Town Hall: February 28, 2024

Kristen Hoefer (she/her) was the CEO of HOBY from August 2020 - August 2024 and a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019. She is a 1986 alumna of HOBY Rhode Island and the International Leadership Seminar. 

Kristen brings cross-functional business leadership experience to HOBY with a 30 year career that includes CEO of Lincare, a healthcare services company, and 23 years at Abbott spanning functions across the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and diagnostic businesses and concluding as Divisional Vice President of Western Europe. 

In 2015, Kristen and her family moved from Basel, Switzerland to St. Petersburg, FL where she now resides with her husband. Her two sons, both HOBY alum and volunteers, are attending college out of state. In addition to her passion for HOBY, Kristen enjoys walking by the water, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends!

Michael Carter (he/him) comes to us with a wealth of experience both with HOBY and professionally. His journey started as an Ambassador (1989 Mid-Florida HOBY) and consisted of numerous roles spanning over 20 years, including Corporate Board President, Leadership Seminar Chair, Director of Recruitment, Director of Facilitators, and WLC Facilitator. HOBY is a family endeavor for him as he has shared this experience with all three of his daughters, watching them go through the program, volunteering alongside them at the local level, and experiencing WLC with them as well. 

Prior to HOBY, Michael worked at Publix Super Markets, Inc. for 33 years, leaving as the Director of Corporate Accounting. His professional experience includes financial accounting and analysis, as well as project management of systems and strategic initiatives.  His passion for cost savings, process improvements, and innovation serves us well here at HOBY. Michael continues to work alongside and support all the Corporate Boards and helps HOBY catapult forward with all the exciting initiatives! He lives in Lakeland, Florida, with his wife, Nancy, and enjoys going to theme parks, lounging poolside, and staying active.

Emily Lewis (she/her) is a 2002 Kansas HOBY alumna and she has extensive HOBY volunteer experience. Emily served 19 years as a dedicated HOBY volunteer, taking on eleven roles at nearly every level for Kansas HOBY and the World Leadership Congress (WLC), culminating in her leading the Kansas HOBY Corporate Board and chairing the 2016 WLC.

Emily’s volunteer work not only strengthened her commitment to HOBY, but also solidified her desire to pursue graduate education in youth development and a career in the nonprofit world. With a professional background that has combined vision development, fundraising, marketing and communications, and program development, Emily joined the HOBY Headquarters team in October of 2021. Emily lives in Austin, TX with her partner and she loves to watch crime documentaries, find yummy new places to eat, and spend time with her family, especially her niece, Ada!

Angie Magazino (she/her) is a 2001 PA East HOBY and World Leadership Congress (WLC) alumna. Since her ambassador year, she has volunteered at various local state leadership seminar sites across the country, as well as Community Leadership Workshops (CLeWs), the WLC, and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA). Angie has served in lots of volunteer roles, but her favorites include facilitating, vice chair of program, and the WLC chair. 

Angie is a lifelong student of teaching and learning, with over 18 years of experience in K-12, higher education, and adult education/training programs. In 2022, she joined the HOBY Headquarters team as Chief of Program Development and Training.  Outside of HOBY, Angie lives in York, PA with her partner and German Shepherd, Ama. She enjoys traveling, home renovation projects, and a feel-good TV series (New Girl, HIMYM, The Good Place, etc.).

Angel Perez (he/him/el) is a 2016 Texas Far-West (TXFW) and World Leadership Congress (WLC) alum. Angel has volunteered with HOBY for seven years and has taken on six different roles at multiple local seminars and the World Leadership Congress (WLC). Angel served most recently as the TXFW Leadership Seminar Chair, bringing HOBY back to West Texas. 

Angel’s volunteer experiences with HOBY led him to advocating for quality and affordable education working at non-profit organizations focused on childhood literacy and post-secondary education for people of color. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Angel joined the HOBY Headquarters team in July of 2023. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts and enjoys hiking, rock climbing and dancing to country music.

Zakkiyya Taylor (she/her) joined the HOBY HQ team in April 2023 as the Volunteer and Alumni Engagement Manager and started volunteering at local HOBY sites and WLC right away. Prior to joining the HOBY team, she spent over 15 years working in higher education in a variety of roles within student affairs. Her focus centered on community engagement, community service, and large-scale programming. 

Zakkiyya has a passion for reading and travel, especially when combined! She spends a lot of her free time volunteering in her community with volunteer organizations that combat food insecurity, local soup kitchens and animal rescue centers. Zakkiyya is a born and raised New Jersey girl, living life with her rescue pup, Molly.