Our Board

Owner of B.O.S.S. Enterprises, LLC and CEO of D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. to Succeed, Inc., Yvonne was born and raised in the Hill section of New Haven, CT. She spent many years working in youth development and academia at the university level. Yvonne has worked and gained a wealth of knowledge at a federally funded job training program for at-risk youth, programming for a national Girls organization, and in community development at public school districts in Connecticut.
In addition to her extensive experience, Yvonne is licensed by the State of Connecticut as a Notary Public, holds certifications in Leadership, Parent Advocacy, Credentialing in After School Education, and has a DCF Credentialing in Community Based Life Skills, Therapeutic Staff Support, and Staff Support.  Yvonne holds a BS in Human Services (Magna Cum Laude) from Springfield College, is married to Keith R. Jones, and they have three adult children. 

Jacqueline Evans, native of Jamaica West Indies, and mother of three beautiful daughters began her career path in Human Services in 1990 after graduatng from Southern Connecticut State University. While her original pathway was to be a registered nurse, she quickly saw that she was not cut out for handling the gory clinicals in the hospital emergency room after fainting several times during clinical rounds. She was however able to complete three years in nursing school at SUNY Morrisville, to then receiving her Bachelors in Human Services and Health Administration.  

Jacqueline also became a Behavior Therapist in the Newport News School system in VA and then transitioned to community counseling, working with youth and adults with mental health challenges. 

Jacqueline relocated back to Connecticut in 2016 and continued her career in Human Services  Jacqueline’s gift of connection with youth keeps her motivated and driven.  

  Founder of K. Gaskins Consulting, Kim received her MBA from American International College. Kim started working with small business owners in 2010. She has helped business owners manage the challenges of starting, maintaining or growing their businesses.  Her unique approach allows her to design customized interactive programs for her clients which produce productivity, prosperity and a clear road-map to embracing their business' place in God's story. After receiving her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Penn State University, she taught in Elementary Schools in North Carolina, New York and Connecticut. While she enjoyed teaching and shaping young minds, she knew there was more for her to do.  After leaving the classroom, she began a career in Corporate America.  Here she was able to put her love of learning to work in a variety of businesses. She worked at streamlining operations, negotiating and managing multi-million dollar contracts and obtaining invaluable skills she uses with her clients today.  

  Michael Jodon always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. He began his collegiate career at Southern Connecticut State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. He combined his studies with his experience in agriculture and athletics to assist young people with life skills. He worked in Ansonia and Bridgeport Public Schools as an Instructional Aide and served as a tutor of high school dropouts in the City of New Haven. His career has currently advanced as a 9th and 10th grade Math teacher at Capital Prep Harbor in Bridgeport, CT.   

 Cassandra’s professional experience as a manager includes more than twenty years of service at Southern Connecticut State University where she currently serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Undergraduate Admissions. As a member of the enrollment management team, Cassandra oversees the department budget and supervises the clerical operation of the department. Her professional service also encompasses her position as the President of AFSCME Local 478 Administrative Clerical Bargaining Unit representing over 400 state employees from Bridgeport to Meriden, CT.

Cassandra's community service resume is extensive and she holds several local, state, and regional leadership positions.  Currently, she is the Vice-Governor of the Northeast District of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., and a member of the New Haven Democratic Town Committee.

  Dr. Cassandra Veney is Executive Director of the HILLS Program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She previously served as Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations at the United States International University-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. She joined USIU in 2016. Prior to joining USIU, she was Professor of Political Science at Quinnipiac University. Professor Veney has a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her areas of research and scholarship include: forced migration in Eastern Africa, US-Africa Relations, and US immigration and refugee policies toward African and African descended people. During her tenure at Quinnipiac University, Dr. Veney met the CEO & Founder and was quite impressed with her journey to impact the lives of today's youths and families. Given her work with first year students at Quinnipiac University, Dr. Veney became interested in assisting to further the mission of the organization in hopes of helping them to achieve their desired outcomes. She is married to Professor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, former Vice President of Academic Affairs at Quinnipiac University.