 John Bell
Vice President for Leadership Development and the Academy for Transformation
John Bell has 43 years of experience in the youth field as a teacher, counselor, community organizer, program developer, leadership trainer, director, and parent. 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 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 and diversity. He is a steadfast advocate for partnering with young people as leaders in community development and social justice work.
 Michelle Quinn-Davidson, M.P.A.,
Director, Academy for Transformation
Michelle Quinn-Davidson, M.P.A., brings an extensive background in nonprofit management to both public and private work. She holds a Masters of Public Administration and in public and nonprofit management and policy from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Emerson College.
She has worked professionally at the Big Sister Association of Boston, the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, and Youth on Board. For the past seven years, she has served in the YouthBuild Academy for Transformation. One of the key projects she manages is the “YouthBuild USA Developing Healthy Relationships Initiative” sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to build the capacity of YouthBuild programs to deliver healthy relationship skills to program youth age 16-24 that will provide them with the resources they need to form and sustain healthy intimate and co-parenting relationships while leveraging the existing components of the YouthBuild program that increase job opportunities, education, economic success and community investment.
She has worked with more than 300 YouthBuild programs and thousands of youth practitioners. Internationally, she has led teams of youth and staff at the 1st International Youthbuilding Congress in London, England and the 2nd Youth Employment Summit in Veracruz, Mexico. As a trainer and facilitator, Michelle specializes in youth leadership, team-building, and building counseling skills for young people.
She volunteers her time fundraising for nonprofits such as Operation Smile, the March of Dimes, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Michelle loves swimming, reading, movies, music, travel, and spending time with my family - including husband, Bill, cats, Gimli and Eowyn, and her joyful blind dog, Jobe-Bear.
 Jamie Ramola
Associate Director, Academy for Transformation
Jamie Ramola has worn many hats as an advocate, youth educator, event coordinator, teacher and training director. As an English teacher in Seoul, Korea, she developed ESOL curricula for children ages 4-12. Following her work abroad, Jamie worked at the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis, MN, managing a GLBT inclusive peer education program for youth while also serving on the board of directors of the MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Asian Women United. In addition to her work with youth and survivors, Jamie has planned and coordinated statewide events at the California Distance Learning Health Network. She has also directed an immigrant empowerment program called Leadership to Improve Neighborhood Communications and Services in Allston, MA.
In 2006, Jamie joined the Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence in Boston, directing youth prevention, adult education and outreach programs including the Multicultural Immigrant Coalition Against Violence. During her tenure at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, she provided culturally sensitive domestic and sexual violence training for statewide certification of SAFEPLAN and SANE advocates. Currently, Jamie is the Associate Director of the Academy for Transformation which provides the tools, concepts, insights, and skills needed to accelerate youth transformation. She volunteers her time as an undoing racism facilitator for the Sticky Rice Project and is an active member of the Boston Korean Adoptees.
 Liz Reilly
Event Coordinator, Academy for Transformation
Liz Reilly has been with YouthBuild USA since 1993, starting out as a Secretary/Administrative Assistant in the Leadership Development Department. She has worked on events in every department of YouthBuild including Americorps, Technical Assistance, Education, and Graduate Leadership and Development, the Affiliated Network, and beyond.
Currently Liz has been the Event Coordinator in the Training Department- also know as the Academy for Transformation - for over 11 years. Traveling around the country, meeting people at conferences, and working alongside dedicated (and fun!) staff in the Somerville office is what keeps her at YouthBuild. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, watching movies, and exploring the beaches of Cape Cod. Her finely-tuned organizing and logistics skills are often called upon by friends and family—including husband Jeff, and children Leah, Eric and Allie.
 Sarah Tormey
Academy Administrative Coordinator, Academy for Transformation
Sarah Tormey has been with YouthBuild USA since 2005. Her first two years were spent working for the Criminal Justice Initiative, on the Department of Labor Re-Entry grant, with the previous experience of working for the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Since that grant ended, she has been with the Academy for Transformation as the Administrative Coordinator. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in English degree from Bridgewater State College and is certified to teach English from grades 5-12. She enjoys spending time with husband John and son Kieran, and tries to fit in as much cooking and reading as she can in her spare time.
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