Youth Development Peer Network

Sangita Kumar is a results-based organizational development consultant and a skilled trainer dedicated to the empowerment of individuals and our communities. Her work over the past 6 years has allowed her to interact with a wide variety of organizations in business and non-profit sectors in the US and internationally.  Sangita's experience with these organizations ranges from, Systems Re-design, Cultural Competency Development, Professional Development, Strategic Planning, Program Design, and coaching.  Her combination of business management skills and passion for learning and change allow her to move flexibly and efficiently amongst diverse organizations. In 2007 Sangita spent a year working in Hyderabad, India as an organizational development consultant to IT firms and NGOs with overseas headquarters. In this role she provided cultural competency trainings and coaching to employees working in both Indian and US business contexts, translating cultural differences into behavioral strategies to enable smooth international working relationships. This tremendous learning opportunity allowed her the opportunity to deeply understand cultural differences between Western and Asian thinking styles.  For more information on Sangita check out her website at www.bethechangeconsulting.com.

Margaret Bacon Schulze is a freelance writer residing in San Francisco.  She writes primarily for community publications, including The Western Edition and Nikkei Heritage, a publication of the Japanese American historical society. She was a weekly contributor to The DailyOm, an inspirational website, and her writings are featured in The DailyOm Book, published by Hay House in 2008. For three years, she taught creative writing to youth at the National Office of Samoan Affairs, Youth Guidance Center, Log Cabin Ranch, and Newcomer High School through WritersCorps.  Margaret is currently working on a novel and a screenplay (or so she tells herself).

Victoria Welle has spent much of the past 15 years engaged in activism at the grassroots, national, and international level.  She has worked as a youth minister, legal advocate, political organizer, and relief worker.  As a result of her work Victoria has a strong interest in addressing how trauma affects individuals and communities, and the need to develop new models of holistic health care.  Victoria is currently studying issues of health, healing, and justice as a student at the Graduate Theological Union's Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.

Jason Wyman is the Program Manager of the Youth Development Peer Network. He has been a part of the YDPN for over 6 years. Jason has worked in youth development, community organizing, facilitation, and arts education for over 15 years. Jason is passionate about creating spaces for people to connect, learn, and grow together. When not working, Jason rejuvenates by cooking good food, conversing with friends, relaxing with his husband, and calling himself a writer. Someday soon he and his friend Greg will finally produce their show.