Senior Staff
Michelle L. Freridge, M.P.A., J.D., Executive Director
Michelle Freridge joined AYC as the Development Director in 2002, became the Program Director in 2007, and was tapped to be the Executive Director in 2012. She completed a B.A. at Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Western Michigan University before moving to Southern California in 1999. After more than 20 years of direct service, development, and management work in the non-profit sector, she attended Loyola Law School’s evening program and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. Ms. Freridge is an Adjunct Professor at University of the West, where she teaches MBA classes with a non-profit focus. Michelle sits on the Board of the Rosemead Kiwanis Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, and the Pasadena Community College President’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth to succeed in life.
Michelle Freridge joined AYC as the Development Director in 2002, became the Program Director in 2007, and was tapped to be the Executive Director in 2012. She completed a B.A. at Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Western Michigan University before moving to Southern California in 1999. After more than 20 years of direct service, development, and management work in the non-profit sector, she attended Loyola Law School’s evening program and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. Ms. Freridge is an Adjunct Professor at University of the West, where she teaches MBA classes with a non-profit focus. Michelle sits on the Board of the Rosemead Kiwanis Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, and the Pasadena Community College President’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth to succeed in life.
Maged Azer, Director of Finance & Operations
Mr. Azer joined AYC as the Director of Finance & Operations in October, 2016. He has a B.A. in Accounting and a Certificate in Business Education from the American University in Cairo. Prior to joining AYC he had 27 years in accounting and finance, with 18 of those years in management and executive positions. For the last 12 years, Mr. Azer was the Financial Manager at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (a joint powers authority between LA County and LA City) where he managed federal, state and county funds. At AYC Mr. Azer supervises a staff of five and is responsible for the processing of all transactions, cost allocation, bank reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, budgets, implementing policies and procedures and all financial reporting, GAAP, internal controls, and auditing. In addition, Mr. Azer oversees operations and human resources.
Mr. Azer joined AYC as the Director of Finance & Operations in October, 2016. He has a B.A. in Accounting and a Certificate in Business Education from the American University in Cairo. Prior to joining AYC he had 27 years in accounting and finance, with 18 of those years in management and executive positions. For the last 12 years, Mr. Azer was the Financial Manager at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (a joint powers authority between LA County and LA City) where he managed federal, state and county funds. At AYC Mr. Azer supervises a staff of five and is responsible for the processing of all transactions, cost allocation, bank reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, budgets, implementing policies and procedures and all financial reporting, GAAP, internal controls, and auditing. In addition, Mr. Azer oversees operations and human resources.
Kimberley Daughton, Senior Program Director
As the Senior Program Director, Kimberley Daughton is responsible for supervising the Employment Services and Youth & Family Services Departments and serving a lead role in program evaluation and staff learning at AYC. Ms. Daughton’s background ranges from various management positions at a multinational financial corporation to executive level management for nonprofit organizations. Prior to her role at AYC, Ms. Daughton was Associate Executive Director of a senior services organization, a Vice President of a health association, and a Director of Social Work, Mental Health, and Addiction departments of a nonprofit that provides services to individuals across the lifespan. Ms. Daughton’s formal education includes a Master of Social Work and a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Southern California. Ms. Daughton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the California State University, Northridge. Additionally, Ms. Daughton is a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) with certifications in LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy, CAAT Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
As the Senior Program Director, Kimberley Daughton is responsible for supervising the Employment Services and Youth & Family Services Departments and serving a lead role in program evaluation and staff learning at AYC. Ms. Daughton’s background ranges from various management positions at a multinational financial corporation to executive level management for nonprofit organizations. Prior to her role at AYC, Ms. Daughton was Associate Executive Director of a senior services organization, a Vice President of a health association, and a Director of Social Work, Mental Health, and Addiction departments of a nonprofit that provides services to individuals across the lifespan. Ms. Daughton’s formal education includes a Master of Social Work and a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Southern California. Ms. Daughton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the California State University, Northridge. Additionally, Ms. Daughton is a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) with certifications in LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy, CAAT Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
Nicholette Espinosa, Director of Educational Enrichment Services
As the Director of Educational Enrichment Services, Mrs. Espinosa oversees after-school and educational programs. She has more than 17 years of experience educating and managing youth programs. Mrs. Espinosa completed her B.A. at Cal Poly Pomona in 2005 and her Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2009 at Cal State Fullerton. She also completed her Site Supervisor Permit with Vanguard University in 2014 and her Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with UCLA in 2016.
As the Director of Educational Enrichment Services, Mrs. Espinosa oversees after-school and educational programs. She has more than 17 years of experience educating and managing youth programs. Mrs. Espinosa completed her B.A. at Cal Poly Pomona in 2005 and her Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2009 at Cal State Fullerton. She also completed her Site Supervisor Permit with Vanguard University in 2014 and her Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with UCLA in 2016.
Florence Lin, Community Relations Manager
As the Community Relations Manager at AYC, Ms. Lin oversees AYC's Community Outreach and Education activities, the Emergency Food Program, and maintains relations with local press including Chinese media outlets. She has managed numerous community programs including Voter Registration, Immigration and Naturalization, Health and Wellness Initiatives, CalFRESH Enrollment, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Parenting Education. She supervises and works closely with community and parent volunteers. This was also required of her prior position at AYC as ACE Program and Office Manager for 5 years, where she assisted with the Tobacco Education, Ms. Lin completed a Master of Education degree in 1986 after being a home economics teacher for 4 years. She is bilingual in Mandarin and English and trained and experienced in providing parent education curriculum in Mandarin Chinese.
As the Community Relations Manager at AYC, Ms. Lin oversees AYC's Community Outreach and Education activities, the Emergency Food Program, and maintains relations with local press including Chinese media outlets. She has managed numerous community programs including Voter Registration, Immigration and Naturalization, Health and Wellness Initiatives, CalFRESH Enrollment, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Parenting Education. She supervises and works closely with community and parent volunteers. This was also required of her prior position at AYC as ACE Program and Office Manager for 5 years, where she assisted with the Tobacco Education, Ms. Lin completed a Master of Education degree in 1986 after being a home economics teacher for 4 years. She is bilingual in Mandarin and English and trained and experienced in providing parent education curriculum in Mandarin Chinese.
Verena Kwan, Development Manager
As the Development Manager, Verena Kwan oversees individual donor development, fundraising events, and public relations. She brings 5 years of non-profit fundraising, marketing, and communications experience to the team. She has expertise in nonprofit capacity building and is knowledgeable about donor communities and philanthropy in Los Angeles County. Ms. Kwan is committed to expanding donor cultivation and stewardship to ensure the long-term sustainability of AYC’s programs and services. Ms. Kwan received her B.S. from the University of California, San Diego.
As the Development Manager, Verena Kwan oversees individual donor development, fundraising events, and public relations. She brings 5 years of non-profit fundraising, marketing, and communications experience to the team. She has expertise in nonprofit capacity building and is knowledgeable about donor communities and philanthropy in Los Angeles County. Ms. Kwan is committed to expanding donor cultivation and stewardship to ensure the long-term sustainability of AYC’s programs and services. Ms. Kwan received her B.S. from the University of California, San Diego.
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