Mark Allen serves as vice chairman of the Youth Villages board of directors. He retired as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary and was responsible for directing the international and domestic legal, security and government affairs for the FedEx Corporation and its subsidiaries in September of 2024.
Jes Averhart is CEO of Jes & Co. and creator of Reinvention Roadmap. Averhart is a fourth-generation entrepreneur focused on leadership development and women’s empowerment.
Mike Bruns serves as chairman of the Youth Villages board of directors. He previously served in the role from 1997-2001 and 2005-2013, a period of great growth and expansion for the organization.
Fred Burns, a Mississippi native, is a seasoned professional and entrepreneur with a prosperous career in the technology sector. Since graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Jackson State University in 2014, Fred has cultivated a diverse and impactful software development and leadership career.
Tyrone Burroughs is a visionary entrepreneur, business strategist, and philanthropist with over three decades of experience in retail distribution, sales, marketing, and business development.
Amy Crate has been building and marketing brands for three decades. She began her career in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi, BBDO, and DDB Worldwide.
Jamere Jackson is the Chief Financial Officer AutoZone, a multi-billion dollar retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Jamere joined AutoZone on September 14, 2020 and became the first African-American CFO in the company’s 41 year history.
Gerald Laurain serves as Treasurer of the Youth Villages board of directors and Chairman of their Investment Committee.
Elizabeth is a co-founder and partner of Caiola & Rose LLC. She serves as national counsel for franchisors, commercial landlords and digital service providers…
Gary Shorb has served as Executive Director of The Urban Child Institute since 2017. Shorb retired from Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare where he served as CEO for 15 years.