Blog

Our YLA Board Retreat was a Success Thank you Green Valley Ranch!A huge Shout-Out to Chris, Jeremy, Kara, Kat, and Kimo!  This past weekend, the YLA Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Committee came together for one mission – to help kids because they matter. Our dynamic and inspirational leadership team joined together to refine our current

Meet Sergeant Daniel Hernandez Sergeant Hernandez has been with YLA for 8 years. I grew up in a home that taught me about self-reliance and having a good work ethic. I have immigrant parents and grandparents that gave up their life dreams to raise me and my siblings in America. I saw the sacrifice needed for

Meet Mark Schick Mark is the Owner and CEO of Master Mechanical and has been with YLA for half a year.  I have been following Youth Leadership Authority (YLA) since 2019 when Executive Director Marie Tomao promoted YLA though a Marketplace Event I was MC’ing/attending. I was so compelled by the YLA story and its history that

Meet Svetlana Carter Svetlana is our Treasurer and has has been with YLA for three years. I have known the Executive Director of Youth Leadership Authority (YLA), Marie Tomao, since 2011, and I have had the pleasure of witnessing her passion for helping youth. I watched YLA grow and develop over the years and was honored

Meet Colonel Ray Blum Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, Ret. (30 Yrs.); Teacher/Coach/ AD, L.A.U.S.D. (34 Yrs.) Colonel Blum has been on YLA’s Board for four years.  I was a teacher from 1968 to 2006 and in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 2000. As a Teacher I was mostly a P.E. Teacher/Coach/ Athletic Director working with High School students.

Meet Kathy Chavez  Kathy is our 1st Sergeant and the Mom of our SNDP program. She is an Executive Resolutions Specialist at Bank of America and has been on YLA’s Board for three years. I have been actively involved with YLA since 2018 when my son attended the 12-week Southern Nevada Devil Pups training and community service program.

Scott has been with YLA for one year and he is an outstanding example of leadership for our students!  For the past 26 years, I have had the privilege to serve as an emergency responder in Las Vegas and Henderson. Through my work as a paramedic and member of the Henderson Fire Department, I have come

I am an authentic, fun loving, determined, values-driven woman of faith. My life motivation is based on the Starfish Story and my experiences as a mother, friend, professional, community leader, teacher, and mentor.  I am a 48-year resident of Clark County with a strong love and loyalty to God, family, and community. I am looking