KERRY-ANN ROYES

PRESIDENT & CEO, YWCA SOUTH FLORIDA, MIAMI

With about 140 employees, YWCA South Florida’s mission is to strive to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Royes has led YWCA South Florida since 2017 and has led it to secure record-setting donations and contracts.

EDUCATION: Florida International University (BA), Florida Atlantic University (MBA)

FIRST JOB: My first job was in 12th grade. … I had student work-study at a local chamber of commerce in Miami-Dade County, where I was taught to answer the phone with a smile on my face.

SOMETHING SURPRISING:
I reject the idea of being called a soccer mom because I am anything but that stereotype, but with a 16-year-old pro athlete, I am in fact a soccer mom.

INDUSTRY TREND: The rapid rise of AI. Especially as many nonprofits face an uncertain landscape of funding and support, we are looking into how technology can be leveraged to relieve the burden on our limited capacities.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER
“Photojournalism. I am in awe of the power of imagery and storytelling.”