Founded in 2008, Foster Youth in Action works with youth-led groups in 20 states. Photo courtesy of Foster Youth in Action.
Foster Youth in Action recently named Liz Squibb as interim executive director for the Berkeley, Calif.-based advocacy organization. Squibb will step into the new position after former executive director Matt Rosen stepped down last month.
Foster Youth in Action (FYA) is a member organization that represents youth-led organizations that aim to give voice to young people with an experience of the foster care system. FYA provides training and leadership development to 23 organizations in 20 states across the U.S. and Canada, according to its website.
“It feels wonderful to be the interim director,” said Squibb. “I’m happy to be back into foster youth work.”
Liz Squibb
Before accepting the role of interim executive director, Squibb had a long history of leadership in nonprofit and community-based organizations. Her experience includes working to impact the outcomes of youth through organizations such as Jim Casey Youth Opportunities, the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
As an interim executive director, Squibb must guide the organization through a pivotal transitional period. She said her main goal is to get to know everything and everyone involved in the organization while ensuring that things run smoothly during the search for a permanent executive director.
“I want to ease anxieties that there are and make sure everyone knows there is a strong future for FYA,” Squibb said.
“Young people need to be front and center so I’m going to listen to their voices,” said Squibb. “I’ll lean on them and listen to what they need.”
Squibb started the new position in October.
