John Bell
Vice President for Leadership Development and the Academy for Transformation
John Bell has 33 years of experience in the youth field as a teacher, counselor, community organizer, program developer, leadership trainer, director, and parent of three. He was a founding staff member of three youth organizations: Youth Action Program (in 1978) in East Harlem, the originator of YouthBuild, Children of War (in 1984), an international youth leadership organization; and of YouthBuild USA (in 1988). Bell is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in the areas of youth leadership development, peer counseling and healing, and diversity. He has done training and consulting work for the Peace Corps in Africa and South America. He is the author of numerous published articles and handbooks on youth leadership. He is a passionate advocate for including young people as partners in community development.
Kiarash Afcari
Director
YouthBuild Academy for Transformation
Kiarash is a trainer, facilitator, and organizational development practitioner focused on youth development. He has done work with grassroots non-governmental organizations in Ghana and with AmeriCorps programs in the United States. Kiarash has a keen interest in arts programming, diversity and anti-oppression work, and digital divide programs. He uses Theater of the Oppressed methods, and is experimenting with Open Space Technology in his work with youth and staff of youth programs. He is a past YouthBuild Western Regional Director of YouthBuild USA, a national youth development organization that provides support to YouthBuild programs across the country. He is currently the Director of the YouthBuild Academy for Transformation which provides the tools, concepts, insights, and skills needed to accelerate youth transformation.
Michelle Quinn-Davidson
Associate Director
YouthBuild Academy for Transformation
Michelle Quinn-Davidson brings an extensive background in nonprofit management. She possesses a master’s degree in public administration specializing in nonprofit management from New York University. Prior to Wagner, Michelle was program assistant for the Big Sister Association of Boston. During her Wagner studies, Michelle held positions at the Stern School of Business at NYU and the Wagner’s Center for Health and Public Service Research. She also created a tutor/mentor project for young people in the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services program and in her Capstone worked with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to diversify their funding streams. After graduating from Wagner, Michelle became the managing director of Youth on Board, a small grassroots organization that helps revolutionize the role of young people in society. Currently, Michelle is the Academy Associate Director for YouthBuild USA in Somerville, MA where she manages the operations of the Academy for Transformation, bringing youth development practitioners together to better help young people transform their lives. She enjoys yoga, reading, movies, music, and spending time with her family which include two kittens – Gimli and Eowyn.
Liz Reilly
Event Coordinator
YouthBuild Academy for Transformation
Liz Reilly has been with YouthBuild USA for 10 years and is one of two Event Coordinators in the YouthBuild Academy for Transformation. Meeting new people at conferences and learning about the different Youth Build programs is what keeps her at YouthBuild. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, movies, craftmaking, gardening, and exploring life with her 3-year old daughter.
Joshua Slobig
Event Coordinator
YouthBuild Academy for Transformation
Since 2002 Joshua has served as an Event Coordinator with the YouthBuild Academy for Transformation. Before joining YouthBuild USA, he had more than ten years experience in restaurant, hotel and event management, technology and logistical planning. He is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) through the Convention Industry Council, and is based out of North Hollywood, California.
|
