Youth Represent is pleased to announce that Mai Brand has joined its board of directors. Mai brings more than a decade of experience in executing fundraising initiatives for nonprofits with a focus on strategic partnership building, foundation and corporate grants, and philanthropic event planning.
Mai is currently the Director of Institutional Partnerships, Equity for Resilia, where she partners with funders to deploy capacity-building programs supporting community-based, BIPOC-led/serving nonprofits. Prior to Resilia, Mai worked for social justice organizations including Exalt Youth, Eskolta, and Equal Justice Works. Her work is very mission aligned to that of Youth Represent, especially when it comes to supporting and empowering young people impacted by the criminal justice system.
Mai welcomed the opportunity to combine her experience with her passion for helping young people succeed.
“I’ve always been drawn to YR’s model and mission,” Mai said. Adding the impact Youth Represent has on young people’s lives through “the tangible opportunities that the organization is able to provide young people, [not only] to access equitable legal representation, but also opportunities such as peer-to-peer education, and workshops to inform the youth of their rights. YR elevates young people’s voices, and I am honored to do my part to support this wonderful organization”.
Noting how important fundraising is to continue to “support the growth and impact of Youth Represent,” Brand says she looks forward to joining the fundraising committee and working on the upcoming annual wine fundraiser in September.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mai to the Board,” said Maggie Lear, Board Chair for Youth Represent. “She brings great energy and a depth of knowledge and skills around development that will take YR to the next level.”
Mai will serve along with Lear, Richard McKeon (Treasurer), Kevin Baisden (Secretary), Roberta Meyers Douglas, Colin H. Mincy, Hitha Palepu (Executive Committee), Jeanne Bryd Adams, Nathalie Berger, Rini Fonseca-Sabune, Jason Spears, Esq., Wes Korantang (Executive Committee), and Leonard Noisette, Esq.
Mai, who lived in Vietnam until she was 12 years old, is fluent in Vietnamese and has lived in four countries. She enjoys “nurturing nature” and hopes to expand her gardening skills. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and son.