A Teen's Potential Is Our Passion - A place where teens can actualize their highest potential
 Board of Directors
 
Chairman of the Board/CEO: Jani McGuire

Jani founded AYM in 2007, and made it into a 501(c)(3) non profit in 2009. Her 20 years of experience in transformational work, 8 years as a Life Coach, founder of W.I.S.E. Women's Inner Source of Empowerment, and 3 years as the Youth Director for The Centers for Spiritual Living have all prepared Jani for this work. Jani is honored to lead the powerful and gifted group of people that serve on her Board.
 
 
 
Vice President/COO: David McGuire

David has over 20 years of experience working with adults in leadership programs. He is the founder of Fall Forward Productions, a company dedicated to human potential, and is a master facilitator of the Personality Matrix workshops. David was the Co-Director of the youth group with Jani at The Centers for Spiritual Living from 2009-2010. 
 
 
 
 
Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator: Lisa Stewart

Lisa is a native of the San Fernando Valley and has lived in the Conejo Valley for 10 years. She earned her Real Estate license in 1998, and became a broker in 2004. Prior to real estate, Lisa spent her career in positions that have focused on customer service and marketing. She was the Customer Relations Manager for a large automobile dealership in the San Fernando Valley and coordinated specialized marketing campaigns and private sales between credit unions and automobile dealerships. She also worked in the corporate travel department for Paramount Studios, and has held insurance licenses in Personal Lines (auto and home) and life.
Along with her husband Mark, Lisa founded the independent real estate brokerage firm, JML Properties in October 2003. Lisa has been with AYM since its inception, and has served on the board for over two years.

Treasurer - Finance/Accounting: Mike Sandler CPA

VP Finance – Cheetah Software Systems
Michael Sandler rejoined Cheetah in October 2002 as Controller.  Mr. Sandler worked as Controller for Cheetah from 1993 to 1997.  During that period, he supervised Cheetah’s rollouts for Circuit City and Sears Logistical Services.  Mr. Sandler has been a controller for more than 14 years and has over 5 years experience in Public Accounting.  Mr. Sandler has provided financial services for companies in the service, wholesale distribution and high tech industries.  Mr. Sandler is a Certified Public Accountant and has an M.B.A from California State University, Northridge.  He did post degree study in Accounting at UCLA.
 

Community Outreach: Ray Hughes

After finishing his studies at Southern California Institute of
Architecture (SCI-Arc) and the University of Southern California, Ray
started working as a freelance designer; first in the film and
television industry as a Set Designer/Art Director then eventually
becoming a Production Designer working on award winning television
commercials. Currently he is the Designer and Project Manager with Abode Communities, a development, architecture, housing and residential services firm in Los Angeles California. Ray also designs and remodels private residences ranging from contemporary and modern style homes to 100 year old California Craftmans.
As a first year Board member with Awakening Young Minds and head of the Community Outreach Committee Ray's goals are to take the organization into many communities and to help as many kids as possible so that they can become viable young adults.

 
School Outreach: Patty Fuentes Gamboa

Patty was born in Mexico City, Mexico.  At the age of 5 years old her parents moved to Southern California. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and in 1997 graduated from Loyola Marymount University. She received a
BS in Mathematics.  In 2001, Patty received a MA in Statistics from UCSB, and has been teaching Middle School Mathematics for the past 7 years.  She is passionate about educating the youth so that they can enroll in a University.  Patty says that the best part of her job is having the opportunity to mentor her students.  She has found that it is important to understand the issues that her students face at home, in the community, and at school.  Middle school students face many social issues, such as trying to fit in, peer pressure, and self-esteem issues.  Having her students attend an AYM workshop has helped her as a teacher to address their social and emotional issues that she could not have done in her classroom before.
She has been involved with coaching teens since 2006, starting with The Torch Foundation and has been working with AYM since 2010.  Her vision is to empower teens so that they see their potential and become responsible, loving, and giving leaders of their communities.
It takes a village to raise a child; AYM is a key ingredient necessary in every school.


Advisory Board

Gayle Marano Brown MFT
Gayle Marano-Brown, has worked as a Special Educator for thirty years, with an emphasis on building students’ strengths and talents, as opposed to focusing on weaknesses.  She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a natural ability to gain the trust of those she works with.  Her compassionate, honest and forthright approach enables Gayle to empower others to believe in themselves and to actualize their dreams. 
She knows that AYM is a powerful venue to help youth break through the boundaries that limit their beliefs and experiences, and to help them to soar to their highest potentials.
** Gayle serves as our Emotional Education consultant, and also as the on-call therapist during the AYM workshops.
 
Ronald G. Harrington - Attorney at Law
Owner/President of  Law Offices of Ronald G. Harrington. Has over 30 years experience in law, specializing in Will's, Real Estate, Probate, Trust & Estate Law.  Ron has been with the organization since 2010, and serves as an adjunct Board Member and legal adviser.
 
Courtney Conte - COO BBC Worldwide Productions
Courtney Conte joined BBC Worldwide Productions in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer and reports into Jane Tranter, Head of BBC Worldwide Productions.  In his role, Conte works with Tranter to help develop and manage the company’s business strategy, as well as overseeing the production management for BBC Worldwide Productions’ scripted and unscripted programming.  
Prior to joining BBC Worldwide Productions in 2010, Courtney was Co-President/ Head of Production at Carsey-Werner, which he joined in 1993.  He was responsible for over 2,000 episodes of primetime television including such hits as The Cosby Show,Roseanne,Grace Under Fire,3rd Rock From the Sun,Cybill,Grounded for LifeandThat 70's Show.
Concurrent with his role at Carsey-Werner, Courtney was named Senior Vice President of Production at Oxygen, where he facilitated the launch of the network and led all west coast production.