Hildy Paris is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 36 years of executive experience, having served as Chief Operating Officer for North American Family Institute (NAFI), a human services agency operating more than 130 programs across 9 states. During her tenure, she chaired the NAFI Executive Team and played a key role in expanding and strengthening the organization’s impact through strategic leadership, program development, evidence-based implementation, and sound budgeting practices. Hildy recently joined the leadership of the Youth & Police Initiative, bringing her deep expertise in launching and sustaining effective community-based programs.

Mary Preston is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in non-profit support. Specialized in operations, particularly in project management from conception to successful completion, she has supported the development of a web presence for multi-site organizations and payment systems, capital fund campaigns, trainings, while marshalling public relations initiatives. Throughout much of her career, she has specialized in improving the lives of young people.


‍

Deb Yates joined NAFI over 25 years ago and quickly rose to become a director of youth programs in the mid-atlantic region. After taking the reins as NAFI’s Director of operations, she helped secure funding for the first YPI in 2003. Throughout the years, she has continued her involvement within YPI programs in the areas of training, fundraising and program development. In 2013, she was tasked to relaunch NAFI’s Southeast Region and now lives in Lakeland, Florida. She joined the YPI leadership team in 2019.

Denisha Tate McAlister brings over 20 years of experience in personal, professional and program development, strategic planning and resource management. She focuses on mentoring and supporting YPI trainers and driving program improvement and fidelity assurance to the model. Her rich and long history of providing professional development experiences and program training allows Senior Trainer Team to align with YPI's model.

Dr. Jim Isenberg has held numerous leadership positions in private industries as well as within social services organizations. A former Executive Director of the New York Region of NAFI, he co-founded YPI in 2003. He has extensive organizational and program implementation experience in the fields of juvenile justice, youth services, corrections, law enforcement, and conflict resolution.  He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven.  He has written a book, “Police Leadership in a Democracy…A Conversation with America’s Police Chiefs”.

Dr. Fischer is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is the co-director of the prestigious Vera Fellowship for social justice. She has 25-years experience in harm reduction and youth justice. Since 2015, she has been the principal independent researcher for YPI, focusing on the program's impact on youth and police. In 2020, her latest textbook, “The Case for Youth Police Initiative: Interdependent Fates and the Power of Peace,''  was published by Routledge to positive reviews.