MEET THE TEAM

---

Chief Executive Officer

 & 

Founding Advocate

Joy serves as the CEO & Founding Advocate at AIA. Joy has earned her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in Labor and Employee Relations, she went on to earn her Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University, Newark.  

Joy serves as the CEO & Founding Advocate at AIA. Joy began her career as a Job Coach serving the special needs employment services community. In the course of her career Joy has job coached many vulnerable populations including transitioning youth, adults with special needs, adults with mental illness, at-risk youth, and individuals and families receiving social services benefits.  It is her passion for employment and the mission that Everyone Can Work that brought forward the Employment Services Division of Advocates in Action.  

Joy founded Advocates in Action in 2016, with the mission to Be the Voice to those who don’t have one, through employment advocacy and encouraging everyone to embrace their story and give it the voice it needs.  

Joy is a published author, her inaugural book I Am Joy released in September 2019. I Am Joy is a peek into the life and the lessons that led Joy to the woman she is today. Her inspiring story of courage and perseverance is sure to inspire many!  

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Joy is a dedicated mother of two young men, Owen & Nathaniel. Joy is led by her strong faith in God, and it is this faith that drives all Joy’s projects. 

When she is not taking on the world, you can find Joy binging on reality tv and reading as many books as she can get her hands on. Joy began her career as a Job Coach, serving the special needs employment community. 

Chief Operating Officer

Ana serves as the COO for AIA. Ana is passionate about streamlining operations and implementing programs that bridge gaps and create life-changing opportunities. 

Ana earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Pace University and a Master’s of Public Administration from New York University. After a fellowship with Education Pioneers, Ana was brought on as the Founding Director of Operations at Roseville Community Charter School, where she led the creation of systems and managed schoolwide operations. Before coming to Advocates, Ana was the Program Director of StreetSquash, a youth development organization, in Newark, NJ. Through her nonprofit leadership experiences, Ana has empowered and advocated for those in vulnerable populations. 

When Ana isn't building operational systems, she's adventuring outdoors and traveling to new places. 

Director of Learning & Development

Innovative Learning Academy 

Cynthia serves as the Director of Learning & Development for the Innovative Learning Academy.

Cynthia is a life long learner—after earning her Master's degree in Education from Grand Canyon University, she entered the education world to explore her passion for learning and development. Driven by her enthusiasm to help others, she takes pride in providing the best instruction possible. 

As a Director of Learning, her goals are to design inclusive, engaging, and interactive training content.

 In her free time, Cynthia is a loving wife and mother, photographer, and adventurer.  

Director of Employment Services 

Everyone Can Work 

Renee is a problem solver, first and foremost. She started honing her creative out-of-the-box thinking as an Outdoor Education major at Montreat College, then took her skills around the world as she led groups in pursuing various experiential learning activities in Australia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois,  Oregon, and Costa Rica. These experiences opened her eyes to how diversification makes the world a better place. 

Closer to home, Renee found a way to combine her love of advocacy and her mission of empowering others as a Supports Manager for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with a focus on supported employment. 

After gaining experience in navigating the world of supported employment with neurodiverse individuals and attaining Qualified Professional status, Renee joined AIA to help expand their mission. She firmly believes that everyone can grow and learn when provided with the right tools and strives to find the right tools for everyone she supports. 

When she unplugs from a day of advocacy, Renee can be found on the salsa dance floor, exploring and camping in the mountains, or at home crafting.

Learning Experience Coordinator- 

Innovative Learning Academy 

Josiah is a naturally curious person and has a deep love for learning. He earned his Masters Degree from Johnson University and has always wanted to help people become the best versions of themselves. 

Josiah loves to create engaging educational content that draws in learners and encourages them to take ownership of the content.

Outside of work Josiah spends his time with his wife playing board games or cheering on his favorite baseball team.

Assistant Operations Manager- 

Visionary Ink Studio

Owen serves as the Assistant Operations Manager for the Visionary Ink Printing Studio.

Owen is Advocates resident photographer and editor extraordinaire. Owen takes his creative talents to the world of printing design in his role as the Assistant Operations Manager for the VIsionary Ink Studio.  

When Owen is not knee deep in Advocates content you can find him filming and editing as he prepares for his future as a #FilmDirector. 

Employment Specialist- 

Everyone Can Work 

Jason serves as an Employment Specialist for Everyone Can Work. 

Jason has attended Stockton University for four years after graduating high school pursuing a degree in education.

 Jason is studying to become a teacher, and AIA is an excellent experience to prepare him for teaching in a new way. Jason came to AIA through his knowledge of us from his father, The Influentials Podcast co-host. 

Jason is looking forward to meeting and coaching people.

. 

Creative Assistant- 

Visionary Ink Studio 

Sam serves as a Creative Assistant for Visionary Ink Studio.

Sam is a professional creative with a love for photography, graphic design and abstract art. Sam joins the Visionary Ink Studio Creative Team with a passion for creating unique designs for studio production. When Sam is not creating outstanding designs you can find him making music or enjoying nature. 

.