaden and expand the reach of NAA, diversifying its partnership through the creation of a Corporate Advisory Board and the International Learning Exchange Program.

Prior to her time at NAA, Warner served as the Executive Director of the Partnership for Youth Development in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she helped existing and new after school programs as they sought to serve children and families in post-Katrina New Orleans. She is also a former public school teacher and U.S. Senate staffer.

Warner is a 1990 graduate of the University of South Alabama and a 1995 graduate of Loyola Law School. She and her family live in the DC area.

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Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt retired as vice president of the Fund for the City of New York after serving over two decades assisting youth development agencies. He is the founder of Strategic Destiny: Designing Futures Through Faith and Facts. Strategic Destiny seeks to find common language and opportunities for collaboration between socially engaged practitioners motivated by faith and secular practitioners motivated by evidence-based learning.

He has mentored young people in foster care, juvenile detention facilities, and adults in and out of prison; as well as leaders in the public and private sectors, youth-serving organizations, the faith community, foundations, government, and mentees receiving their Ph.D.

Dr. Wyatt serves as an adviser and consultant to government, colleges, civic groups, community-based organizations, public and charter schools, education intermediaries, foundations, and the broader faith community. Dr. Wyatt attended Howard University, Columbia Teachers College (course work), The Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, and Columbia Business School’s Institute for Nonprofit Management, and New York Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. Wyatt is a founding Board member of Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy and served two years as Chair of The 21st Century Foundation, now powered by Tides. He is one of the founding members of the Interfaith Center of New York. Dr. Wyatt is founder and advisory board member of The Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM) housed in the New School for Social Research where he serves as a Visiting Fellow; and The Credible Messenger Institute (CMI) at the CUNY Graduate Center. CMI and ITM address personal trauma caused by pre/post incarceration while concomitantly preparing credible messengers to work with court-adjudicated youth and young adults in the role of mentor, counselor, and advocate. He is also a Board member of the Osborne Association. His latest book is Beware The Mind Hustler: Identifying Self-Destructive Thoughts And Distractions.

Rev. Dr. Wyatt is a published author, a public theologian, and an ordained Elder on the ministerial staff of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York.

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Sarah Zeller-Berkman, PhD is Academic Director of the Youth Studies Program which includes a BA, MA and Advanced Certificate in Youth Studies which she developed and runs as a Distinguished Lecture.  Sarah is also a founding member and director of multiple grant funded programs included a longitudinal, critical, participatory action research project called ‘The Intergenerational Change Initiative (ICI)’ and a paid gap year program for 18-24 year-olds that supports youth and community wellbeing called ‘Working the Gap’.

Prior to joining CUNY SPS, Dr. Zeller-Berkman worked on various initiatives for city government, foundations and non-profits including Mozilla Foundation, the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline and the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives.  For seven years she was a director at The Youth Development Institute (YDI) where she led the Community-Youth Development Unit.  She was a fellow at La Guardia Community College and taught in the Children and Youth Studies Department at Brooklyn College.  She is a founding member of the Public Science Project at the CUNY, Graduate Center and continues to deeply value this community of critical participatory action researchers. 

Dr. Zeller-Berkman holds a BA from Emory University and a Doctorate from CUNY Graduate Center’s Social Personality Psychology Program.  She has spent the last 25 years as a practitioner, researcher, evaluator, capacity-builder, professor and scholar in the field of youth and community development/critical youth development. She has worked in partnership with young people on participatory action research projects about issues that impact their lives such as sexual harassment in schools, incarceration, parental incarceration, economic mobility, housing and high-stakes testing.  She has published in the Encyclopedia of Adolescence, Current Issues in Out-of-School Time, SAGE Encyclopedia of Out-of-School Learning, Harvard Educational Review, Community, Youth, and Environment, and The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research.  She is a proud board member of the National AfterSchool Association.  She is a mama to two wonderful beings.  Lastly, she is delighted to be a member of the Collaborative for Advancing Youth Development and having the opportunity to cohost this event with incredible colleagues. 

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