Nonprofit Professional Kaleena Escallier To Receive Young Alumni Achievement Award | Westminster College | News & Blog
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Nonprofit Professional Kaleena Escallier To Receive Young Alumni Achievement Award
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Nonprofit professional
Kaleena
Escallier
from Chicago, IL, Class of 2005, will receive the Westminster College Young Alumni Achievement Award on Saturday, April 13, during the College’s Alumni Weekend.
Last year
Escallier
became Senior Manager
of
Community Strateg
for the YMCA of the USA
’s Knowledge Management department
in Chicago.  In this position, she networks with local and national YMCA leaders to share knowledge, ensure social engagement and contribute
to the
launch of a national networking and knowledge sharing platform designed to serve the Y’s thousands of staff and volunteers nationwide.
When
Escallier
first came to Westminster she did not see herself as a leader and had no idea she would earn a degree in education.  “I lacked the confidence in myself to share my thoughts, ideas and opinions,” she explains.  “The intentional leadership of Westminster faculty, staff, and students helped build my confidence through
experiences that
help
ed
me find my place, my voice, and my purpose to lead.”
After earning her elementary education degree at Westminster,
Escallier
began her career teaching a diverse group of 60 inner-city youth at
a Chicago-based charter school before pursuing a career in camping services
In 2010, she became Director of Youth and Family Services at Cole Center Family YMCA in Kendallville, IN, where she directed a variety of
camps,
programs and events for children, families and the community.
Escallier
became Senior Director of School-Age Youth Development at McGaw YMCA Children’s Center in Evanston, IL in 2014.
In 2017, she took a position as Technical Advisor for the Evidence-Based Youth Development-Achievement Gap Program of the YMCA of the USA where she supported
over
50
different program
teams
across the western United States and Alaska in implementing summer learning and after-school achievement gap programs.
“In the years since I have left Westminster, I have learned that my purpose is to support emerging leaders in realizing and reaching their full potential,”
Escallier
says.  “While my background is in youth development, I’ve learned that
developing
tomorrow’s leade
rs empowers
them to do the same for the next generation.
Her goal is to complete her MBA in non-profit organization management
while
obtaining her organizational leadership certification through the YMCA.
This summer
Escallier
plans to volunteer for the Sioux YMCA’s youth programs in Dupree, SD.
I’ve learned that l
eadership isn’t always being the person standing at the front of the room, speaking the loudest and commanding respect from the people who surround you,” she explains. “True leadership transpires in a
variety
of ways
.  L
eaders walk alongside
and responsibly empower others
to think critically, innovate and
solve problems
Strong
leaders have a clear vision and inspire others to want to be a part of bringing that vision to life.”
The Young Alumni Achievement Award is presented annually to alumni who demonstrate the Westminster mission through outstanding achievement early in their chosen career and/or dedicated leadership and service to their community and who have graduated within the past 15 years.
Escalolier
will receive her award at a special Alumni Honors Convocation Ceremony to be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin,
Aldermanbury
. The award is approved by both the Alumni Council and the Board of Trustees. Only two alumni can receive the award annually.
Westminster College
This is the editorial account for Westminster College news team. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or comments.
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