LAURIE ISHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Laurie Isham founded and incorporated Pro-Youth in 1993 and has developed a highly successful non-profit organization in Tulare County. As CEO and Founder of Pro-Youth, Laurie provides leadership and vision to Pro-Youth and the HEART After-School Program and supervises and supports over [an error occurred while processing this directive] employees to ensure a high-quality after-school program for the children of Tulare County. In her leadership role, Laurie strengthens relationships with community partners and develops and fosters strong working alliances with community collaborators and program donors.

Laurie is an expert in networking through federal and state governmental agencies, local business, educational systems, and community members.

Laurie provides an experienced voice in addressing educational and enrichment opportunities for youth in an effort to create a safe community and is dedicated to maintaining a reputation built on service and uncompromising ethics. As a committed advocate for children and families, Laurie focuses on creating opportunities that provide hope and advancement for at-risk children and is devoted to the vision of a safe, educational and enriching atmosphere for every child.

Achievements include:
“Woman of the Year” – California 16th Senate District
“Woman of the Year” – Visalia Chamber of Commerce
Inducted into the Education Hall of Fame in Recognition of Outstanding Service to Schools Children and Youth – Visalia Unified School District
“Women of Distinction for Human Rights” – Soroptimist International
Awarded “Distinguished Service to Education” – Phi Delta Kappa International Award
Recipient – “Liberty Bell Award – Upholding High Standards of Justice in the Community”
Instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 854 for timely funding for After-School Programs
Designee, Regional Advisory Council – Region 7 After-School Programs
Designee, League of California After-School Providers
Designee, Governor’s Design Team for Expansion of Statewide After-School Programs for California – Rollout of Prop 49
Member, Statewide Initiative Team to Establish Exemplary Practices for After-School Programs
Co-Founder, Tulare County Alcohol Center for Teenagers, Tulare County
Co-Founder, Tulare County Annual College Night
Member, Rotary Club of Visalia
Member, Tulare County Symphony League

LOU FERNANDEZ, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

As Operations Director for Pro-Youth and the HEART After-School Program in Tulare County, Lou oversees the fiscal management and the after school grants – currently 22 elementary and middle schools with 3,000 students attending daily and three high schools with 400 students. A key member of the Pro-Youth Executive team for the past twelve years, Lou develops and implements operational policies and controls to ensure Pro-Youth’s financial strength and operating efficiency; manages and directs administrative support staff, training functions and a staff of 250 site employees who are responsible for direct services to students. Core responsibilities include fiscal controls and grant reporting, working directly with school district administrators and principals and insuring effective program implementation and excellence across all sites.

Lou was appointed by Governor Schwarznegger to the State-wide Advisory Committee on Before and After School Programs in California as part of the implementation of Proposition 49 which funds the largest allocation of after school programs in the nation - $550 million. The Committee works closely with the California Department of Education which administers Prop 49 and Federal 21st Century after school grant funds in the State.

Lou’s experience includes 24 years in public service with manpower programs in Fresno and County administration in Fresno and Tulare counties. Lou has worked in managing fiscal and departmental programs and served as Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Tulare.

A native of Zimbabwe, Lou received his B.A. from Marquette University and did graduate work at CSU Fresno.

BETH RUMERY, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Beth Rumery has worked with Pro-Youth since April 2008. She has more than twenty years of experience in executive positions with firms ranging from professional services industries such as architecture, engineering and construction management to the manufacturing sector. Her background includes general business management, organizational and staff development and human resources.

As the Human Resources Director for Pro-Youth, Beth works with a very capable staff to provide oversight for all H.R. functions, while maintaining a focus on staff development and assessing the needs for organizational growth and change. An area of particular interest is working with teams to design workflow improvements in ways that provide learning and growth for staff while creating increased business efficiency.

Beth has a national certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, a graduate degree in Organizational Management and an undergraduate degree in liberal arts.

PETER SODHY, VICE PRESIDENT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

Peter Sodhy joined Pro-Youth in September 2007. His 25+ years of experience includes Technology Management at a Fortune 500 company, as well as Executive Management at a Southern California High-End Technology Implementer.

In his capacity as VP of Systems Management, Peter’s primary focus is the intelligent application of technology and processes to improve the delivery of Pro-Youth’s mission. In this role, he works directly with all levels of the organization to develop and deploy solutions for HEART sites as well as for administrative support.

Peter holds a Masters in Technology Management as well as a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.