Melvin Cowan

Melvin Cowan is the current Chief Operating Officer at BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY. Prior to this, they served as the Director of Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships at Youth UpRising from February 2017 to October 2017. In this role, they were responsible for developing professional relationships with economic and workforce development providers, partners, regulatory agencies and governments within Alameda County and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area. Melvin also advised and participated in various workshops, public hearings, advisory committees, and public meetings.

Cowan has a long history of working towards providing strategic approaches to attract and maintain a competent and diverse workforce and creating an environment that develops, encourages, and sustains employees as they work to accomplish Youth UpRising strategic goals. Melvin has also overseen workforce forecasting and analysis functions to ensure appropriate decision tools are readily available to workforce program managers to best support program participants. In addition, they have fostered a work environment that empowers Youth UpRising employees and participants through teamwork, a focus on creating a positive work culture for and a commitment to service.

Most recently, Cowan has been directing organizational and operational change necessary to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Youth UpRising. This includes the development and conceptualization of the strategy of the Social Enterprise Operations, as well as supporting Youth UpRising social enterprises with financial management, planning, systems and controls. Melvin has also been involved in the training of the

Melvin Cowan attended the London School of Economics and Political Science, where they earned a certificate in Cities: Governance, Planning and Design. Melvin then went on to earn their master's degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco School of Management. MelvinCowan has also taken courses in Managerial Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Kentucky. In addition, they hold a degree in Speech Communication from Berea College.

Melvin Cowan reports to Donald Frazier, CEO. They work with Vida Jalali - CFO, Sonja Fitz - Chief Development Officer, and Dina Mayfield - Director, H&R & Risk Management.