Meet the YUPRO Placement team
Michelle Sims
Michelle’s leadership at YUPRO Placement is driven by a powerful “why” – a personal understanding of the transformative impact of support and opportunity. Growing up as a “latchkey kid” instilled in her a deep empathy for individuals facing systemic challenges and a lifelong dedication to creating pathways to economic stability through skills-first, inclusive hiring practice. This commitment is rooted in her 17 years as an instructor at Houston Community College, where she witnessed the potential unleashed through guidance and mentorship for individuals that did not have the means or opportunity to pursue a 4-year degree.
Since joining YUPRO Placement’s Board in 2018 and becoming CEO in March 2020, Michelle has translated this passion into tangible results. Her 25 years of experience in human resources, sales, and operations leadership have propelled the organization to significant achievements, including four consecutive years on the SIA Fastest Growing Staffing Companies list and five consecutive years as a Best of Staffing Client Satisfaction recipient with ClearlyRated.
These successes are not just about business growth; they reflect Michelle’s unwavering focus on the mission of empowering individuals and building stronger communities through skills-first advocacy. Her early experiences and her dedication to nontraditional education provide a unique lens through which she leads YUPRO Placement, understanding the critical role organizations like ours play in building strong families and communities.
Michelle shares, “My belief in the transformative impact of empowering individuals and the crucial role of socially responsible organizations in fostering economic stability is not just a professional conviction – it’s a deeply held one shaped by my own experiences. Leading the dedicated team at YUPRO Placement, who reinforce this vision daily, fuels my commitment to advocating for equality and building pathways to opportunity for overlooked talent.”
Katie Breault
Katie is a nationally recognized leader in skills-first hiring and workforce strategy. She advises executive teams on how to build hiring models that reflect the demands of today’s labor market while aligning with long-term business growth. Her work focuses on solving complex talent challenges through practical, scalable solutions that prioritize performance and potential.
With a background in workforce development, public policy, and organizational design, Katie brings deep experience leading large-scale initiatives that drive both impact and outcomes. She has spent her career building systems that open access to high-performing, overlooked talent and strengthening how companies attract, retain, and advance early career professionals.
Her approach is informed by years of working across sectors and her own firsthand experience mentoring a young adult who would have been screened out by traditional hiring practices. That moment became a catalyst for her ongoing work to shift how companies define and measure talent.
Katie shares, “If you’re only hiring who shows up on paper, you’re missing who shows up in performance.”
Tirranny Nettles
With over a decade of experience in staffing and workforce development, Nettles is an innovative and impact-driven leader dedicated to creating equitable career pathways for traditionally overlooked talent. She leads national recruitment strategy and client delivery operations—partnering with mission-aligned employers to design and execute forward-thinking, skills-first hiring solutions.
Her expertise spans healthcare, professional services, and IT staffing, and she is widely recognized for building trusted client relationships, aligning talent strategy with business goals, and driving results at scale. Nettles brings a consultative, people-first mindset to every partnership, helping clients unlock untapped talent pools while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes.A passionate advocate for skills-first hiring, she believes in shifting focus from résumés to real-world potential: “When we hire for skills, we break down barriers, unlock innovation, and create lasting change—for individuals, communities, and the future of work.”
Emily Schaffer
Emily Schaffer is a passionate advocate for economic equity, dedicated to creating career opportunities for historically marginalized communities. Her journey began as a Teach for America teacher in Compton, CA, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. This experience, coupled with her role as an early team member in a tech startup, solidified her commitment to harnessing market forces for social good.
In 2011, Emily joined Year Up United, initially leading program initiatives before stepping into the role of Executive Director for the Bay Area region in 2016. Her impact continued to grow as she took on the national role of Managing Director of Technology in 2020. Before her role with the YUPRO Placement team, she served as CEO of ChooseU, formerly known as Generation USA, where she led a national workforce development nonprofit recognized for its rapid scaling of technical training programs.
Today, Emily is focused on expanding YUPRO Placement’s footprint in the Bay Area and across the nation, driving solutions that help companies identify, develop, and hire mission-driven talent.
Emily shares, “It’s been my honor to directly support thousands of young adults, whose talents might otherwise be overlooked, launch their careers. Their drive, adaptability and persistence has held outsize value for their employers. Our world is rich with talented individuals and organizations eager to hire. YUPRO Placement exists to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, enabling both to realize their fullest potential.”
Kelsey Weaver
With a strong background in the nonprofit sector, Kelsey Weaver was drawn to YUPRO Placement’s mission as a public benefit corporation. Kelsey values working in an environment where business success is aligned with social impact—and where the success of skills-first talent remains central to every decision. Kelsey leads cross-functional collaboration across departments and in partnership with YUPRO Placement’s parent company, Year Up United. She supports operations, compliance, and the integration of technology tools that improve efficiency and scale. Her expertise in project management, process building, and strategic planning helps drive company-wide initiatives forward with clarity and purpose.
Kelsey is guided by the belief that “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker, and she applies that vision daily to building systems that create lasting opportunity for the workforce of tomorrow.
Ainsley Castro Charles
Ainsley Castro Charles brings over seven years of experience in workforce development to her role at YUPRO Placement, where she leads national initiatives that expand access to economic opportunity for underrepresented talent. After beginning her career in alternative investments and spending more than a decade in the finance industry, Ainsley transitioned into mission-driven work at Year Up United’s Greater Boston site, where she supported young adults preparing for corporate roles. That experience sparked a deep commitment to skills-based hiring and ultimately led her to YUPRO Placement—where she now collaborates with employers across the country to build equitable, STARs-focused hiring pipelines.
Growing up in inner-city Boston, Ainsley participated in several nonprofit organizations that played a pivotal role in shaping her commitment to social impact—including Citizen Schools, Bottom Line, Summer Search, The Brian J. Honan Fellowship, and various local community centers. These early experiences instilled in her the belief that with access and support, all young people can thrive—fueling the values that continue to guide her work today.
As a proud first-generation American and college graduate, Ainsley brings both strategic insight and personal connection to the work. She thrives at the intersection of business outcomes and social impact—educating employer partners, navigating complex workforce needs, and co-creating hiring models that prioritize skills, potential, and long-term success. Her leadership has contributed to the organization’s growing national reach and supported the placement of talent into career-building roles that drive economic mobility.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and remains deeply connected to her hometown of Mattapan, MA, where she actively participates in community events that champion initiatives to close the racial wealth gap.
Today, Ainsley leads national initiatives at YUPRO Placement working to expand economic mobility through Skills-First hiring and meaningful corporate partnerships.
Ainsley shares, “Many of us are thriving in careers we didn’t earn a degree in—imagine the possibilities when your team starts tapping into that superpower.”
Diocelyn Batista
Diocelyn brings a deep understanding of both business development and workforce equity to every conversation. He connects employers with skilled, career-ready professionals by focusing on what matters most: solving real business challenges while expanding access to opportunity for talent that is often overlooked.
With experience across corporate tech, staffing, and nonprofit workforce development, Diocelyn brings a consultative approach and a clear understanding of what it takes to build strong, inclusive teams. He has led high-performing sales teams at AlphaSense and Spring Health, supporting enterprise clients with scalable, results-driven solutions. At NPower, he helped hundreds of early-career professionals launch successful careers by partnering closely with employers to place talent where it could thrive.
Diocelyn shares, “Talent is everywhere, but access is not. I’ve worked across sectors, and what I’ve learned is this: companies want great people, and great people are often one opportunity away. I’m here to help bridge that gap.”
Alyssa Sweet
Alyssa motivates, coaches, and supports our amazing talent each day. Alyssa’s passion for placement and coaching began while interviewing for a job at a staffing company. They immediately saw a spark in her, so they hired her on the spot to learn recruiting, and Alyssa was hooked! Alyssa’s discernment skills and natural curiosity, along with her work ethic of ‘do what it takes’ fit well with YUPRO Placement’s mission, as Alyssa serves as a role model for her talent on assignment. They respond well to Alyssa’s motivational tips, and she works diligently to always provide encouragement as they apply those tips.
Alyssa shares, “Working toward a social mission not only continuously holds us accountable, but also allows us to do something very magical, to create a positive change in someone’s life.”
Jasmine Walthall-Drakes
Jasmine Walthall-Drakes began her career at Year Up United as a receptionist supporting the Executive Team. Jasmine happily spent 8 years with Year Up United, serving as an Internship Services Representative for interns and then as a Program Manager. As an alumna of the Year Up United Program (July 2013 graduate), Jasmine has also served on her local Year Up United (Boston) and National Alumni Association board. She found a passion for building relationships, facilitating, and process improvement. She plays a key role in optimizing internal processes and driving operational efficiency across the organization. With a passion for organization and a keen eye for detail, she works closely with all departments to streamline workflows, enhance communication, and ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly.
Throughout her life journey, Jasmine will continue to lead with the mindset of the Wayne Gretzky quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Andre Brown
Andre is a proud graduate and trailblazer of Year Up Philadelphia Class 1, where he served on local leadership boards and led as President of the Philadelphia Alumni Association. After completing the program, he built a strong foundation at JPMorgan Chase as a Project Manager before discovering his true calling in Workforce Development. Andre brings a deep, personal commitment to ensuring that talent is seen, valued, and given a real shot at success. Joining YUPRO Placement felt like a natural fit, his passion aligns perfectly with the mission to create equitable access to meaningful careers. Andre takes pride in uplifting others, helping individuals secure opportunities that allow them to support themselves and their families, just as Year Up once did for him.
Alexis Agee
Alexis is passionate about helping others unlock their potential and take confident steps toward meaningful career paths. With a background in people-focused work, she thrives on building strong relationships and creating supportive spaces where individuals feel encouraged, capable, and ready to grow.
She is motivated by the tangible impact that comes from connecting great talent with the right opportunities—especially when it means helping someone take a big leap toward their future. Alexis brings a thoughtful, energetic approach to her work, balancing strategic thinking with genuine care for the people she supports.
At YUPRO Placement, Alexis is proud to contribute to a mission that aligns with her personal values: empowering others, creating momentum in their careers, and celebrating their success every step of the way.
Alexis shares, “I’m driven by the opportunity to work with clients who believe in the value of emerging talent—and to help connect them with individuals who are ready to make an impact from day one.”
Jazmin Lewis
Jazmin Lewis brings a strong background in client relationship management and talent acquisition, rooted in a deep commitment to supporting underrepresented and diverse talent. Her career journey began in the cosmetology and beauty industry, where she learned the power of personal connection, resilience, and helping others feel seen and valued-principles she carries into her work today.
Over the past year, she had been building meaningful relationships with both candidates and hiring partners ensuring a values-driven, high-touch approach to workforce development. Her experience spans industries and functions, allowing her to understand unique hiring needs and connect organizations with highly skilled professionals from a national talent pipeline.
She’s passionate about creating equitable career pathways and helping companies build inclusive, high-performing teams that reflect the communities they serve. Guided by a spirit of continuous learning and purpose-driven work, she strives each day to make a positive impact through authentic relationships and shared growth.
Jazmin shares, “As a mother and a farm owner, I know firsthand the value of hard work, patience, and nurturing potential. I bring that same energy into my work helping people grow, thrive, and find where they truly belong.”
Antwyne Gilbert
Driven by a deep commitment to closing the opportunity divide, Antwyne brings a strong background in talent acquisition, workforce development, and corporate engagement to his work supporting underrepresented talent. As a first-generation college graduate who identifies with the very communities he now serves, Antwyne is passionate about creating access to meaningful career pathways for those who have historically been overlooked. His experience recruiting at Year Up gave him firsthand insight into the barriers diverse talent often faces and the transformative impact of inclusive hiring. With expertise in relationship building, process improvement, and strategic workforce solutions, he strives to deliver outcomes that empower individuals and strengthen organizations.
Antwyne shares, “Do what’s right. Not what’s easy.”
Natalie Odis-Herrera
Natalie is a purpose-driven marketing leader passionate about using storytelling and strategy to drive social impact. Since joining YUPRO Placement, she has led the charge in developing and executing marketing initiatives that elevate the voices of STARs—individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes—and position skills-first hiring as a business imperative. From building integrated campaigns and employer outreach strategies to managing content, social media, and brand presence, Natalie ensures that every marketing effort reflects YUPRO Placement’s mission of equitable access to economic opportunity.
Her journey with the organization began as a contractor, where she delivered a strategic campaign to raise awareness of the skills gap affecting millions of Americans without four-year degrees. Now, she leads cross-functional marketing efforts that amplify YUPRO Placement’s programs, partnerships, and measurable impact on workforce equity. Natalie is deeply committed to work that not only informs and engages but also inspires employers to take action.
“Natalie shares, “I am proud to be part of an organization that challenges outdated hiring norms and exposes the silent barriers facing talent skilled through alternative routes (STARs). The time to diversify the workforce through inclusive, skills-based pathways is now—and I’m grateful to help lead that change.”Natalie shares, “I am proud to be part of an organization that challenges outdated hiring norms and exposes the silent barriers facing talent skilled through alternative routes (STARs). The time to diversify the workforce through inclusive, skills-based pathways is now—and I’m grateful to help lead that change.“
Lisa Basham
Lisa comes to YUPRO Placement with 10 years of experience in accounting and finance with a proven track record of success in managing full-cycle accounting duties. Her passion for precision and efficiency drives her to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner. Lisa thrives in problem-solving scenarios and has a strong background in implementing new accounting software and collaborating closely with project teams to ensure smooth transitions.
Lisa shares, “I am proud to be a part of an organization dedicated to making a real impact in the lives of those who seek to pursue a skills-first approach to their career pathway. By supporting STARs in the workforce to secure meaningful employment, we are providing opportunities for growth and empowerment. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to an initiative that creates pathways for people to build a better future for themselves and their families.”