OUR STORY

Delisa Hamilton, Board Chair, is a retired Educational Services and Learning Center Manager for the Department of Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. She is the CEO of an organizational consulting firm, ProCore, and nationally board certified Community Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Education from George Washington University. With 40 years of Federal Government service, her professional experience includes serving as  a certified Leadership Training and Career Training Facilitator,  numerous process improvement projects as a licensed Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and leading teams and individuals to achieve their goals as a certified career coach.  Delisa is certified to administer parenting training and has worked with multiple families as a youth leader for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.   She has a deep passion for empowering children and offering support to their parents as she has established programs to facilitate youth leadership skills and effective communication techniques.   Delisa’s role as YEMF chair for the past 2+ years has allowed her an opportunity to serve on a variety of initiatives with a primary goal of supporting financial development efforts and establishing programs that make a powerful impact within the community.

Yolanda Lupton is the Vice President of the YEMF Board. She is a Certified Security Professional with 28 years of experience in the field. She is also a certified life coach, author and speaker. She brings expertise in IT, and loves mentoring and sharing her experiences to encourage children, young ladies and married couples from all walks of life. Yolanda has been a board member since 2023.

Casby F. Coffey, Treasurer, is a Business Financial Manager at NAVAIR with 31 years of experience in accounting. He brings expertise in accounting and finance and a deep commitment to helping children and their parents navigate the challenges life presents.  Casby currently assist with grant preparation and reporting and has been a board member since 2024.

Sylvia Royster, Board member, is the Executive Director of Educational Partnerships at the College of Southern Maryland with over 27 years of experience in K-12 and higher education leadership and school administration. She brings expertise in areas public school administration, local and state education policy, community engagement, legislative advocacy and a deep commitment to empower youth and families through skill building, mentorship programs, resources, and events. Sylvia currently serves on the Bylaws Committee and has been a board member since 2024.

Nikia D. Sylvester, Ph.D, Board Member, is a senior federal acquisition specialist with 20 years of experience. She brings expertise in product management, with concentration in leadership development and a deep commitment to adolescent leadership development and mentoring. Nikia currently serves on the community engagement subcommittee and has been a board member since 2025.

Kenyell Sims, Board Member and Administrative Assistant to the Foundation, is a United States Navy veteran with 25 years of distinguished experience in Information Technology and leadership. She offers a wealth of expertise in event planning, administration, and organizational strategy, coupled with a steadfast dedication to advancing the foundation’s mission. Kenyell currently serves on the Administrative Team and has been an active board member since 2025.