Facilitator Bios

New Leader Training Part 2 – Leah Boal & Danette Seffens

As Vice President of Operations, Leah Boal works to strengthen all things YVC! Outside of YVC, Leah enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and traveling.

Danette Seffens serves YVC as Affiliate Manager. Prior work experiences include Community Relations Manager for Olathe School District, Assistant Director for DeVry University, Strategy Leader for Middle East and North Africa peoples, and Peace Corps Volunteer. Danette has lived in South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. If you need to find her outside of work, ask her three boys, check the referees on the soccer pitch or the running trails.

Self Care for Caring Individuals – Rori Hernandez and Keisha Scott

Mrs. Rori Hernandez is an Extension Educator based in and working in the greater Tulsa and Eastern OK communities. She has been a passionate Human services advocate for over 15 years! Rori earned her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Langston University and went on to provide Therapy and Case Management Services. During the pursuit of her career, Rori fell in love with Agriculture! Rori’s Goal is to empower people to live the best quality of life possible! Rori engages in self-care by raising chickens and gardening.

Keisha Scott has worked for Langston University for nearly five years. Her current position is Family Consumer Sciences Educator. She has taught classes on food preservation, gardening, and creating seed banks. Her hobbies include canning, quilting, crocheting, and baking.

Asset vs. Deficit Views: Changing How We Think About Marginalized Groups – Quentin Francis

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Quentin is entering his second year as a Director of Youth Development at the Ann Arbor YMCA. After attaining his Masters from the University of Michigan in 2022, his focus has been on creating relevant growth and learning opportunities for all youth.

Service Through STEM: A School-Based Partnership – PJ Davis and Jeremy Wall

PJ Davis, former science teacher and school counselor in Newport News Public Schools, is the Director of Peninsula Programs for Hampton Roads. She was formerly the Director of STEM Programs from our inaugural year of Service Through STEM. PJ chronically fails at fostering senior dogs and ends up adopting them all!

Jeremy Wall, former Student Involvement Specialist for Newport News Public Schools, is currently Director of School Partnerships for YVC Hampton Roads. He also founded JW Photography and enjoys taking photos of YVC projects, community events, and his two adorable children (one of whom is here at Summit!).

Creating Restorative Learning Environments for Youth – Heather Canizales & Xavier Graves

Xavier Graves is driven by the values of authenticity, humanity, and relationships. As the executive director of the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma, he is committed to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and fighting against the culture of punishment. He is excited to provide RJIOK’s unique framework to not just our education and the criminal legal systems but to all areas of our society in which we exist. Xavier is pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at OU-Tulsa and co-chairs an initiative with Tulsa’s My Brother’s Keeper to disrupt the overuse of suspensions. He is also an Albert Schweizer fellow at McLain High School where he is piloting a project to center the voices of students who recently expressed a threat to their school safety in order to support students uplifting their voices and power to make systemic change. When he is not working in the community he is using restorative justice at home to be a better father to three beautiful and complex children.

Heather Canizales is the Restorative Justice Coordinator for the Canadian County Children’s Justice Center. While she is new in this role, she has instinctively gravitated to the principles and values of restorative justice throughout her adult life. Heather has worked in schools in Illinois, as an AmeriCorp VISTA service member, at numerous non-profits, and as a county juvenile probation officer. She loves walking alongside youth, families, and the community as they challenge generational/systemic barriers while creating the life they envision and in doing so, empowering those around them. Heather also enjoys a good book, being in nature, music, and going on adventures with her husband, young children, and their foster dogs.

Navigating the Impact of Trauma on Youth – Shawntel Shirkey

Shawntel is the Program Director for YVC Wichita and a graduate student working toward her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She is passionate about understanding the brain and nervous system and how they influence our experience of the world. Shawntel has 10+ years of experience working with kids and teens. You can find her singing, baking cookies, or walking along the river in her free time.

Fundraising  – Tracy Hale

Tracy is YVC’s CEO. In addition to her many leadership responsibilities, she works with Michael to raise funds to keep the whole operation going. Her four loves are her family, YVC, elephants, and Cherry Coke Zero.

The Ladder of Youth Voice and Authentic Youth Adult Partnership – Hannah Jarman & Rachel Humphrey

Hannah Jarman is a Program Director with Tulsa Changemakers. As a former elementary and middle school teacher, Hannah loves learning, facilitation, and high-energy environments. The odds that she makes you walk around the room during a session are high!

Rachel Humphrey is a Program Manager with Tulsa Changemakers. For ten years in her elementary school classroom, Rachel put an emphasis on student voice, building community, and collaboration. She is passionate about empowering youth to find and use their voices to impact their communities.

Level Up Your Marketing: A Game-Changer Workshop – Betsy Calmer

Betsy is uniquely wired to see copywriting as more than words; she cares about the data showing how effectively those words motivate someone to take action. She’s passionate about planning engaging content strategies for a diverse, global audience that engages with YVC through mediums like email, blogs, and social media, intending to build engagement and grow the audience. Based at YVC Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, Betsy is originally from Jefferson City, Missouri, where she spent most of her marketing and communications career in the non-profit sector. Betsy loves reality TV, an energetic whiteboarding session, and has bold opinions about movies, food, and true crime documentaries. Be sure to ask her who her neighbor is!

Discover, Inspire, and Craft: Your Personal Impact Journey – Ryan and Thomas Growney

Ryan & Thomas Growney are twins who grew up in New York City and are high school seniors at St. George’s School in Middletown, RI. They are avid surfers, clean water activists, passionate youth advocates, and Co-founders of Service Academy, a network of youth empowerment resources for social impact engagement.

The Ally Workshop – Adult Workshop – YVC Reading Youth: Samantha Martinez, Kemi Ojukutu, Sindura Sridhar, Vanesa Aguay, Mia Worley, Cadence Perez, Dana Gahuancela, Athea Worley

Samantha Martinez – Junior at Wilson High School, original co-founder of STAR initiative, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-facilitator for STAR summer preschool story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, member YVC Reading YAB.

Kemi Ojukutu – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, facilitator of monthly virtual STAR film discussions, Advisory Board Member of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

Sindura Sridhar – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-host for Season 2 of the The Powerful Youth Perspective STAR podcast, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, member YVC Reading YAB and returning member of IYAB.

Vanesa Aguay – Senior at Wyomissing High School, leader of Wyomissing High School STAR club, co-host for Season 2 of the The Powerful Youth Perspective STAR podcast, member YVC Reading YAB, and new member of IYAB.

Mia Worley – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program, and member YVC Reading YAB.

Cadence Perez – Junior at Muhlenberg High School, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, and member YVC Reading YAB.

Dana Gahuancela – Junior at Muhlenberg High School and member YVC Reading YAB.

Athena Worley – Freshman at Wilson High School and co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program.”

Coalition Building – Julie Ledbetter

Julie Watson-Ledbetter is a development director in the nonprofit sector and a lifelong volunteer passionate about giving back to the community. She serves on several organization boards and is currently on the YVC Adult Advisory for the Muskogee Affiliate.

Strategic Focus Area Roundtable – Cathi Duchon

Cathi Duchon is the Immediate Past Board Chair for YVC and has served on the Board since 2013. Cathi served the YMCA for 43 and was the CEO of the Ann Arbor YMCA. Cathi received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and holds an MBA from the University of Houston. Cathi currently volunteers for YVC, YUSA, Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, ACS/UM Softball Academy, and sits on the Ann Arbor Community Foundation board of trustees. Cathi is married to Reid Thebault, and they reside in Ann Arbor, MI. Their son, Reis, is a YVC alum and is currently the West Coast Correspondent for the Washington Post.

Supporting Youth with Disabilities – Michael Van Walleghem

Before joining the team at YVCHQ, Michael worked for 8 years as a Special Education instructor in the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District, helping young people use their strengths to overcome challenges. When he’s not doing the dishes or wiping up the messes left by his young children, he tries to spend his free time learning new things.

Highlighting Volunteer Work on Resumes and in Interviews – Kelli Collins

Kelli Collins is the Assistant Director for Career Readiness and Experiential Learning at The University of Tulsa’s CaneCareers office. Kelli encourages students to expand their horizons beyond the classroom by connecting them to internships, projects, and volunteer opportunities. As the program manager for the CaneCareers Job Placement Guarantee, she directs a professional development initiative designed for undergraduate students to help them become career-ready upon graduation. Kelli is passionate about helping students unlock their full potential in the professional world.

Maximizing Your Volunteer Experience – Tiffany Williams

Dr. Tiffany Williams is the Family and Consumer Sciences Program Leader for Langston University’s Cooperative Extension Service. She earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation, a Master’s Degree in Food and Nutritional Science, a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, and is a Registered Dietitian. Dr. Williams’ most notable volunteer experience was spending a year as a volunteer teacher at the Wiawso College of Education in Sefwi Wiawso, Ghana, where she taught in the Department of Science. She has also served in several volunteer roles over the past ten years.

Preserve Your Superpower: Protecting Mental Health for Lasting Volunteers – Danyelle Kuss

Danyelle Kuss is the Youth Mental Health Specialist for the Oklahoma State University Extension Service. She earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she learned how to provide therapeutic services to families. Danyelle safeguards her own mental health by playing Dungeons and Dragons, taking her new puppy on walks, and practicing yoga.

Check It Out – Evelyn Sandoval

Evelyn Sandoval is a dedicated professional, excelling as a mortgage lender in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at Arvest Bank. Her expertise helps people secure their dream homes. She can be found in her downtown office when she is not out and about, educating on the importance of saving, investing, and staying financially savvy!

Healthy Eating Healthy Living – Joshua Todd and Melvin Williams

Mr. Melvin Williams is a graduate of Langston University. He currently serves as an FCS Extension Educator for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. He has taught numerous nutrition courses with youth and adults across Oklahoma. In his role, he teaches audiences how to eat healthy on a budget, be more physically active, prepare food safely, and eat balanced meals.

Joshua Todd earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Management 2015 from the University of Central Oklahoma. Later that year, he began his position at Langston University as a Nutrition Education Assistant for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. While at Langston, he taught classes in various counties throughout Oklahoma to participants of all ages. He looks forward to making a positive impact each day by directly influencing challenges such as food insecurity, which often impedes the health and wellness of the people in our community.

Money Matters – Tracy Hale and Michael Van Walleghemc

Tracy is YVC’s CEO. In addition to her many leadership responsibilities, she works with Michael to raise funds to keep the whole operation going. Her four loves are her family, YVC, elephants, and Cherry Coke Zero.

The Ally Workshop – Adult Workshop – YVC Reading Youth: Samantha Martinez, Kemi Ojukutu, Sindura Sridhar, Vanesa Aguay, Mia Worley, Cadence Perez, Dana Gahuancela, Athea Worley

Samantha Martinez – Junior at Wilson High School, original co-founder of STAR initiative, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-facilitator for STAR summer preschool story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, member YVC Reading YAB.

Kemi Ojukutu – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, facilitator of monthly virtual STAR film discussions, Advisory Board Member of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

Sindura Sridhar – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-host for Season 2 of the The Powerful Youth Perspective STAR podcast, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, member YVC Reading YAB and returning member of IYAB.

Vanesa Aguay – Senior at Wyomissing High School, leader of Wyomissing High School STAR club, co-host for Season 2 of the The Powerful Youth Perspective STAR podcast, member YVC Reading YAB, and new member of IYAB.

Mia Worley – Junior at Wilson High School, co-leader of Wilson High School STAR club, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program, and member YVC Reading YAB.

Cadence Perez – Junior at Muhlenberg High School, co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program and STAR elementary school playground program, and member YVC Reading YAB.

Dana Gahuancela – Junior at Muhlenberg High School and member YVC Reading YAB.

Athena Worley – Freshman at Wilson High School and co-facilitator for STAR preschool summer story time program.”

Discover, Inspire, and Craft: Your Personal Impact Journey – Ryan and Thomas Growney

Ryan & Thomas Growney are twins who grew up in New York City and are high school seniors at St. George’s School in Middletown, RI. They are avid surfers, clean water activists, passionate youth advocates, and Co-founders of Service Academy, a network of youth empowerment resources for social impact engagement.

You, YVC, and Mental Health Impact – Shawntel Shirkey

Shawntel is the Program Director for YVC Wichita and a graduate student working toward her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She is passionate about understanding the brain and nervous system and how they influence our experience of the world. Shawntel has 10+ years of experience working with kids and teens. You can find her singing, baking cookies, or walking along the river in her free time.

Unlocking Global Collaboration: Bridging Miles through Art and Technology – Misty Coyle & Domini Nkuubi

Nkuubi Dominic Savio is a passionate youth leader with over five years of working with youths in his community. He began his volunteering journey in 2018 with an organization called 40 Days over 40 Smiles Foundation working with children in the slums of Kampala teaching them literacy skills. He later started Akili Pana Initiative, a skills training community organization in Kampala, where he served as a team leader. Dominic serves as a co-facilitator for the Community Engagement Fellows Africa, a six-week fellowship program that brings together community leaders across Africa to share experiences and opportunities for personal and community transformation. He was part of the Community Engagement Exchange Program inaugural cohort in the USA that brings together youth leaders from all over the world for a three-month transformation fellowship through which he joined YVC, where he currently serves as a Program Director for YVC Kampala. He enjoys traveling and trying out new foods His dream is to become an influential community leader to address Uganda’s needs, mainly youth unemployment and poverty, through mindset change.

Misty Coyle, St. Joseph Program Director, brings over two decades of experience as a dedicated Girl Scout leader, fostering the growth and development of young minds. During her three-year tenure as a youth employment case manager at Youth Alliance, she was recognized for her leadership skills and passion for mentoring. This led to her appointment as the Director of Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC), where she continues to combine a love for the outdoors, all things STEAM, and enthusiasm for working with middle school-aged youth. Training and empowering young people is not just a job, it’s her passion.