Dawn Bogart

Our Co-Chief Executive Officer, Dawn Bogart, joined HYC in May 2014. She has over 30 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations. In addition, she has served in a leadership capacity for 17 years in Arizona, helping to develop and implement numerous programs which provided housing and support services to hundreds of homeless families locally and raised over $15 million for homeless families and children. As an executive officer, she has overseen the substantial growth of the organization including number of youth served, increase in staff and increase in revenue.  She has implemented the Host Family program at HYC to address the housing needs of unaccompanied youth, as well as expanded and enhanced the mentor program to assist homeless youth with their “plan for the future.” She has also implemented a multi-faceted development and fundraising program, including support through grants from local corporations and nonprofits and additional special events to increase individual donor support. She says her personal philosophy is, “If you have the ability to take action, you have the responsibility to take action.” For fun, she enjoys running, reading, watching movies, spending quality time with her children and playing with her dog, Eli. She is also a huge superhero fan.

Dana Bailey

Dana Bailey joined HYC as our Chief Development and Marketing Officer in January 2019, became HYC’s Chief Operating Officer in February 2020 and then became HYC’s Co-Chief Executive Officer in September 2022. Her professional experience includes working in non-profit, government and agency environments. As our Chief Operating Officer, Dana oversees HYC’s ongoing operations and procedures while establishing policies that promote the organization’s culture and vision. She directs the fundraising strategy for individual and community giving through a variety of initiatives, as well as develops and manages communications and marketing strategies for our public relations, social media, donor relations, and community engagement efforts. She has both passion and creative vision for taking a concept or idea and developing it through execution by collaborating with stakeholders, utilizing resources, and applying creative problem solving and strategic planning. Dana says she is inspired and motivated everyday by our youth who do not quit despite experiencing homelessness and facing significant challenges. “Our youth are determined to overcome obstacles and that motivates me to work hard every day on their behalf.” When not at work, she likes to spend time with friends and family, take weekend getaways, do home improvement projects and meet new people.

Lisa Miller

Lisa Miller joined HYC in June of 2020 as our Director of Youth Services. Her professional experience includes over thirty years working in non-profit and behavioral health agency environments. As our Director of Youth Services, she is responsible for overseeing the Empowering Youth for the Future Case management services and the Host Family and Transitional Host Home programs. She has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and holds independent licensure through the AZBBHE in addition to compliance with the clinical supervision registry. Her passion for serving youth and families has spanned throughout her career in leadership roles, creating, developing, and executing a vision by collaborating with team members and community partners, creative problem solving and strategic planning. When not at work, she likes to spend time with friends and family, read, and explore the world.

Kate Blosser

Kate Blosser joined HYC as the Development Communications Manager in March 2024. She moved to Arizona from Michigan two years ago and began working in nonprofit development. Her love for helping her community started during the Flint Water Crisis, and weekly she would help organize water drives for families in need of safe water. As the Development Communications Manager, Kate is responsible for social media management, donor relations, and marketing communications. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants in the Valley with friends and traveling.

Danielle Cameron

Danielle Cameron joined HYC as a Youth Coach in May 2022.  She comes to us with more than 15 years of experience in social services, working predominantly with at risk youth, foster families, and teens aging out of foster care.  As a Youth Coach, Danielle is responsible for identifying and providing the essential needs and resources that homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate, and create a plan for their future.  Danielle has a passion for working with youth and is inspired by their resilience and strength to overcome some of life’s biggest obstacles.  In her free time, Danielle enjoys cooking and spending time with her family, music, traveling, sports, and outdoor activities.

Stefany Chavez

Stefany Chavez joined HYC as a Youth Coach in April 2023 and has more than ten years experience working in mental and behavioral health advocating for vulnerable populations. These populations include unsheltered individuals and families, those experiencing addiction, domestic violence survivors and at-risk youth. Stefany said “I have developed a passion for helping those who are facing difficult circumstances, especially young people who have a promising future.”  She graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. As a Youth Coach, Stefany is responsible for identifying and providing essential needs and resources for youth experiencing homelessness so they can stay in school, graduate, and create a successful plan for their future. When not at work, she likes to spend time with her 2-year-old pug, Dexter. She also enjoys thrifting and antiquing, upcycling, board games, card games and trivia, and anything outdoors as Flagstaff has many beautiful areas to camp, hike, swim, and explore.

Dinu Desilva

Dinu Desilva joined HYC as the Finance Manager in November 2023. She comes to us with more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance including Accounting, Retirement, Treasury, Account payables, Account receivables, Risk Management, and Banking. As the Finance Manager, she is responsible for all finance and accounting activities with a focus on maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all financial data. In her free time, Dinu loves spending time with her two son’s and her two dogs that she adores. She says “as a mother of two my heart bleeds for the kids that deal with the hardships of life all by their lonesome and it is truly an honor to be a part of the HYC family, doing great things every day.”

Logan Donahue

Brian Donohew

Brian Donohew joined HYC as a Youth Coach in August 2019. His professional experience ranges from coaching college baseball for nearly twenty years to nonprofit and behavioral health work. Beginning in 2014, Brian began working in the behavioral health field as a behavior coach working with children and families and as a mentor for youth who were on probation. He also gained extensive experience as a trainer, program manager and high needs case manager protecting children and empowering youth. As a Youth Coach he is responsible for identifying and providing the basic needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate and create a plan for their future. In August 2021, Brian became a Program Manager with HYC. He says his favorite part about his work at HYC is helping and empowering the students he works with so that they can look forward to tomorrow. His life mantra is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, watching baseball and going to the movies.

Angelique Gomez

Angelique Gomez joined HYC as a Youth Coach in August 2022. Her nonprofit experience includes working with youth and their families in an emergency shelter setting. Most recently she worked with adults affected by COVID-19, providing them rental and utility assistance. Working with both populations, she realized that a lot of them were unaware of the resources their communities had to offer. “I want to be that resource for them and help guide the youth and their families in a direction that will help them all succeed together”, she says. As a Youth Coach, Angelique is responsible for identifying and providing essential needs and resources for youth experiencing homelessness so they can stay in school, graduate, and create a successful plan for their future.   When not at work, she enjoys trying new things to cook, working out or doing anything active, reading and spending time with her loved ones. 

Anita Mamy

Anita Mamy joined HYC as a Program Manager in August 2023. She is originally from Guinea (Conakry) and Liberia, West Africa. Anita has a background as an ESL teacher assisting predominantly Spanish-speaking adults as well as experience working with adult refugees and youth in capacities such as Job Developer, Case Manager and Program Manager for almost eight years. She also worked with a workforce development program as program supervisor for nearly two years before joining HYC. As a Program Manager, Anita will provide direction and support to the Youth Coach team to ensure administrative compliance with HYC’s and grantors’ policies and requirements. When not at work, Anita spends her time volunteering with her local African community organizations or writing. She also enjoys reading, watching movies, gardening, hiking, camping, and fishing whenever possible.

Manny Martin

Manny Martin begin his journey with HYC in December of 2023. Manny was born in Bronx, New York but moved to California at 18 months old. He played college basketball and went to Australia to play Professional Basketball for 6 years. During that time Manny continued his education and currently holds a Master’s in Social Work. Manny has over 10 years of experience working with young adolescents and young adults experiencing homelessness. Manny experienced homelessness himself while living in Los Angeles which helped him want to continue to help this population. When not at work, Manny enjoys playing all sports, playing the piano, and doing spoken word.

Robin Miller

Robin Miller joined HYC as the Business and Administrative Manager in March 2022.  Her experience includes nearly 20 years working for a nonprofit organization who provides services to victims of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness. As the Business and Administrative Manager, she is responsible for Board member relations, human resources duties and business operations. In her off hours she enjoys spending time with friends and family, drawing, and watching football and hockey.

Ronnie Mullins

Ronnie Mullins joined HYC as a Youth Coach in February 2024. Ronnie has over 25 years of experience working with At-Risk Youth in Probation and Court Services, being a Domestic Violence Task Force Board Member, Welfare, CPS, and Youth Mentoring. Working with youth continues to inspire and bring her joy as she watches them grow as people. As a Youth Coach, Ronnie’s goal is to help the youth gain the skills necessary to take charge of their future, provide them with basic needs, and support them in continuing their high school education.

John Nesbitt

John Nesbitt joined HYC as the Host Family Youth Coach in September 2019. He comes to us with a diverse background in public education as an administrator and teacher. In addition to public education, he has worked as a case manager supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the area of supported employment. With over 24 years working with individuals and groups, he understands the challenges that many students are facing in today’s world. As a Host Family Youth Coach, he is responsible for identifying and providing the basic needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate, and create a plan for their future. John believes everyone can be successful. With a focus on removing barriers and stabilizing housing, John supports students to build relationships and take the necessary steps to becoming independent and successful. When he isn’t working, John enjoys doing yoga, reading, traveling and the outdoors.

Francis O’Brien

Francis O’Brien joined HYC as a Youth Coach in March 2020. Her professional experience ranges from addressing childhood trauma in communities to helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and working with youth in the behavioral health sector. She says her experience in the non-profit sector has led her to become passionate about working with vulnerable communities and at-risk youth. As a Youth Coach she is responsible for identifying and providing the basic needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate and create a plan for their future. She said her biggest hope is that the youth she helps realize that they’re not in this alone. In her leisure time she enjoys hiking, traveling and training for her first marathon.

Angelica Ortiz

Angelica Ortiz joined HYC as a Resident Assistant in July 2023. Angelica’s experience includes working with unaccompanied and undocumented youth, youth living in a group home setting, and young adults transitioning from group homes to independent living. Her extensive experience includes working with children and young adults ages 0-21. As a Resident Assistant, Angelica will be a mentor at HYC’s residential facility while also teaching life skills such as budgeting, interviewing, and cooking skills. “I look forward to being able to help HYC youth see their full potential and achieve their dreams.”

RaeAnne Pedregon

RaeAnne Pedregon began her journey with HYC in June 2019. Her nonprofit experience includes working with the homeless population teaching critical life skills. In addition, she has experience working as a high needs case manager for populations with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and as a youth mentor in the Gila River Indian Community. As a Youth Coach, she is responsible for identifying and providing the basic needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate, and create a plan for their future. “This particular demographic has been the most relatable that I’ve worked with because I have been in so many of the same situations these kids are in and it makes advocating and supporting them so personal and so worth it,” she says. In her leisure time she enjoys cooking vegan recipes for her family, visiting thrift stores and flea markets, camping and traveling.

Regina Ramondo

Regina Ramondo joined HYC as a Youth Coach in October 2022. She has 12 years of professional experience working with marginalized and vulnerable individuals and communities. Her experience includes work in non-profits, youth ministry, law enforcement and emergency shelters. She also has extensive training and certifications in the mental health and behavioral health sector. As a Youth Coach Regina is responsible for identifying and providing the essential needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate and create a plan for their future. Regina says her goal is to support and serve young people as they navigate life and barriers, “I want to be who I needed when I was young”. In her leisure time she enjoys exercising, being with family, being creative, and making art.

Julie Rewerts

Julie Rewerts joined HYC as the original Youth Coach in July 2011. She is trained in Motivational Interviewing, drug trends among teens and human trafficking. Additionally, she holds certificates in CPI Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and as a Trauma Support Specialist. As our original Youth Coach, she has helped expand the schools we serve from one school district to 10. She finds satisfaction being out in the field working with both the teens and school staff at various schools every day. She especially loves touching the lives of the youth HYC serves and seeing the change that is possible. “To see them reach goals that they didn’t think were possible and then reach even further is both heartwarming and rewarding,” she says. She truly believes in her role as an advocate and understands the importance of achieving quality outcomes and the appropriate use of resources to empower HYC’s youth. In her free time, Julie enjoys spending time with her dog Shiner, camping, and learning new hobbies like quilting.

Ellyse Rooks

Ellyse Rooks joined the HYC team as a Youth Coach in September of 2022. Prior to HYC, Ellyse worked with the Texas Department of Child and Protective Services as a caseworker for five years where she provided case management services to children and their families involved in the foster care system. Additionally, she worked with teenagers who were set to age out of foster care and required independent living services. Working with teenagers is a passion of hers, because she can help guide them towards a successful future. As a Youth Coach, Ellyse is responsible for identifying and providing essential needs and resources for youth experiencing homelessness so they can stay in school, graduate, and create a successful plan for their future. Ellyse is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she received her bachelor’s degree in Communications and is currently in the process of completing her master’s degree in Social Work. When not working, she loves to spend time with her family and pets, and enjoys traveling.

Robin Telle

Robin Telle joined HYC in November of 2022 as the Community Engagement Manager. She brings more than 15 years of experience in working with Valley nonprofits in the areas of marketing and communications, fund development, and volunteer engagement. Robin loves the excitement of connecting people to their purpose and passion. Her inspiration comes from the magic of witnessing individuals as they ignite the spark of servant leadership in themselves. As the Community Engagement Manager, Robin oversees in-kind donations, engages volunteers in meaningful experiences, participates as a HYC Ambassador at community events, and facilitates opportunities to build a stronger community presence for Homeless Youth Connection.  A Midwesterner at heart who loves the four seasons, she enjoys being outdoors, experimenting with new recipes, traveling with family and friends, and supporting locally-owned Arizona coffee cafés on the weekends.

Victoria Tullercash

Victoria Tullercash (she/they) joined Homeless Youth Connection in February 2024. She has four years of prior professional experience working with young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Victoria has worked with youth and young adults in the Department of Child safety as a youth advocate, a committee/coalition member in Tucson with Pima County’s Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH), and has experience in teaching school-aged youth. As a Youth Coach, she is responsible for identifying and providing the basic needs and resources homeless youth need to stay in school, graduate, and create a plan for their future. “I have always had a passion in being an accomplice in helping young people be able to graduate and support their continued success after high school”. When Victoria is not working, she loves creating art, going to local concerts, and spending time with her cats.

Rustbelt Villegas

Rustbelt (Rust) Villegas began his journey with HYC in March 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s certification in global studies. He has over ten years of experience working with non-profit organizations to provide services to refugees, juveniles, and homeless populations. He has experienced homelessness while living in Los Angeles, so working with the youth HYC serves is meaningful and personal to him. As an HYC youth coach, Rust is responsible for providing essential needs, as well as resources for education, housing, and employment to eliminate barriers, empower youth, and create lasting solutions. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, longboarding, kickboxing, and reading books by C.S. Lewis and J. Warner Wallace.

Jasmyne Wells

Jasmyne Wells joined HYC as a Resident Assistant in November 2022. Jasmyne moved from Charlotte, N.C. to Phoenix with her partner and two daughters to teach at Great Heart Academies. Jasmyne taught for four years before transitioning to their after-school program. Her experience also include tutoring at-risk high school students and working as a group home behavioral health technician. As a Resident Assistant, Jasmyne will be a mentor at HYC’s residential facility while also teaching life skills such as budgeting, interviewing, and cooking skills. When not at work, Jasmyne homeschools her two daughters and says “my Christian faith is the anchor of who I am”.