Yes She Can Inc., a White Plains, NY-based non-profit dedicated to providing job training, mentorship, and life skills for young women with autism, is pleased to welcome Westchester County resident Robin Davies-Small as its new Executive Director. Davies-Small takes the reins of the organization after Founder, and now President of Yes She Can, Marjorie Madfis, announced her retirement last year.
Robin Davies-Small
Davies-Small brings more than 30 years of managerial experience in non-profit programs providing services to people with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Most recently, Davies-Small was program director at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), where she developed and grew Shelanu, a social recreation program for young adults on the autism spectrum. Under her direction, the program expanded and has helped many individuals develop meaningful relationships and maintain friendships.
“I’m confident that Robin is the right person to take Yes She Can to the next level because I have experienced her work first-hand. My daughter was an early participant in the social program Robin created and ran at WJCS, and I was especially impressed with how she encouraged my reluctant daughter’s involvement. Robin has a deep understanding of the people we serve at Yes She Can, and an innate respect for them, which is a core requirement. Additionally, Robin’s impressive work experience, education, and entrepreneurial spirit combine to create the complete package necessary for Yes She Can to thrive in its next chapter,” said Madfis.
For nine years Yes She Can has provided an innovative, hands-on job skills training program and served more than 50 young women in Westchester County and the New York metro area. Each of trainees who enrolled in the program had a great desire to work and the potential but had no roadmap and onramp to employment until joining Yes She Can.
“I am so proud of the success we have achieved, with the help of many mentors, volunteers, staff, board members, and donors. We have improved the lives of dozens of young women, their families and our community. And we have made thousands of people aware of the employment needs and capabilities of people with autism,” said Madfis.
“I look forward to shepherding Yes She Can into its next decade of service by building on the programs Marjorie has developed, and preparing even more young women to join the workforce,” said Davies-Small. “Understanding the needs of our clients is critical to providing meaningful assistance, and I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know our trainees. Each day I’m more impressed by the skills and can-do attitude our trainees bring to their work every day.”
Davies-Small has a strong foundation on which to grow the organization, including a Master’s degree in educational administration with a specialization in nonprofit management. She earned her Bachelor’s in Science in elementary and special education from Boston University. Davies-Small was also awarded the Boston University Dean Arthur Herbert Wilde Society Award for Outstanding Achievement and Distinction in Service to the Profession.
More About Yes She Can
Yes She Can Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, founded in 2013, to help young women with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related learning and social disabilities prepare for employment and greater independence. Only 20% of adults with ASD are employed in the competitive workforce. Yes She Can’s professional coaches focus on building essential skills for any workplace including problem-solving, decision-making, business processes and communications, workplace social skills, emotional regulation and self-advocacy. Yes She Can operates Girl AGain boutique in White Plains, NY. Candidates for the program are welcome to apply. Contact Robin@yesshecaninc.org.
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