Advocates in Action

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MEET THE TEAM

Joy England

Chief Executive Officer/Founder

Joy serves as the Founding Advocate for Advocates in Action. 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 began her career serving the supported employment community in 2003 as an Employment Specialist; she has dedicated her career to advocating for those who need support in finding their voice. 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.

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Ana Farinha

Joy England

Chief Operating Officer

Ana is passionate about streamlining operations and implementing programs that bridge gaps and create life-changing opportunities. She 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.

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Owen Dentz

Joy England

Cynthia Mixon

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.

Cynthia Mixon

Director of Learning & Development

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 Training Content Developer, 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.

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Marcia Smith

Cynthia Mixon

Marcia Smith

Employment Specialist

Marcia joins the Advocates team with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Marcia has previously served in leadership capacity dedicated to empowering and advocating for adults with special needs. Marcia is very excited to start the next chapter of her career in the Everyone Can Work department. Marcia’s passion is to humbly serve and to be a voice for those who do not have one. Marcia embraces the mission of Advocates as it aligns with her personal mission as well. When Marcia is not championing for those she serves you can find her cooking and enjoying the beautiful nature that surrounds her Pennsylvania home.

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CORE VALUES

We are advocates first. Empowering people to engage their

voice, through a person-centered approach. AIA is the bridge builder between peoples’ needs, wants and dreams. We are defenders with the understanding that advocating for others begins with empathy. We strive to take positive action to support others in their pursuit of excellence.

We promote a culture of respect and recognize that words and actions matter.We believe in equity, dignity and inclusion for each and every person. We represent and value diverse identities, recognizing that our differences make us strongerー all while learning from each other.

We are visionaries and boundary-pushers. We innovate to challenge assumptions and create sustainable change. We are tenacious in our efforts to address employment inequality and injustices. We are determined to influence a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and systems.

We encourage growth and curiosity. We are lifelong learners who explore bold ideas that inspire a culture of trust. Passion is at the forefront of who we are and the work that we do. Being passionate requires vulnerability and courage to push outside our comfort zones. We believe that effective leaders are agents of change, that lead by example and promote success for each individual they lead. Leadership is an act of intention, integrity and commitment. AIA believes firmly in these characteristics of the leaders we are and are becoming.