Mission
Inspiring and empowering disadvantaged youth to unlock their financial potential through education and learning, leading to improved livelihoods.
Our Core Vales
Empowerment
Collaboration
Empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential.
Fostering partnerships and leveraging collective efforts to create a greater impact and achieve common goals.
Innovation
Committed to finding creative and effective solutions and embracing new ideas.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and outcomes, promoting transparency and trust among our stakeholders
We place a high value on dignity, embracing diversity, and fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals are valued and heard.
Respect
Board Member
Bassam Issa
Director: Leo Sakai
Director: Edward Little
Edward Little is a seasoned professional with a Master of Business Administration degree and a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. He is also the founder of Project Dojo LLC. With a track record of over ten years in various fields such as Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Human Resources, ERP implementation, Risk Management, and Compliance, Mr. Little has demonstrated his expertise in serving the United Nations, NGOs, and the Private Sector both domestically and internationally.
Throughout his career, Mr. Little has had the opportunity to work and travel to more than 47 countries, collaborating with highly skilled and culturally diverse teams. His experiences have fostered a strong social dynamic and a shared sense of achievement among team members. Mr. Little firmly believes that the key to successful project implementation lies in establishing strong relationships, engaging stakeholders effectively, and coordinating operational, administrative, financial, and logistical activities.
In summary, Edward Little brings a wealth of experience, a comprehensive skill set, and a proven ability to drive successful project outcomes. His extensive background in diverse sectors and his global perspective make him an ideal candidate for a position on the NGO board.
Bassam Issa leverages over 4 years leading finance and operations at Jusoor. His experience driving strategic initiatives for nonprofits includes leading capacity building programs as an NGO Finance Trainer with Nonviolent Peaceforce. Bassam brings critical skills in budget management, program development, and cross-sector partnership cultivation. His track record of effective collaboration and financial stewardship will aid in establishing a startup pipeline nonprofit serving youth. Drawing on a background spearheading finance and administration, he is well-equipped to oversee fiscal responsibility while enabling strategic growth. Bassam’s combination of nonprofit finance expertise and operation leadership makes him an ideal board member to co-develop the framework, network, and early wins toward the mission of driving higher financial capability and equitable access for students.
CEO of Clarus Financial Group, a comprehensive financial services company headquartered in New York. Co-founder at Little Monster Inc., a venture investment firm. CEO of AMC New York, a comprehensive consulting firm specializing in providing complete support for Japanese companies seeking to expand into the American market, encompassing services related to corporate establishment and M&A.
Leveraging the background of being born and raised in New York, Leo offers various types of US financial services tailored specifically for Japanese high-net-worth individuals, which are typically inaccessible to Japanese individuals. Prior to embarking on the entrepreneurial journey, Leo successfully completed the Management Associate Development Program at Commerce Bank (now TD Bank), which was exclusively designed for high-achieving individuals and provided valuable insights into the realm of banking. In 2007, Leo achieved the distinction of the top sales record nationwide at Bank of America, becoming the youngest Vice President in their history among a workforce of 30,000 employees."
Social Contribution Initiatives
The Pursue Your Dream Foundation, an officially registered non-profit organization (501c3) in the United States, was established in 2007, and its subsidiary, PYD Japan, was founded in 2009. Drawing inspiration from the complexities experienced at the intersection of Japanese and American cultures, Leo has leveraged this perspective to impart the knowledge, that has enabled Japanese individuals to attain the top positions in the United States, ranging from corporate executives to new employees, all under the tutelage of prominent company presidents. To date, Leo have instructed over 15,000 individuals with the exclusive 'Financial Knowledge' and 'Global Business Skills' known only to a select few in the United States.
Brian Edwards brings over 15 years of accomplished sales leadership and revenue growth expertise. His track record of surpassing targets through consultative customer engagement will aid the startup nonprofit in community partnership building and fundraising. Having motivated teams to peak performance, Brian can leverage his interpersonal talents to drive an empowering culture. His financial orientation will enable fiscal responsibility while pursuing ambitious expansion. Brian contributes dynamic communication skills honed through C-suite relationship management across industries including technology and human capital management. He has launched initiatives to equip workforces with career-advancing skills training. This passion for elevating professional capability makes Brian an ideal board member to help create pipelines readying youth to excel in emerging fields shaping more equitable access to economic mobility.
Brian Edwards
Keoni Carew spearheads a lifestyle brand empowering people to find purpose and joy through golf. Her prowess spans athletic competitions, filmmaking with major studios like Blumhouse, and community service uplifting at-risk youth, the homeless and elderly. Keoni continues giving back, documenting her entrepreneurial journey to motivate others realizing their dreams. She helps youth in Uganda build life skills, access education, and discover golf’s benefits. As a mother, Keoni strives to model happiness, health and self-care while breaking barriers for her son. With her platform reaching diverse audiences, she sparks candid dialogue reducing inequality. Keoni understands that change starts with individual mindsets before shifting systems. Her passion for enrichment makes Keoni a dedicated ally guiding our nonprofit’s mission of readying underserved students to excel. She will help youth recognize their inner strengths while providing networking, internships and visibility to inspire the next generation of leaders across industries.
Keoni Carew
Lauren V. Walling brings over 9 years as Executive Director of Women’s Studio Workshop, leveraging strategic financial management and fundraising to transform the organization. Her nonprofit expertise spans capacity building, mentorship, and advancing mission-driven initiatives. Lauren strengthens communities through responsible real estate development and championing small business growth. With an MBA focused on finance and a Fundraising Certificate from Indiana University's Lilly School of Philanthropy, she contributes keen financial acumen and development skills. As a mentor devoted to financial literacy and generational wealth building, Lauren emphasizes empowerment through economic mobility. Her focus on innovative leadership and uplifting marginalized voices will help drive inclusion in the nonprofit’s vision and programming. Lauren delivers the experience and community-centered mindset instrumental in building a startup pipeline nonprofit serving youth financial capability and access.
Lauren Walling
Orly Lynn spearheads diversity, equity and inclusion strategies as founder of Diversity Unfiltered. With two decades advancing inclusion across sectors, she brings invaluable perspective on fostering belonging for marginalized groups. Orly’s tailored approach entails conducting audits analyzing data and policies to pinpoint equity gaps, then formulating customized solutions. She advises organizations on optimizing diverse talent management while coaching leaders and teams on bias mitigation, allyship and driving systemic change through grassroots engagement. Having created award-winning development programs specifically elevating women of color, Orly is deeply committed to empowerment from within. Her academic foundation in sociology and management, paired with on-the-ground expertise, equip Orly to drive impact as the nonprofit ushers in rising generations of young leaders. She will help ensure our programs cultivate access, representation and advancement opportunities for all youth.
Orly Lynn
Ramon Ray
Ramon Ray brings over 20 years as a leading small business expert, serial entrepreneur, and influencer dedicated to inspiring success. Having built and profitably exited two companies, he offers invaluable insight on strategic growth and brand-building for startups. Ramon has shared knowledge across platforms from books and major media interviews to keynoting alongside legends like Seth Godin. His events equip thousands of entrepreneurs annually with the mindset, skills and access needed to turn dreams into thriving ventures. With deep ties across NYC’s business community, he provides networking and partnerships instrumental for a new organization. And having immigrated to New York himself, Ramon connects genuinely with youth seeking to chart their own path as he did in pursuing his passion despite hurdles. His moxie and heart make him perfectly suited to mentor the next generation of diverse young trailblazers in underserved communities.