Ayolanda is rooted in youth and family advocacy and is actively engaged in an array of community initiatives. She is passionate about developing, building access to, and advocating for resources needed to ensure under-represented and under-resourced communities are not forgotten in decision-making processes. Driven by Shirley Chisholm’s quote, ”You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas,” Ayolanda’s professional experience includes building effective partnerships amongst community programs; organizing social action initiatives to address youth violence; developing cultural specific parent education classes; coaching parents to increase their parenting capacity; and facilitating professional development and community-based workshops. 

She is also a family life educator, doula, and certified parenting coach.  She holds a B.A. degree in Family Science from Concordia University.