John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA, has been named one of 2024’s Most Influential Bostonians by Boston magazine.
The coveted list pays tribute to the leaders, movers, and shakers who are “steering the ship in this brave new world” and “shaping a new and vibrant Boston.” John joins Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu, Senator Ed Markey (a YouthBuild champion!), Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan (a YouthBuild partner!) and, of course, actress and comedian Ayo Edebiri, among other notable Bostonians.
John sees opportunity youth — young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed — as our greatest untapped resource. As the first formerly incarcerated CEO of a global nonprofit, his lived experience and empathetic leadership help equip YouthBuild students with the education and job training they need to reinvent themselves, unleashing their power through support, love and belonging. John’s work and vision open doors of opportunity all around the world – this high-profile recognition is a testament to that.
We congratulate our president and CEO on this well-deserved honor!
