The White Plains Youth Bureau has touched thousands of young lives since the Mayor and Common Council made it a formal office of city government in 1970. The White Plains Youth Bureau has one mission: helping youth grow into successful adults. Today, the Youth Bureau works with over 2000 youth each day with 50 programs backed by our proud tradition of 45 years of service.
As funds from the government are reduced for youth-serving programs at times and with a high-level of competition but scarce grant availability, The Friends of the White Plains Youth Bureau was started to assist the Youth Bureau in its mission of impacting White Plains youth by being an ancillary fundraising arm. The Friends are comprised of key stake holding individuals from across Westchester County that volunteer their time to see the Youth Bureau scale.
The Board
Born and raised in White Plains, Renée Willis Smith considers herself an alumna of the White Plains Youth Bureau. Giving back is at the core of her values, which is why it was easy to say yes at the opportunity of becoming a founding member of the Friends of White Plains Youth Bureau where she also serves as President. Renée is also a founding member of American Women of African Heritage, Inc. (AWAH) and currently serves as a Director on Pace University’s Lubin School of Business Alumni Board. And if that isn't enough, she has embarked on a new journey with the creation of In Our Own Image, a jewelry company with a focus on empowering women to embrace their personal image. Renée resides in New York City with her husband, is a collector of shoes and considers bacon a food group.
Monica C. Andralliski is a resident of White Plains for many years. Educated in the White Plains School District and during high school was an active member of the White Plains Youth Bureau. She has held positions in Office management and Human Resources in the software, financial and information/technology industries located in Westchester and New York City. Monica Andralliski has been a member of the Bethel Baptist Church for 40 years where she has served as Youth Director, Church Treasurer, and currently Co-Chair of the Trustee Ministry. She also serves on the Board of the Friends of White Plains Youth Bureau as Treasurer. Monica Andralliski has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Management from Concordia College, Bronxville, NY.
Frank Williams, Jr. is the Executive Director of the White Plains Youth Bureau. As the director, he is responsible for developing, coordinating, managing and promoting a wide variety of programming that successfully enhances the health, safety and future of White Plains youth. Under his leadership, the White Plains Youth Bureau is recognized as national model agency that provides pathways and opportunities for youth to grow, succeed and reach their goals.
Frank is involved in numerous organizations including Board President Good Counsel Academy Elementary School; President Passage to Excellence Corporation, member of the Business Council of Westchester Foundation Board, member the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus Board of Directors, member of the New York State Partnership of Caring Board of Directors, member New York Medical College Admissions Committee, member of the Black Scholars Community Partnership Advisory Board, member of the White Plains Juneteenth Heritage Committee , Member of Jacob Burns Board of Directors and a Member of Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. just to name a few. Frank and his wife Ann reside in Greenburgh. They have two daughters, Timeka and Cherylyn, and one grandchild, John.
Frank is involved in numerous organizations including Board President Good Counsel Academy Elementary School; President Passage to Excellence Corporation, member of the Business Council of Westchester Foundation Board, member the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus Board of Directors, member of the New York State Partnership of Caring Board of Directors, member New York Medical College Admissions Committee, member of the Black Scholars Community Partnership Advisory Board, member of the White Plains Juneteenth Heritage Committee , Member of Jacob Burns Board of Directors and a Member of Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. just to name a few. Frank and his wife Ann reside in Greenburgh. They have two daughters, Timeka and Cherylyn, and one grandchild, John.
Karen Banoff, DNP is the Vice President for Clinical Services at White Plains Hospital where she provides administrative leadership on new strategic and clinical program development and physician integration. Karen began her healthcare career more than 30 years ago as a pediatric critical care nurse and remains especially interested in programs and services that address the needs of our youth. Karen has two young adult children, Rebecca and Ben, and enjoys family time, exercising and staying active, and travel.
Wayne Francis is the Lead Pastor at Authentic Church in White Plains, NY. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities he serves several community leadership roles: he is Board President for the Friends of the White Plains Youth Bureau – Westchester County’s largest youth serving agency, a trustee for the PlayGroup Theater and member of the Department of Social Services Advisory Board. He has been married for 17 years to his wife Claudene and has two children, Haleigh {13} and Ryleigh {11}. In addition to being a cyclist, he is a ton of fun on a dance floor.
Vincere N. Japal is Associate General Counsel for FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation. She joined Fujifilm in 2005 and supports the legal work of Fujifilm and its subsidiaries in the Americas. She has direct responsibility for the legal affairs of the parent company, shared services, labor and employment, benefits and immigration. Vincere’s role provides her with a unique perspective into Fujifilm’s operations, allowing her to formulate client-focused solutions to meet the challenging legal and regulatory needs of the Fujifilm companies.
Prior to joining Fujifilm, Vincere was an Associate in the Corporate Department of the law firm of Willkie Farr and Gallagher LLP. Previously, Vincere worked as Compliance Assistant in the Compliance Department at Salomon Brothers (now Citigroup) and as Human Resources Assistant at ESSENCE Communications, Inc.
Vincere’s son, B. Tyler Japal, is an avid member of the Youth Bureau’s Saturday Academy, and she is active on the parents’ committee. Vincere joined the Board in 2017.
Vincere grew up in Grenada (a/k/a The Isle of Spice), which she calls her oasis and resides in Westchester and on Long Island with her son.
Bio to come
Nicola (Nicky) Standard is the VP, Branch Manager at Apple Bank for Savings in Bronxville, NY. She has been in banking for over 15 years. Nicky has lived in White Plains for over 19 years and all four of her children, Sidni (21), Samantha(19), Sabrina(17) and Stuart Jr.(15), have attended White Plains Public schools and at some point have utilized the WPYB programs. Nicky has been married to Stuart Sr. for 23 years. Her personal motto is to Love, Live, Laugh and Serve.
Tia Warren has been a resident of White Plains for most of her life and has fond memories of time spent at the White Plains Youth Bureau as an adolescent.
After graduating from White Plains High School, Tia received a bachelors degree from Temple University and a MBA from CUNY Baruch. She has spent her career in Human Resources, working at various professional services firms and asset managers; she is currently the Head of Total Rewards at First Eagle Investments.
Community involvement and philanthropy are incredibly important to Tia, in addition to her seat on the board of Friends of WPYB, she is also on the Advisory Council of the First Eagle Foundation serving as corporate liaison for NY Cares.
Tia lives in White Plains with her husband, Ahmad, dog (Bailey) and turtle (Tito). Her free time is spent with family, friends and watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs!
JD Summa, Founder and CEO of Kings Capital Construction Group, Inc, established in 2009. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, defining the culture, promoting a safe & healthy environment and driving customer engagement. His drive to elevate KINGS, powerful leadership, and a tireless commitment excellence has helped build a solid reputation and earn the attention of repeat clients and industry leaders. Amongst other accolades, JD was named one of Westchester’s 2013 40 under 40 Rising stars, KINGS chosen by INC 5000, US fastest growing companies for 4 consecutive years (2013 – 2017) and included as one of Forbes Magazine’s New York Business Leaders in 2014.
A consistently effective leader and entrepreneur, JD believes in the importance of civic responsibility and is a champion of many important community initiatives, not just with our clients but our neighbors as well. With a dedication to these values, KINGS is notably host to its Annual Holiday Benefit in support of underprivileged neighborhood families. KINGS is also a corporate partner with PCNY & Garden of Eden, supplying 16,000 turkeys & 40,000 pounds of food to neighborhoods and schools from the Bronx, NY to Boston, MA. Amongst his support in other local and regional causes, JD is actively involved in the advocacy of the community and is a Board member to the Youth Bureau of White Plains and Promise to Aid.
Gary Kris is a seasoned entrepreneur and business executive with over 25 years experience developing and executing growth and finance strategies in medical products, consumer goods, industrial equipment, and information technology industries. Gary has been a long-time resident of White Plains and has two boys that have grown up in the White Plains Schools and have benefited from the programs of the Youth Bureau. Gary holds a bachelors degree in accounting and finance from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Besides trying to keep up with his boys, Gary is actively involved in a number of non-profit organizations including Northeast Stem Starter Academy, A-Home Affordable Housing and MyMoney.org.
Kyle Muth is the president of Muth Capital, that helps local small businesses and real estate investors obtain the capital they need to grow and prosper. In addition to helping small businesses, he serves on the board for The Center for Aging in Place that helps seniors remain independent at home and engaged in community life as they grow older. In his downtime, he is still a kid at heart, playing ice hockey, golf, and taking a boxing class every once in a while.
Lauren Rones-Payne, a White Plains resident with more than 20 years of experience in luxury customer service, has moved to the private aviation industry working as the General Manager of Million Air at the Westchester County Airport for the past two years. Lauren is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, an avid marathon runner, a want to be yogi and the proud Aunt of three nieces and one nephew. She is happily married for over ten years to Richard Payne of Larchmont and currently lives locally in the heart of downtown White Plains. Proud to be serving as a Friends Board member, Lauren hopes to encourage more women to be a part of this fast paced, high energy, 24/7 aviation industry which can offer many opportunities for today's youth.