The Forum for Youth Investment today announced that Mishaela Durán has resigned from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to pursue other professional interests. The Board thanks Mishaela Durán for her leadership and vision during her tenure. Under her guidance, the Forum highlighted the critical importance of engaging those with lived experience and it launched the Building Ecosystems Statewide for Thriving (BEST) Youth Initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for youth ages 5-24 through collaborative, cross-system strategies.

The Forum for Youth Investment is committed to ensuring all young people achieve their full potential in education, work, and life and has appointed Judy Seltz as its new interim CEO. Ms. Seltz is a veteran educational leader and former Forum board member who will guide staff as they continue to deliver on the Forum’s mission and ensure that programs and people dedicated to youth success are fully supported. The Forum’s Board of Trustees remains confident in the organization’s strength and future, notably the core work of the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. For more than 25 years, the Forum has been a leader in advancing equitable opportunities for youth through its focus on quality capacity building and policy action across systems and sectors.

Forum Board Chair Bryan Samuels stated, “The Board is fully engaged in continuing to advance the Forum’s progress and impact while thoughtfully identifying the leadership needed for the next era. Our commitment to ensuring all young people have opportunities to thrive remains unwavering.” The Forum remains committed to the core priorities: strengthening youth-serving programs, building capacity for leaders, and shaping policies that make systems work better for all youth. We remain focused on delivering impact and ensuring that our work continues to support youth and the communities that serve them.