Experience

Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• President & CEO

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Jay Vazquez was named President and CEO of Philadelphia Academies, Inc., in 2017 and, in that capacity, is responsible for the overall strategic and operational direction of the organization. He oversees the staff, programs, strategy, expansion, and execution of PAI’s mission which is to improve economic and life chances for young people in Philadelphia through the expansion and scaling of the career academy model in public high schools.

• Director Of Operations

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2016

  Prior to being named President and CEO, Jay served at PAI for seven years, the majority of which he held the role of Director of School Operations in which he led the operational planning and implementation of the organization’s strategy to significantly expand the number of young people supported by the career academy model in Philadelphia in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia. This work has included a blended focus on capacity building/professional development, direct student supports and the deployment of digital technology to strengthen the delivery of PAI’s evidence-based model in targeted public high schools.



Kheiron One, Inc.

• President

  • Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

  Jay launched a customer service business utilizing a for-profit model with a non-profit mission to serve women who were victims of domestic violence. He established working relationship with community-based women’s groups to provide job’s skills training and employment opportunities to women living in shelters. Kheiron One also provided workforce training and services for hard to place workers, and provided basic literacy education, English classes, as well as basic life skills. Jay launched a customer service business utilizing a for-profit model with a non-profit mission to serve women who were victims of domestic violence. He established working relationship with community-based women’s groups to provide job’s skills training and employment opportunities to women living in shelters. Kheiron One also provided workforce training and services for hard to place workers, and provided basic literacy education, English classes, as well as basic life skills.



Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative

• Sr. Associate Director, Knowledge Development

  • 2003 - 2007

  Jay interfaced with various national and senior state-level officials from child welfare, education and labor to expand the awareness on the plight of youth aging out of foster care. He was responsible for operationalizing the foundations ideas, concepts and plans as well as its national policies. He led the foundation’s efforts to integrate a workforce development/education strategy to be used as a method to bring employers, educators and service providers together to help youth aging out of foster care.



Metis Associates, Inc.

• Director, IT and Data Analysis 1999 – 2003

  • 1999 - 2003

  Jay provided technical assistance to foundations, and government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the areas of education and comprehensive community initiatives. He assisted foundations to develop evaluation and research methodologies, tools and reports for their diverse portfolio of community initiatives. He provided technical assistance to: Annie E. Casey Foundation on its portfolio of community initiatives such as Rebuilding Community Initiative and Making Connections; Edna McConnell-Clark Foundation's Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, on the Neighborhood Partners Initiative; and Casey Family Programs during the strategic planning process to establish goals and objectives for their Community Building Initiative through family centered teams.