Thank You Lisa

I’ve always been amazed that the Youth Transition Funders Group has been able to endure more than 12 years without re-organizing. It’s a network of networks, drawn together by a shared vision that we can do more for our young people by working and learning together than if we operate independently. We’ve kept the workgroups focused on the three big public systems that impact young people – education, child welfare, and juvenile justice – because that’s how foundations structure their grantmaking. We come together as the YTFG to understand the emerging trends, cross-cutting issues, and absorb as much as we can from the other work groups.

We couldn’t have done this without the incredible leadership of Lisa McGill who has carefully guided YTFG as the director. However, all good things come to an end and Lisa will be leaving us. Lisa has been an extraordinary director. Carmen James Lane, from the Meyer Foundation and a long-time co-chair of YTFG, said, “Lisa McGill's capable, steady leadership helped develop YTFG into a robust, thoughtful, leading-edge network.  Lisa embraced the full breadth of YTFG's work with enthusiasm and care and never shied away from pushing the envelope in our communications and programs.  She always sought to bring the right voices to the table and expand YTFG's reach."  Personally I’ve been absolutely humbled by the depth that Lisa approaches issues. Her thoughtfulness in considering how race and class shape our assumptions and decision-making has made her an absolutely invaluable colleague.   

On behalf of the broad YTFG community, we thank you Lisa.