From Community Roots to Business Heights
Coaches are an integral part of our program, bringing their expertise and dedication to support and inspire participants. Over the years, we have been fortunate to work with remarkable coaches who have significantly impacted our community. Here are some of the exceptional individuals who served as coaches in the past, along with the years they contributed to our program.
Would you like to help others achieve entrepreneurial freedom?
NY
WHITAKER
STARTUP NYCHA COACH
Ny Whitaker’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, leadership, and community impact. From the public housing projects of Harlem to influential roles in the White House, Ny has consistently broken barriers and uplifted others along the way.
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A dynamic force in entrepreneurship, education, and political strategy, Ny’s two decades of experience include pivotal roles such as a White House Presidential Appointee and Senior Advisor for the DNC, where she was instrumental in Barack Obama’s historic election.
As the founder and chief strategist of PROJECT NYNE, she leverages her expertise to help small businesses and nonprofits create lasting social impact. Ny’s dedication to empowering underserved communities shines through her work as the Executive Director of The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy, where she is leading the restoration of a historic church into a vibrant cultural center.
Recently named a 2024 Woman of Influence by Crain's Magazine, Ny continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders, with a focus on uplifting women and girls to drive meaningful change in their communities.
DENISE
RELF
STARTUP NYCHA COACH
Denise Relf, MPA (she/her/hers), founder of Never Stop Growing Coaching & Consulting, LLC, is a leadership development expert with a background in transformative initiatives at NYC ACS and collaborations with institutions like the University of Maryland.
Drawing from her Bronx roots and diverse experiences, Denise offers personalized coaching that empowers leaders to overcome challenges, inspire teams, and drive organizational change. Her unique blend of strategic insight and empathy makes her an invaluable partner for those seeking to elevate their leadership and create lasting impact.
RON JOHNSON
STARTUP NYCHA COACH
Leading with a passion for community development and educational innovation, my role as Program Director at WIBO involves spearheading youth empowerment initiatives and overseeing the eLearning migration of our entrepreneurship workshops. Our team's dedication to enriching alumni engagement and expanding impactful programs has directly contributed to the creation of 34,000 jobs.
With expertise in curriculum design and instructional strategy, I have developed interactive learning modules that have exposed 400 students to essential work experience and financial literacy. My commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit has not only guided businesses to launch and grow but has also laid a foundation for the next generation to influence and empower their communities.
SARAH
ADAMS
STARTUP NYCHA COACH
Sarah Adams. is a highly skilled Learning and Development professional with deep expertise in instructional design, corporate training, and eLearning development. She brings a strategic approach to curriculum design, leveraging her extensive experience in creating tailored learning solutions that enhance both individual and organizational performance. With a proven track record of collaborating with leaders and subject matter experts, Sarah excels at developing impactful training programs that drive measurable outcomes.
Sarah offers valuable insights into optimizing learning processes, streamlining team development, and improving operational efficiency through targeted training initiatives. Her ability to identify skill gaps and implement scalable, technology-driven learning solutions makes her an ideal partner for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and build high-performing teams
NYCHA Coach Interest Form
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