YES! Board and Advisors

Board of Directors

J. Manuel Herrera, Board Chair

Manuel, an elected official in San Jose/Silicon Valley, envisions the transformation of the public square in our communities and an emerging 21st Century politics that is whole, generative, and personally transformative. His career is in public policy and administration, working with city managers, elected officials, and nonprofit agencies. Currently, Manuel is writing a book entitled The Reconciliation of Love & Power, which is about integrating principles of the spiritual quest with public leadership, politics, and the public process. 

"I'm excited to serve on the YES! board because it partners with young changemakers in a global network that is ever vibrant and emergent.  YES! makes a difference by the way it brings heart and soul wisdom into its creative connections with young leaders."  

Karim Bishay, Treasurer

Karim, a two-time YES! Jam alumni and facilitator, is originally from Egypt and currently resides in Oakland, CA. He had founded his own business in Egypt, which he has now used to establish a social enterprise helping provide water to underserved communities.  Karim also founded and ran BetterMeans, a startup focused on providing enterprises with democratic organizational structures. He is currently a counselor, consultant, and facilitator and is very motivated to get people organized in the cause of justice and God's loving-kindness.

"I wholeheartedly believe in the subtle, hard-to-define, yet crucial work of YES!: liberating the minds and hearts of young changemakers, so they can individually and collectively carry out the change they hope to see in the world."

Renee' Wilson

For Renee', an actor, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker, living life to the fullest just comes naturally. Since leaving her hometown of New Orleans, she has worked on runways in New York, Miami and Los Angeles; taught acting, singing and songwriting internationally; starred in the Academy Award-winning film Ray with Jamie Foxx, co-produced and directed her first film; and released her debut CD, Voodoo Queen. Renee' is also actively involved with life-changing organizations in the Bay Area, such as the Pride Foundation (the largest employer of people with disabilities), HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere), and YES!, where she is a Jam alum and facilitator.

"I am very pleased to be a member of the YES! board.  I am looking forward to doing amazing things with this community and continuing the work that has impacted myself and so many throughout the years. Thank you so much for this opportunity to serve and be in partnership with you.  It is my privilege and honor."

Austin Willacy

Austin is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter who has toured extensively throughout the U.S and Europe as a member of The House Jacks, a multi-award winning a cappella rock band currently featured on The Sing Off on NBC and on Monday Night Football on ESPN. He is the director of 'Til Dawn, Youth in Arts' award-winning teen a cappella group and has facilitated over 35 youth retreats, as well as four Leveraging Privilege for Social Change Jams for YES!. He donates his musical talent to a wide range of educational, social and environmental organizations.
"As we get busier and busier, ever briefer exchanges pass for communication. Given the extent to which we are adept at not fully listening to one another, YES!'s work is more vital now than ever.  I am thrilled to be able to support an organization that exists to host and create spaces wherein people communicate truthfully, deeply and fearlessly, because it will take nothing short of that to reshape the world we are living in into the world we want it, and need it, to be."

Please note: This list represents currently active board members.  Some conversation is ongoing pertaining to the appropriate roles and titles for a number of others who have served YES! over the years and continue to be part of our work.

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Tracy Gary is joining the YES! team as our Development Advisor. Tracy is a nonprofit serial entrepreneur who has started and worked with others to build over 18 non-profits and multiple foundations. She is a donor activist and legacy advisor to many older and next generation family members, through her work with Inspired Legacies. Tracy is a long time fan and supporter of YES!, and aims to raise with others over a billion dollars for social justice during her lifetime. 

"Standing shoulder to shoulder with YES! Jam members and leaders is always an honor. We have a world to reboot. I cannot think of a better organization and team to partner with to make change happen intergenerationally.  Count me in!" 

In Memoriam:
Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993), founder of United Farm Workers and a leading voice for the rights of farm workers in the United States and the rights of migrant workers worldwide, learned of YES!'s vision in 1990 and was inspired enough by our vision to lend his name on our board of advisors and to offer his love and blessing.  His life and legacy are a source of profound inspiration to YES!, and we are deeply grateful to honor his memory through our work.

David Brower  (July 1, 1912 – November 5, 2000), founder of Earth Island Institute, Friends of the Earth, League of Conversation Voters, and The Sierra Club Foundation, led the campaign to save the Grand Canyon and helped to establish the national wilderness preservation system.  He was a supporter of YES! from our beginnings in 1990, participating in multiple board meetings, and speaking at our five YES! events and press conferences.  At the 1996 World Youth Leadership Jam, guest presenter David Brower was asked what gave him hope for our planet’s future, and he responded: “This Jam and the young leaders here are what give me hope for our future.  To overcome the challenges facing our world today, young people must take the future into their own hands.  What inspires me most about this camp is that these young people are not working with false idealism.  They are organized and practical in implementing positive programs that are really making a difference.  And as of this Jam, they are working together.”

River Phoenix  (August 23, 1970 — October 31, 1993), an Oscar award-winning actor whose performances touched hearts and inspired imaginations, River also had a deep commitment to animal rights and sustainability.  Indeed, he looked at his career as having value insofar as he could leverage it to make a difference in the world.  His family was among the first major financial supporters of YES!'s work, and his siblings and mother have continued to support YES! in the years since his passing.  River's life and work were among the many inspirations for YES!'s Leveraging Privilege for Social Change program.