New Rochelle Native Named 1 Of NY's Nonprofit Rising Stars

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Erica Ayala, Project Manager with Westchester Children’s Association (WCA), was named by New York Nonprofit Media as one of 40 of New York’s rising stars in the nonprofit world under the age of 40. The class of 2017 is the third such class for this recognition that serves to celebrate the accomplishments of nominees from New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley, according to a spokeswoman.

Ayala joined WCA in the spring of 2016. Her focus is to advance the Gathering Policy Solutions for Kids (GPS4Kids) Collective Impact Initiative. She has more than 10 years of non-profit and corporate leadership training and development experience.

Prior to joining WCA, Erica was the Youth Leadership Development Associate at the Children’s Defense Fund-New York office. She was profiled as a Champion for Change for Children by the Children’s Defense Fund during the organization’s 40th Anniversary (2013). Erica received a B.A in Political Science from Elon University in 2008 and received her Masters of Public Administration at New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service in May 2016. Raised in New Rochelle, Erica currently resides in Manhattan.

When asked about what was the best part of her job, Erica's response was, "I’ve spoken and served alongside champions for children like Judge Judith Kaye and Michael Tubbs, the youngest mayor in the history of Stockton, California, and countless other community leaders. The best leaders tend to be the ones who are willing to set titles aside and uplift the best ideas."

The 40 Under 40 Awards event took place on July 19 at the Capital Grille in New York City.

Photo credit: Submitted.