City Year Executive and Leadership Team

Jim Balfanz, the Chief Executive Officer at City Year, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the national network of AmeriCorps members, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the mission to improve graduation outcomes in high-need urban schools. This leadership role involves managing complex public-private partnerships and securing philanthropic support to sustain operations across the country. By championing the Long-Term Impact strategy, Jim Balfanz drives the expansion of the urban graduation pipeline. The Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for fiscal responsibility and organizational efficiency, consistently earning top ratings for financial health. Through collaboration with school districts and government entities, the Chief Executive Officer scales the reach of service programs. Ultimately, Balfanz secures the future for thousands of students by fostering an environment where academic support and mentorship thrive within the classroom setting.

Elie Torgow, the Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Group at City Year, directs specialized initiatives focused on organizational growth and external partnerships. Overseeing the development of high-impact collaborations, the Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Group ensures that the organization leverages private sector expertise to enhance service delivery. This role involves identifying new opportunities for philanthropic engagement and scaling the impact of the AmeriCorps model. By fostering relationships with corporate partners, Elie Torgow strengthens the public-private partnership framework that sustains the mission. The Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Group coordinates with regional leaders to ensure that external resources align with the specific needs of urban schools. Through the execution of targeted growth strategies, the Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Group expands the reach of the graduation pipeline. Ultimately, Torgow drives the organizational capacity required to transform the future for thousands of students across the country.

George Chu, the Chief Financial Officer at City Year, manages the fiscal health and resource allocation for the entire organization. Overseeing the complex budget required for national service operations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that philanthropic support and government funding are utilized with maximum efficiency. This role involves maintaining the rigorous financial standards that keep the organization in the top tier of non-profits nationwide. By monitoring revenue streams and expenditure patterns, George Chu provides the financial stability needed to sustain programs in high-need urban schools. The Chief Financial Officer works with the Board to ensure transparency and compliance across all regional affiliates. Through strategic financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of the urban graduation pipeline. Ultimately, Chu protects the long-term viability of the organization, ensuring that resources reach the students and classrooms that require support the most.

Larry Sedgwick, the Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Office of at City Year, manages the day-to-day operational logistics that enable service in urban schools. Overseeing the implementation of school-based support programs, the Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Office of ensures that AmeriCorps members have the resources required to assist teachers and students effectively. This role involves monitoring the operational performance of regional sites to maintain high standards of service delivery. By streamlining the logistics of the classroom support model, Larry Sedgwick improves the efficiency of the organization's impact. The Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Office of works to ensure that operational processes are scalable and sustainable across the national network. Through the management of daily service operations, the Director, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Office of supports the long-term goal of increasing graduation rates. Ultimately, Sedgwick ensures that the organization's operational capacity remains robust and responsive to the needs of students.

Sarah Allyn, the Chief of Staff at City Year, coordinates executive operations and facilitates communication across the leadership team. Managing the daily workflow of the executive office, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities remain the primary focus for all departments. This role involves synthesizing data from various regional sites to support decision-making processes that impact student success. By streamlining internal processes, Sarah Allyn enhances organizational capacity and operational efficiency. The Chief of Staff works closely with the Board and senior leadership to translate the mission into actionable initiatives. Through careful oversight of cross-functional projects, the Chief of Staff maintains the integrity of the public-private partnership model. Ultimately, Allyn optimizes the internal infrastructure, allowing the organization to serve high-need schools with greater precision and effectiveness while supporting the broader goal of increasing graduation rates nationwide.

Paul Moeller, the Chief Information Officer at City Year, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support nationwide service operations. Overseeing the integration of data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that staff and AmeriCorps members possess the tools required to track student progress effectively. This role involves managing cybersecurity protocols and cloud-based platforms that connect regional offices across the country. By modernizing technical resources, Paul Moeller improves the efficiency of the organization's reporting and impact measurement. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other leaders to align technology investments with the long-term strategy for scaling the graduation pipeline. Through the implementation of scalable software solutions, the Chief Information Officer supports the data-driven approach to classroom and school-wide support. Ultimately, Moeller secures the digital foundation that enables the organization to maintain its high standards for organizational capacity and fiscal transparency.

Joy Azikiwe-Oyeyemi, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Amp, Amp at City Year, manages the talent strategy for the organization's staff and AmeriCorps members. Overseeing recruitment, training, and retention, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Amp, Amp ensures that the workforce remains equipped to provide high-impact support in urban schools. This role involves developing inclusive policies that foster a culture of service and professional growth. By optimizing human capital, Joy Azikiwe-Oyeyemi strengthens the organizational capacity to meet the needs of students nationwide. The Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Amp, Amp collaborates with regional leadership to ensure that service teams are prepared for the challenges of the classroom environment. Through the implementation of comprehensive development programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Amp, Amp supports the long-term mission of the organization. Ultimately, Azikiwe-Oyeyemi builds the team that drives the graduation pipeline.

Tara Carr, the Chief of Staff, Advancement at City Year, coordinates the strategic efforts of the advancement department to secure necessary funding and support. Overseeing the alignment of fundraising initiatives with the organization's long-term impact goals, the Chief of Staff, Advancement ensures that philanthropic resources are directed toward high-need urban schools. This role involves managing the communication between the advancement team and other executive functions to maintain a unified approach to donor engagement. By streamlining the advancement process, Tara Carr enhances the organization's ability to scale its impact nationwide. The Chief of Staff, Advancement works to translate the mission into compelling narratives that attract foundations and corporate partners. Through the coordination of complex advancement projects, the Chief of Staff, Advancement supports the overall financial health of the organization. Ultimately, Carr drives the resource acquisition that allows AmeriCorps members to provide essential support to students on the path to graduation.

Rebecca Berne, the Senior Vice President, Executive Office and Deputy Chief of Staff at City Year, manages the operational flow within the executive office. Overseeing the execution of high-level projects, the Senior Vice President, Executive Office and Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that the leadership team remains focused on the core mission of student success. This role involves facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to address the needs of urban schools across the country. By refining internal processes, Rebecca Berne improves the efficiency of the executive decision-making cycle. The Senior Vice President, Executive Office and Deputy Chief of Staff works to ensure that strategic initiatives are implemented consistently across all regional sites. Through the management of complex administrative functions, the Senior Vice President, Executive Office and Deputy Chief of Staff supports the organization's capacity to scale its impact. Ultimately, Berne maintains the operational rigor required to keep students on track to graduate.

Caitlin Ameral, the Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff at City Year, supports the executive leadership in driving the organization's strategic objectives. Overseeing the coordination of key initiatives, the Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that the mission of helping students succeed remains central to all operations. This role involves managing the logistics of national service programs and facilitating communication between regional offices and the headquarters. By optimizing the workflow of the executive team, Caitlin Ameral enhances the organization's ability to respond to the needs of high-need urban schools. The Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff works to align departmental goals with the long-term strategy for increasing the graduation pipeline. Through the management of critical administrative tasks, the Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff supports the overall efficiency of the organization. Ultimately, Ameral ensures that the leadership team remains effective in its commitment to student and school-wide support.