Suzy Myers Jackson, SparkYouth NYC, Executive Director

Suzy’s nonprofit background spans nearly 20 years and encompasses a diverse range of expertise, including: fundraising, board development, nonprofit management, strategic planning, leadership coaching, and program development.

Suzy was the longtime Executive Director of Opening Act, where she grew the organization’s reach from 3 to 57 of NYC’s most high-need public schools and increased revenue by 80 fold. Under her leadership the organization became a leader in Social Emotional Learning outcomes.

Suzy has also been a consultant for such organizations and corporations as Harlem Educational Activities Fund, HBO, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Youth INC, Brandworkers, STEM From Dance, and INCLUDEnyc. She has developed multiple campaigns and professional development workshops that have been implemented by organizations to raise funds, deepen relationships with key stakeholders to build a thriving organizational culture.

Suzy received her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her partner and young sons.

Kelley Cunningham, Director of Operations & Development

Kelley joined SparkYouth NYC in 2014. Before SparkYouth, Kelley served as the Development Manager for The Waterfront Alliance and spent six years working in the Development Department of the international ocean conservation organization Oceana. During her time at Oceana Kelley garnered extensive experience in event planning; corporate and foundation fundraising; and the management and administration of major gift programs. Kelley also worked in Development at the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Reading Partners New York. Kelley earned her A.B. from Mount Holyoke College.

Rachael Abbick, Associate Director of Operations and Development

Rachael has spent the last five years working in direct service non-profits, most recently as Opening Act's Manager of External Communications and previously as Opening Act's Executive Assistant as well as the Summer Camp and Marketing Coordinator at Kids Creative. Rachael is delighted to join the SparkYouth NYC team, and she looks forward to using her fundraising, board development, communications, and operations skills to help provide resources and opportunities for thousands of young people to find their spark and ignite their confidence.