Liu joins the global nonprofit’s diverse executive leadership team in support of opportunity youth in the U.S. and around the globe
ROXBURY, MA, February 16, 2021 — YouthBuild USA has announced the promotion of Weymouth resident Ophelia Liu to chief financial officer, where she is responsible for overseeing the organization’s finance department. Liu joins a diverse executive leadership team at this global nonprofit championing opportunity youth — young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed — as they earn the knowledge, training, and opportunities that lead to long-term professional and personal success.
Liu will lead the organization’s financial reporting, planning, analysis, grant control and statutory compliance efforts. She originally joined YouthBuild USA in 2018 as financial grants manager and accounting specialist and was later promoted to assistant controller. Her leadership has been integral to advancing the organization’s financial stability. She brings more than 15 years of finance and administrative experience from multinational, publicly listed companies.
“As an experienced finance professional, Ophelia brings a wealth of knowledge to our executive leadership team,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “Her financial expertise and perspective as a woman of color are essential as YouthBuild continues to make an impact for opportunity youth across the country and around the globe. I am so happy to have her leading this work.”
Of the six-member executive leadership team, three are women and the majority are people of color, advancing YouthBuild USA’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion under Valverde’s leadership.
Liu previously held leadership roles in finance and administration at Jardine Engineering’s Far East headquarters and Meidensha Corp.’s four Chinese regional offices. She was also the director of finance and administration at Quincy Asian Resources Inc., a nonprofit that supports Asian and immigrant residents on the South Shore of Massachusetts.
“Making positive change in the lives of young people is important, necessary work,” Liu said. “As CFO of YouthBuild USA, I have a special opportunity to position the YouthBuild movement for future success. I am happy and excited to fill this leadership role.”
In YouthBuild programs, opportunity youth pursue their education, prepare for future careers and grow into community leaders, building brighter futures for themselves and their neighborhoods. With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.
YouthBuild USA is the nonprofit support center for a global network of 290 local YouthBuild programs in 18 countries, with 233 programs in 46 U.S. states and territories and 57 programs in 17 other countries.
Liu received a Master of Science degree in professional accounting from the Open University of Hong Kong, a Bachelor of Science degree in business studies from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and an Associate degree in paralegal studies from Quincy College. She is a Designated Federal Grant Manager certified by the United States Department of Justice.
About YouthBuild
With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. At nearly 300 YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world, students reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities. To date, YouthBuild has partnered with more than 180,000 young people to dedicate over 50 million hours of service benefitting urban, rural, and tribal communities. YouthBuild strives to create a world where all young people are seen for their potential, and power to transform themselves and their communities. YouthBuild USA – the support center for the YouthBuild movement – strengthens YouthBuild programs through technical assistance, leadership development, innovative program enhancements, and advocacy. YouthBuild programs located outside of the United States are supported by YouthBuild USA’s international division, YouthBuild International.
For more information about the YouthBuild movement, YouthBuild USA, and YouthBuild International, visit YouthBuild.org.
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