Our Team
YES is governed by a diverse and dedicated volunteer board of directors, assisted by an esteemed honorary board of community leaders, and staffed by a team of highly skilled professionals who are joined in their commitment to make a difference in the lives of youth.
Our Staff
Kathy Du Vernet, Executive Director
Kathy has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and developing programs for youth. She has served as executive director for three successful nonprofits including one that was named an exemplary program by the U. S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Kathy has presented workshops at many state and national conferences including those sponsored by the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow and formerly served on its Board of Directors. Kathy is a graduate of the Fieldstone Foundation Executive Learning Group and a member of both the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa Chambers of Commerce. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the College of Charleston and a master’s degree in Counseling from the California State University at Fullerton. When not directing YES, Kathy can be found on her yoga mat, teaching and learning from her students.
Kathy on her first job: “I had two ‘first jobs’ at the same time starting at age 14. I was a stock clerk/cashier at my Dad’s pharmacy, and I was a dancer with the Charleston Ballet. I couldn’t believe that they (the Ballet, not my Dad) wanted to pay me for something that I loved doing so much!”
Sara Davis, Program Coordinator
Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the California State University at Fullerton. Prior to joining YES in 2006, she worked as a supervisor for Disneyland, where she managed over 30 youth employees.
Sara’s early employment experiences: “I started babysitting around my neighborhood when I was 12, but my first real job was when I was 16 years old. A friend worked as a telemarketer for a timeshare and asked if I wanted to work there. My parents tried to warn me about what the job entailed, but I didn’t care. It was a real job with a paycheck! I only lasted one week and realized at that point that I wasn’t a sales person.”
Emma Craig, Employment Counselor/Job Developer
Emma graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California in 2007 with a B.A. degree in Communications. Before joining YES in February 2010, Emma worked as a site leader in the Safe Schools After School Program for Access.
Emma’s first job experience: “My first real job was filing charts in an orthopedic surgeons office when I was 16. I think I made all the mistake there that I warn the students about now! It was a good learning experience.”
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