Young Center Board of Directors
Frances de Pontes Peebles (Chair) read more
Frances de Pontes Peebles is the author of the novels "The Seamstress" and "The Air You Breathe." She is a Creative Writing Fellow in Literature from The National Endowment for the Arts. Her books have been translated into ten languages and won the Elle Grand Prix for fiction, the Friends of American Writers Award, and the James Michener-Copernicus Society of America Fellowship. Her second novel, "The Air You Breathe," was a Book of the Month Club pick. Born in Pernambuco, Brazil, she is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, where she returned in 2019 to serve as
Visiting Associate Professor of Fiction. Her short stories and essays have appeared in 0. Henry Prize Stories, Zoetrope: All-Story, Catapult, Guernica, and Ploughshares. Her novel, The Seamstress, was adapted for film and mini-series on Brazil's Globo Network.
Julian Dibbell (Vice Chair) read more
Mr. Dibbell is a Chicago attorney in the Technology Transactions practice of Mayer Brown LLP. Before joining Mayer Brown in 2014, Julian worked as a journalist and author covering the Internet and other digital technologies. Julian received his JD degree from the University of Chicago Law School and his BA from Yale.
Adrian Kellams (Treasurer) read more
Adrian is a tenured Director in PwC’s Consulting Solutions business. He maintains over a decade of Management Consulting experience, focusing on the strategy through execution of Deals & Transformation projects. Adrian has advised clients within a variety of industries and led global transactions for Fortune 500 + portfolio companies across North & South America, Europe and Asia. He supports both Corporate & Private Equity clients in identifying and realizing value for complex, cross-border deals frequently carrying core business and unique cultural challenges. Mr. Kellams holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance & Operations from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and is a licensed CPA in multiple jurisdictions.
Dr. Selma d. Yznaga (Secretary)read more
Selma de Leon-Yznaga is a professor in the Department of Counseling at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic Serving Institutions. Dr. Yznaga earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at St. Mary’s
University in San Antonio. She has held numerous leadership positions in the American Counseling Association (ACA), including president of the Counselors for Social Justice division. Most recently her clinical work, advocacy, and scholarship are directed at the treatment of immigration-related trauma at the Texas/Mexican border. She was recently appointed as the Coordinator of Clinical Services for Texas/Mexico Projects by Counselors Without Borders, an international non-profit organization serving the global
mental health needs of communities following natural and man-made disasters. Dr. Yznaga frequently trains Young Center (Harlingen, Texas) volunteers in trauma-informed care and has served as a child advocate for many years.
Brian Ruben read more
Brian Ruben is an audit partner at Deloitte and has over 25 years of public accounting experience, serving primarily real estate clients, ranging from small private companies to publicly traded and multinational companies. Brian currently serves as the Deloitte Private Audit leader for the Chicago office, the Central Region Real Estate Audit leader and co-leader of Deloitte’s U.S. REIT practice. He was a former adjunct professor at DePaul University and contributor to the Wharton Real Estate Review, Commercial Property Executive, and the U.S. Private Real Estate Fund Compliance Guide. Brian received a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and a MS in Accountancy from DePaul University and is a Certified Public Accountant (licensed in Illinois and New York). Brian currently serves on the executive committee to the Advisory Council of DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business and previously served as Treasurer, Director, and Audit Committee Chairman of Zeta Beta Tau Foundation.
Chirlie Y. Felix read more
As a Managing Director at FSG, Chirlie is a senior leader of the corporate and education practice areas. Chirlie is a seasoned strategist and bridge builder with over 15 years of experience in the social impact space. Chirlie is committed to helping philanthropic and private sector clients grow their capacity to center equity in their business and philanthropic efforts, and scale their social impact. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and International Relations from Hobart & William Smith Colleges, in Geneva, New York. While at HWS, Chirlie also double minored in Africana Studies and Women’s Studies. Chirlie has a Master’s in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University. Born in the Dominican Republic, Chirlie migrated to the United States as a child. A former Volunteer Child Advocate for the Young Center, she is a fierce advocate for intersectional human rights and the rights of children. Before that, Chirlie was a mentor for StartUp for Youth. Chirlie is a supporter of the Lower Eastside Girls Club of NY, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Chirlie is also a Leadership Network member of the Amplify Her Foundation, and serves on the grantmaking committee.
Darrell Silver read more
Darrell Silver is the founder of two technology companies: Thinkful, an online school for adults looking for better careers, which was acquired by Chegg in 2019; and Perpetually, an archiving service for the web, which was acquired by Dell in 2012. In addition to serving on the board of the Young Center, Darrell is a board member, advisor and investor at companies working to create one million new middle class jobs. He began his career in finance working as a software engineer after graduating with an Art History bachelor’s degree from Columbia University. He was born and raised in New York City, where he lives with his husband.
Jane Byrne read more
Jane Byrne has been a supporter of the Young Center for years. Jane is a retired lawyer who formerly served as a Partner in a Wall Street law firm. Her practice included advising an array of well-known domestic and international insurers in high-value coverage disputes, reinsurance litigation and arbitration, transactional disputes and trials. She was recognized as an ‘Insurance Law Trailblazer’ by the National Law Journal and one of the ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ by Benchmark Litigation. Jane is also a three-time winner of Law360’s MVP award and was selected by clients and peers to be a member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame as an elite leading lawyer representing insurers.
Jonathan Frankel read more
Jonathan Frankel works as a Program Manager on the Patent team at Google. He also co-owns and runs The Commissioner, a neighborhood tavern in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2005. Jonathan has been actively involved in fundraising for the Young Center since 2009, when his late sister Elizabeth Frankel became the organization’s third full-time employee. Elizabeth held the title of Associate Director at the time of her passing in January 2021.
William Reiss read more
William V. Reiss is a partner at Robins Kaplan LLP in the firm’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Group where he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in some of the largest and most complex “bet the company” antitrust actions across the country. He currently serves in leadership roles in several groundbreaking antitrust class actions in which he has recovered more than $1.2 billion for victims of alleged anticompetitive conduct. Mr. Reiss graduated from the New York University School of Law with his J.D. in 2001 and from the George Washington University, Magna Cum Laude, with his B.A. in Political Science and History in 1998. In addition to serving on the Young Center Board of Directors, Mr. Reiss is also committed to pro bono work and has successfully advocated on behalf of the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in several World Trade Center Victims’ Compensation Fund hearings. He currently provides pro bono representation on behalf of immigrant children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect in their home countries.
Fabia Mirick Yazaki read more
Fabia served for almost 20 years with the United Nations, leading teams in the areas of Public Information, Program Evaluation, Best Practices, Capacity Building for Official Statistics, Sustainable Development Goals and Peacekeeping. Fabia’s experience working with governments, civil society, private sector and international organizations informs her current activities, with a focus on human rights and migration. Prior to the United Nations, Fabia co-published several scientific articles in biostatistics. Fabia was awarded the Honors Medal by the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, her home country, where she earned her degree in Statistics and a Master’s in Business Administration. She currently serves as Board President for another NGO that provides legal assistant to detained migrants seeking asylum and she volunteers as an interpreter and translator to a number of non-profits. She joins the Board of the Young Center for Human Rights, after volunteering for this organization as a Child Advocate.
Mariana Espinosa read more
Mariana is Head of Marketing International and Global Trade at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. Mariana is the global market coverage lead across client engagement and events, content strategy, media and campaigns. Mariana is a 15-year industry veteran having started her career in Financial Services at SunGard (now FIS) before leaving to spend 10 years across various other institutions including Mysis and HSBC where most recently she was based in London as Head of Commercial Banking Marketing for Ireland and Benelux. Mariana joined J.P. Morgan Chase & Co in 2018.Mariana is originally from Mexico City and grew up in Nogales, Arizona. She currently resides in Chicago with her labradoodle Dublin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Arizona State University
Ygnacio D. Garza read more
Ygnacio D. Garza has worked in public accounting for 47 years and has provided litigation support services as an expert witness for the last 31 years. He began his career in public accounting with Long Chilton in 1975 and received his CPA Certification in March of 1977. Garza remained with the firm through their merger with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (CRI) in 2016. Now a partner at CRI, he has an active accounting practice providing income tax, financial statement preparation, and business consulting services to a wide range of clients. He has been retained in over 900 cases providing litigation support services.Ygnacio has extensive experience working on a wide range of litigation matters. He has testified in federal and state courts, worked for both plaintiffs and defendants, and has worked on cases requiring a wide range of damage calculations.
Kathy Guinnessey read more
Kathy Guinnessey has had an impressive career leading finance organizations across a wide array of industries from publishing to retail to data driven solutions. She recently served as CFO of Green Street where she was instrumental in repositioning the company and putting it on a path to long term growth culminating in its sale in 2022. Before Green Street, Kathy spent 15 years at Dun & Bradstreet as North America CFO, Treasurer and Chief Investor relations officer where she advised management and the Board of Directors on all matters pertaining to the capital structure of the company. Kathy is a dynamic leader with a track record of partnering across organizations to drive the best outcomes for all stakeholders. She served on the board of the Eden II, an organization supporting persons with autism from early childhood through adulthood as well as the Tewksbury (NJ) Public Library.
Renata Garcia read more
Renata is an associate at Blackstone, with years of experience in structured finance. She is a passionate advocate for increasing the visibility of women in finance. Hailing from an entrepreneurial family, she currently co-owns multiple newly started companies, embodying a "con ganas" (with determination) mentality in her leadership approach. Renata's journey is deeply rooted in her immigrant upbringing, drawing inspiration from her parents' values. Her mother's resilience after challenging days and her father's daily emphasis on "helping others always" have shaped Renata's achievements, reflecting her dedication to breaking barriers and empowering others. As a former Volunteer Child Advocate for the Young Center, she holds a deep commitment to championing the rights of children, recognizing their vulnerability during transitional periods. Renata's decision to join this board is fueled by the belief that purpose-driven actions have the potential to change lives. She envisions leveraging her experiences to contribute to the board's mission, fostering positive change in communities.
Alexander Rivera read more
Alexander Rivera is a seasoned business leader at Comcast NBCUniversal, currently directing data intelligence strategies within Comcast Global Audit. A thirteen-year industry veteran, he drives initiatives to fortify data integrity, security, and privacy across the organization. Holding a Bachelor's in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies from the King's College of London, he brings a diverse skill set to his role. Beyond his professional achievements, Alexander is an active startup investor, having backed multiple companies with a focus on underrepresented founders and emerging industries. He is also passionate about world travel and discovery, enriching his understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives through visits to 66 countries and 28 U.S. states.