Debbie Burrell-Butler was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and later immigrated to United States to live with her parents. She attended Edwards Williams Elementary, Franko Middle School now known as the STEAM Academy, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2001. That same year, she began working for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau as a temporary office clerk and since then, have held various titles within the department. In 2005, Debbie graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and declined a job as a portfolio assistant from Salomon Smith Brother. She was promoted to Executive Director in May 2018, which was also the same year, she earned her M.B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University in Public Administration. During Debbie’s 20+ years at the Bureau, she co-founded the V.I.C.T.O.R.Y Program in 2005, which continues to provide youth ages 6-21 with volunteering and internship opportunities. Although she does not consider herself as a grant’s guru, she writes grants which provides youth ages 6-24 with job opportunities, programs, services and apprenticeship. Debbie had mentors, coaches and a lot of support that helped make her who she is today, therefore, she is paving the way for youth by building meaningful relationships in the community which aides in young people overcoming barriers and increasing positive development, which eventually leads to their self-sufficiency and future successes.