Volunteers

My name is Anita Gilkey and I am a native of Springfield, Ohio. I’ve lived in the Dayton area for the last 22 years. I’ve worked at Wren Industries in manufacturing as an industrial engineer where I successfully completed ISO 9000 Internal Auditor training, created stamping and assembly process control plans, setup instructions and documentation to help her company achieve ISO 9001 certification. As a process engineer at Navistar, I became a 5S Facilitator for workplace organization. At Daimler Chrysler as a quality engineer, I was part of a cross-disciplinary team of engineers responsible for new product development.

I have been a faculty member at Sinclair since September of 2000, and love helping my students. I’ve served as a National Science Foundation Principal Investigator for the Rigorous Research in Engineering Technology Grant, and Project Director for Ohio Board of Regents Choose Ohio First Grant to promote STEM education. I’m also a senior member of the American Society for Quality where she chairs the Education and Outreach Initiatives and serves as the newly appointed Professional Development Chair for the Ohio Business Teachers Association.

I enjoy participating in activities that help educate our youth and has serve as a mentor for the Urban African American Mentor Program at Sinclair Community College. Often I teach Quick Start classes which are offered at area high schools. As a club advisor for Women in Engineering Technology, I was once awarded the Club Advisor of the Year for my fund raising efforts which provided money for scholarships and holiday wishes for Sinclair students.

My name is Julie Brown and I am the new Social Media Intern for the YED Foundation. I am currently enrolled in the Marketing Management Degree program at Sinclair Community College. I decided to pursue this internship because I had a really good experience growing up with a lot of opportunities available to me and I know that not everyone has that luxury. I wanted to donate my time to a great foundation that puts students first and helps them become everything that they dream to be.

I will be learning something new everyday while working with the YED Foundation. I think that is an important aspect in everyone’s lives. Learning and education broadens our horizons and helps us understand that anything is attainable if we only set our mind to it. I also think that learning is a great way to feel more confident in yourself which can also help students when they strike out on their own in the workforce. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for myself and the foundation and I am excited to take this journey with them.

My name is, Stephanie Underwood, I am an  Volunteer and Advocate, because Youth Entrepreneurship is fresh and innovative.  Helping a child at an early age to believe in themselves and what they can do lays the foundation for their ongoing development efforts. Helping to nurture their dreams, will help them to one day see the reality of what it would be the proud owner of their own business.

I believe in giving back because “it takes a village”, to help the children of the world today.  If we want to see our children grow up to be productive citizens, as adults, we have to nurture their dreams, protect their interests, and point them in the direction of success.  Our efforts as adults have never been more critical to their success then they are today, and I charge each and every one of you to be a part of a child’s success.

My name is William (Bill) Pollard Jr., I volunteered to be the  Co-Chair because I am an ardent and firm believer in giving back to the community, especially our youth. I grew up in the projects of Michigan (converted from WW II dorms) and remember full well all the challenges and risks set before me. I was so blessed to join the Air Force where I obtained a better education and astounding life experience. But most important of all, there were people placed in my life who provided me with outstanding advice, guidance, correction and encouragement.

There is no way I would be in the position that I find myself today without the express and intense support of many caring individuals. As a result, I have dedicated myself to doing whatever I can to ensure I afford similar support for today™s youth. The goals and objectives of AYO are inspiring to me and the primary reason I willingly got involved. Developing tomorrow™s entrepreneurs is crucial to overcoming the many challenges our youth face in this global environment.