Gerald K. Smith, Ed.D., was President and CEO of YouthVille Detroit and was formerly the Regional Director of The Kellogg Youth Initiative Partnership in Detroit. Dr. Smith’s rich history of working in the area of youth development includes recruiting and training urban high school graduates for entrance into apprenticeship trade programs, working as a teacher in the Cleveland School District, as Executive Director of Franklin Wright Settlements, Inc. and Deputy Director for Family and Neighborhood Services for Wayne County.
Organizations and boards on which he serves include: Health Alliance Plan; New Detroit, Inc.; Black Family Development Inc. (Board President); United Way for Southeastern Michigan; Michigan Non Profit Association; Greater Detroit Area Health Council; National Association of Black Social Workers (Past National President); the City of Detroit Workforce Development Board; Michigan AIDS Fund; City Connect Detroit; Booker T. Washington Business Association; and the Mayor’s Transformation Committee.
In recent years, he volunteered five years of service to the Detroit Public Schools as Secretary of the School Reform Board. Dr. Smith has spent his entire life as an advocate for families, youth and communities, making a substantial difference in the lives of many young people.
Executive Assistant to the President:
Mattalyn Love Jones
Judith D. Jackson, President & CEO of YouthVille Detroit, holds a Master of Social Work/Policy and Planning and Community Organization from Washington University and is the Immediate Past National President of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc.
Formerly Executive Director of Franklin-Wright Settlements, Inc., Ms. Jackson has a wealth of human service management and program development experience as well as policy development background working for the advancement of families and neighborhoods. She has worked with Family and Neighborhood Services of Wayne County if Michigan, Department of Mental Health in the State of New York and with former Congressman Williams Clay. Active in civic and community affairs, she is the Vice President of Plymouth Educational Charter School, member of the Community Impact Council of United Way of Southeastern Michigan, University of Michigan Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning national board member, and Executive Board member of the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative.
Along with Dr. Gerald K. Smith, Ms. Jackson has helped establish YouthVille Detroit as an important resource for Detroit’s neighborhoods and its youth.
David R. Buckler, C.P.A. and Director of Finance of YouthVille Detroit, provides leadership in finance, technology and human resources. Mr. Buckler has extensive experience working for both non-profits and for-profit organizations. Prior to his 10 + years in non-profits, he was Director of Finance and CFO at Dykema Gossett a multi-office law firm, Senior Vice President and CFO at Michigan National Bank of Detroit (now merged into LaSalle Bank), and an Audit Supervisor at Deloitte & Touche CPA’s.
Mr. Buckler is an active community volunteer and currently services in leadership roles on the executive committee at Habitat for Humanity Detroit and in a treasurer-ship role at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Mr. Buckler has also taught accounting at Detroit College of Business (now Davenport University).
Administrative Assistant:
Krista Hardy
Anthony E. Thompson, Managing Director of YouthVille Detroit, is a licensed MSW Social Worker in the State of Michigan and holds a Master of Science from the University of Louisville. Formerly the Senior Deputy Director and COO for the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health, Mr. Thompson has been recognized as a change agent for stabilizing mental health organizations, as President and CEO of Wayne Center, CEO of the Pauline Warfield Lewis Center for the Ohio Department of Mental Health, and CEO of Woodside Hospital in Ohio. He is also a graduate of Leadership Youngstown. With a distinguished career spanning thirty years overseeing multi-million dollar budgets, managing and directing professional, nonprofessional and union employees and working with community agencies and civic groups, Mr. Thompson is well poised to provide leadership to YouthVille Detroit’s multi-tenant, multi-program center for youth.
Administrative Assistant:
Lynne Anne Huff
Lynn Burdell, Director of Programs of YouthVille Detroit is a Licensed MSW. She previously worked at Wayne Center, as Director of Clinical Programs, with the Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, as the Director of Special Projects and as Director of Youth Services for Wayne County.
Lynn has extensive administrative, management, program design, and development and implementation experience. She consults with human service organizations in the areas of strategic planning, clinical operations, administrative/management process and operations, auditing, policy and program development and organizational start up. She is active in the community through her civic involvement with four local and two state-wide boards. Additionally, she Co Chairs the Westminster Youth Connection at her church.
Administrative Assistant:
Lynne Anne Huff
Mattalyn Love Jones, Executive Assistant to the President of YoutVille Detroit, provides leadership and executive support assistance in the areas of governance (Board of Directors, Nominating Committee, Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee), administration, staff development and training.
Mrs. Jones was previously Director of Operations for Wayne Center, and Office Manager for Margo E. Williams & Associates Public Relations Firm. Her background also includes a 14-year history of numerous leadership positions with United Community Services, where she honed her skills as an executive support professional and manager in the areas of program, research, planning, and administration.
Mrs. Jones, a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, attended Wayne State University and Shaw College at Detroit. She is a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and The Arts League Community Council.