John Valverde is president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. He joined YouthBuild in 2017 after decades of work as an advocate for creating access to opportunity and removing barriers for formerly incarcerated and marginalized people.
John began working with imprisoned individuals in 1992 to ensure access to HIV/AIDS counseling, high school equivalency instruction, alternatives to violence programs, and college education. In 1998, he co-founded Hudson Link for Higher Education, the first privately funded accredited college program in New York’s prisons.
As a leader of lived experience who was incarcerated at the age of 21, John is a true reflection of the importance of the healing and equity of second chances and example for the young people of YouthBuild who are seeking their own second chance.
John is a Marano Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Sector Skills Academy; a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow; co-chair of the National Service, Civic Engagement and Volunteering pillar of the Partners
Economic OpportunityEducationEnvironmental SustainabilityFinancial ServicesHealthHuman RightsInternational JusticeLivelihoodsLiving ConditionsPeacePeace and Human RightsPost-Secondary EducationSecondary EducationSustainable MarketsYouth Job Skills
Caribbean, Central America, Central and Southern Asia, Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South America, West and Central Africa
