This initiative, led by the Center for Youth and the Future of Work in partnership with exalt, will bring together leaders, practitioners, and researchers to explore systemic change and chart a bold, transformative vision for the future of our justice-involved youth. The symposium will feature curated sessions designed to foster dialogue and collaboration on topics such as reducing recidivism, expanding educational opportunities, supporting reentry into society, and promoting restorative justice practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with distinguished thought leaders and changemakers, including:
- Dr. Lisette Nieves, President of Fund for the City of New York, Co-Founder of the Center for Youth and the Future of Work.
- Dr. Noel Anderson, Co-founder of the Center for Youth and the Future of Work, Clinical Professor, NYU Steinhardt.
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Dr. Gisele Castro, Chief Executive Officer of exalt, advocating for alternatives to incarceration and workforce development opportunities for young people.
- Dr. Janelle Viruet, Executive Director, Center for Youth & the Future of Work
- Dr. Giza Lopes, Juvenile Justice Researcher, New York State Youth Justice Institute
- Andrea Armstrong, Esq., Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law,
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law - Dr. Travis Brown, Executive Director and Founding Principal, Pharos Academy
- Dr. Meisha Porter, Visiting Senior Fellow, The Center for Educational Innovation
- Dr. Richard Welsh, Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
- Sharif El-Mekki, Chief Executive Officer, The Center for Black Educator Development
- K. Bain, Founder & CEO, Community Capacity Development
- Michelle A. Henry, East Region Executive, Corporate Responsibility JP Morgan Chase
- Honorable Judge Bruna DiBiase
- Honorable Judge Gayle Roberts
- Jordan Stockdale, Deputy Comptroller of Policy, NYC
- David Parks, Managing Director, The Skill Mill
- Anila DeHart, Advisor & Researcher on Education–Workforce Coordination
- Andrew Friedman, Founder and President, AJF Investors
- DA Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney
Program Agenda
Justice-involved Youth Symposium
Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Monday, May 4, 2026
Advancing Youth Justice, Education and Workforce Opportunities
Sunday, May 3, 2026: Welcome Dinner
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Arrival & Registration
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
Welcome Remarks:
Dr. Lisette Nieves, President, Fund for the City of New York
Dr. Gisele Castro, Chief Executive Officer, exalt
Dr. Janelle Viruet, Executive Director, Center for Youth & the Future of Work
Keynote Speaker: Andrea Armstrong, Esq., Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Monday, May 4, 2024: Conference Day
8:00am – 9:15am: Light Breakfast
9:15am-10:00am: Welcome Remarks and Opening
Dr. Noel S. Anderson, Co-Founder, Center for Youth and the Future of Work, Clinical Professor, Education Leadership & Policy Studies, NYU Steinhardt
10:00am – 11:15am: Panel 1: Restoring Futures: K-12 Education and the Justice System
Dr. Travis Brown, Executive Director and Founding Principal, Pharos Academy
Dr. Meisha Porter, Visiting Senior Fellow, The Center for Educational Innovation (moderator)
Dr. Richard Welsh, Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
11:30am – 12:45pm: Lunch & Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker: DA Eric Gonzalez
1:00pm – 2:15pm: Panel 2: Models for Educational and Economic Mobility for Justice-involved Youth
Sharif El-Mekki, Chief Executive Officer, The Center for Black Educator Development (Moderator)
K. Bain, Founder & CEO, Community Capacity Development
Michelle A. Henry, East Region Executive, Corporate Responsibility, JP Morgan Chase
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT (2:15 – 2:30) What the Data Tells Us: Patterns, Gaps, and Systemic Insights
Giza Lopes: New York State Youth Justice Institute (Juvenile Justice Researcher) Giza Lopes, PhD – NYS Youth Justice Institute
2:30pm – 3:30pm: Panel 3: Ecosystem Partners
Dr. Gisele Castro, Chief Executive Officer, exalt (moderator)
Honorable Judge Bruna DiBiase
Honorable Judge Gayle Roberts
Jordan Stockdale, Deputy Comptroller of Policy, NYC
3:40pm – 4:40pm: Panel 4: Future of Work
Dr. Noel S. Anderson, Co-Founder, Center for Youth and the Future of Work, Clinical Professor, Education Leadership & Policy Studies (moderator)
David Parks, Managing Director, The Skill Mill
Anila Dehart, Advisor, Researcher, Executive Educator on education-workforce coordination and future-of-work, former Global Managing Director at Deloitte
Andrew Friedman, Founder and President of AJF Investors
6:00pm – 8:30pm: Closing Reception, Dinner and Award Recognition
*Optional and not part of the official programming. We would also like to invite attendees to join on May 2nd for an optional Oxford University Walking Tour from 2:00PM-4:00PM & Dinner at 6:00PM-8:00PM
Download AgendaEssential Packing List
As you prepare for an enriching journey to the Executive Leadership Summit at Rhodes House, Oxford, here are a few essentials to ensure you’re well-equipped for the English weather and the activities planned:
- Umbrella and/or Rain Coat
- Water-resistant Boots
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Dress code is business casual.
Must-Have Apps
To make your travel and stay as smooth as possible, we recommend downloading the following apps:
- UK ETA: UK Visas and Immigration – Apply for your visa. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- WhatsApp: For easy communication with the event organizers and fellow attendees. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- GWR (Great Western Railway) App: Plan your train journeys within the UK. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- South Western Railway App: Another handy app for train travel planning. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- Oxford Bus Company: Essential for navigating local bus routes in Oxford. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- FreeNow: A reliable taxi service app, since Uber is not available outside London. Download for iOS | Download for Android
- Royal Cars Oxford: An alternative taxi service within Oxford. Download for iOS | Download for Android
Travel & Accommodations
Recommended Accomodations
Britway Airport Transfers
- Website: Britway Airport Transfers
- Book in advance for a seamless experience.
- The driver will coordinate with you via WhatsApp for pickup.
- Travel time is approximately an hour, with costs ranging from £100 to £150.
Train
- Use the GWR App or South Western Railway App for train travel:
- Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, then the Great Western Railway to Oxford Station.
- The journey takes about 2 hours, with Rhodes House just a 19-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from Oxford Station.
- Costs range from £30 to £75.
Oxford Bus Company – The Airline Bus
- Leaves from Heathrow Terminal 5, stand 10. Get off at Gloucester Green, a 12-minute walk from Rhodes House.
- The bus journey lasts about 1.5 hours.
- Tickets cost £25 from Heathrow.
- The Airline Oxford Website | Email
Upon Your Arrival
Address: South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RG, England
Upon reaching Rhodes House, look for the iconic door and signage, easily identifiable by its proximity to notable landmarks such as the non-organic chemistry building and just around the corner from the Natural History Museum. For any immediate assistance or queries upon arrival, please contact Nathalie Garcia at +1 (978) 237-8753 or Janelle Viruet at +1 (917) 805-2336.
We’re excited to welcome you to this pivotal gathering of leaders, where you’ll gain invaluable insights, forge new connections, and discover fresh perspectives amidst the historical grandeur of Oxford.
