Yorri Berry, Ph.D

Elevating the voices of young people. That is what drives Yorri Berry in all facets of her work. As the NN4Y Director of Youth Partnerships, she has worked to build the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) into a formidable force. With increased geographic and demographic diversity, Yorri has positioned the NYAC to influence policy on a national and local level. Employed on consulting projects throughout the country, these extraordinary young leaders are working to find innovative ways to engage local youth in the movement to end homelessness.

Yorri has been involved in youth empowerment work since landing her first internship as a teenager with Breakthrough Collaborative in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a passionate leader who has designed and led campaigns advocating for equity and access to underserved youth. She is a respected speaker and workshop facilitator, having been featured at numerous conferences, and forums throughout the country.

She attended Spelman College and holds a B.A. from Loyola University, an M.A. and M.Ed. from Howard University, and a Ph.D from Pepperdine University; with research focusing on mindfulness and holistic educational practices promoting well-being and achievement. She was also the youngest graduate of the Summer Leadership Institute at Harvard University. Yorri was recently appointed by the Governor of Maryland to the Children’s Justice Act Committee and serves as an advisory board member of Futures Without Violence—working to end violence against women and children around the world.

Prior to joining the team, Yorri worked as Executive Director of an organization serving hundreds of families in DC’s most underserved communities. Previously she was the Chief Program Officer for a firm engaged in energy, information technology, and healthcare consulting; and has worked with and managed educational and community development projects for Martha’s Table, Inc., KIPP Los Angeles Schools, Communities In Schools, and the Children’s Defense Fund. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring, art shows, and traveling the world.