Organization: Reconcile New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Title: Program Manager of Employment & Alumni Services
Nominated by: Caitlin Scanlan, Chief Development Officer & Monique Robinson, Chief Program Officer
Toya joined Reconcile in 2022 as our Case Specialist for Employment Services. Since then, her role has expanded to support Alumni Engagement as well, and she became a Program Manager.
Toya stands out because she meets young people with care and steady guidance. She creates space where young people feel seen, supported, and motivated to reach for new possibilities. Her ability to build trust is essential to her success. Interns talk about how she listens, remembers the small details, and helps them find confidence in their own strengths. Employers say the same. They describe her as a partner. She brings clarity to their role, preparation, and follow-through that strengthens their teamwork and deepens their commitment to supporting new talent joining the workforce.
Toya’s work goes far beyond her daily responsibilities. She has expanded Reconcile’s Employment Partner portfolio. This has opened new doors for our participants and is helping Reconcile reach a 92% connection rate to employment and educational pathways. She has redesigned the career exploration experience so young people can better understand their talents and match them to real opportunities. At CK’s Southeast Regional Summit a few years ago and again at the recent CK Apprenticeship Pathways Cohort Training Session, she shared her belief that employer engagement is not a transaction but an investment in a stronger workforce, which resonated deeply with the audience.
Her work has also supported the organizationโs overall growth. Since 2022, enrollment has risen by 30% and annual graduates have tripled. Employers see Reconcile as a talent collaborator, due in large part to their work with Toya and the training program she has built with preparation, coaching, and matching. Her efforts ensure that young people move into the workforce feeling safe, stable, and ready to succeed, which strengthens outcomes for both the program and the broader community.
Her combination of heart, skill, and leadership embodies what it means to be a catalyst for change.
Toya has strengthened Reconcileโs impact in significant and measurable ways. Her leadership expanded our employer partner network dramatically. Initially, by rebuilding it after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and then by increasing our capacity by 50% from pre-Covid partnerships. Thanks to this effort, there has been a direct increase in job and education placement for young people, helping Reconcile to reach a placement rate of 92%.
A typical day for Toya is a steady rhythm of support, coordinating, and cheerleading. She starts each day joining our current cohort of trainees at Morning Circle and Word of the Day, connecting with new participants to start exploring their interests and pursuits, and touching base with Interns who are working one-on-one with her as they connect to their Externships beyond the Reconcile building. From there, workshops and career coaching begin. Tier 3 and 4 Interns are building resumes, researching possible pathways they may be interested in, building their LinkedIn profile, or learning about job readiness skills from one of our Employment Partner guest facilitators. By lunchtime, sheโll be down in the Cafรฉ greeting Employment Partners who come for lunch or offering a tour to a prospective partner.
Throughout the day, Toya is accessible, whether itโs a young person whoโs nervous, an Alum whoโs returned for advice, or an Employment Partner calling with an update. Sheโs always thinking ahead about the next Career Day, or a guest facilitator for a workshop, or coordinating a Behind the Business tour to explore whatโs possible in our community based on the current cohortโs interests. Sheโs also leading the Alumni Engagement team to ensure the transition from in-person training into the young personโs first year in their pathway is as successful as possible. Behind the scenes, she engaged in Reconcileโs data-informed practice, collaborating with our social services team and informing our overall workshop curriculum to achieve stronger outcomes.
Toyaโs days are full of pivots but also being intentional. She works on bringing as much structure and stability to her work with young people to ensure they receive the support they need to grow and thrive.
Catalyst Kitchens has amplified Toyaโs work by giving her opportunities to share her expertise and learn from peers in the network. Earlier this year, Toya served as a Train-the-Trainer during the Youth Apprenticeship Cohort site visit at Reconcile, guiding members through best practices in youth engagement, alumni leadership development, and partnership building with Employment Partners. Additionally, she engaged guests to experience Reconcileโs mission in action and host them at on-site activities, including Morning Circle, Word of the Day, and as they had fun discovering the city.
At the Southeast Regional Summit a few years ago, she recruited Employment Partners and served as a panelist. Her voice lends experience and techniques in how Employer Engagement is an investment in workforce strength. Catalyst Kitchens is a great place for Toya, a natural networker and generous with her time and resources. Sheโs formed relationships, created connections, and believes in the power of learning and growing, both for herself and our young people.
SPECIAL ALERT!
Thanks to a generous donation from a founding Catalyst Kitchens board member and friend of David Carleton, the Catalyst Kitchen’s Founder’s Fund has an opportunity to raise matching funds up to $5,000 during this year’s Catalyst for Change Award Season!
This is a time-limited opportunity to get your gift matched! Donate now by clicking the button below, before the window closes, to double your generosity and impact!
Here are the 2025 Catalyst for Change. As you read their stories, consider supporting the work of Catalyst Kitchens and our members, enabling the amazing impact of frontline staff like our nominees.
