Our Story

About Youth

Business Alliance

Youth Business Alliance helps students discover their dreams and embrace their brilliance through real-world business experiences that build confidence, career opportunities and life-changing skills.

The YBA is currently in 20 schools, serving over 2,500 students! The YBA provides a year-long course covering soft skills, career readiness, financial literacy and business 101 through a series of guest speakers, in class curriculum and field trips.

Meet the Team

Board of Directors

Jack Friedman

Board President, StudySmart Tutors

Mark Stagen

Founder, YBA XLN (Executive Leadership Network)

Robert De Acevedo

Board Vice President, CTBC Bank Corp.

Jared Sheehan

Board Treasurer, PwrdBy

Blaire Zierke

Board Secretary, House of 1212

Russell Belinsky

LB Capital Advisors

Valerie Felix

Alliance Burton Tech High School (retired)

Binuri Fonseka

Manufacturers Bank

Eric Gutierrez

Preferred Bank

Marisa Keckeisen

ZGF Architects

Beth Sestanovich

System1

Mark Siegel

Epic Healthcare Staffing

Marques Williams

Cushman & Wakefield

Community Board

Kiran Chaggan

Sabio

Courtney Crockett

PwrdBy

Vaughn Dabney

Unoma Haus

Liz Haro

Fox

Joe Mata III

Mata Consulting LLC

Stephanie Owens

NBC Universal

YBA Team

Betsy Blanchard

Executive Director

betsy@youthbizalliance.org

Ethel Fimbres

Program Director

ethel@youthbizalliance.org

Camille Carrion

Business Development Associate

camille@youthbizalliance.org

Our Supporters

Thanks to our amazing sponsors and corporate partners – we could not do this without you!