Senta Thomas Joins Youth With Faces Board of Directors

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Senta Thomas to the Youth With Faces Board of Directors. A global human resources leader at Haynes and Boone, LLP, Senta learned about serving others at an early age from her mother who emphasized the importance of education and service.

Growing up in the St. Mary African Methodist Episcopal Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, Senta nurtured her skills in public speaking and volunteerism, shaping her into a dedicated and compassionate leader. These experiences helped build her core values and guided Senta’s journey to human resources.

“My mother instilled in me the importance of doing good and always bringing others along the way,” Senta shared. “I think this is why I ended up in human resources.”

Senta graduated from LSU with an undergraduate degree in microbiology. She began her career working in a lab, but finding the work monotonous, she pursued a master’s in public administration with a focus on Health and Human Resources at Grambling State University. This led her to a career in recruiting, where she could make a significant impact by helping people find opportunities and connecting them to their purpose.

Her participation in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated highlights her lifelong commitment to empowering others, especially youth. And when her two daughters headed off to college, Senta decided she wanted to do more. She discovered Youth With Faces through a sorority sister and immediately felt a connection to the mission.

“There are too many times society isn’t willing to give people a second chance,” Senta said. “When we’re talking about children, we’re talking about the future. You must equip them with the resources to be successful. If you don’t have the resources to do the work, how are you going to do the work?”

Senta’s professional journey reflects her core values of helping others and building trusted relationships. While she transitioned from corporate recruiting to a generalist role at work, she has always focused on supporting and empowering individuals. Her experience in learning and development, performance management, and fostering positive work environments aligns seamlessly with Youth With Faces’ mission to build trust and meet the needs of justice-impacted youth.

In her professional role, she emphasizes building trust to build community within the workplace. She applies the same principle to her work with youth, understanding that trust is the foundation for effective mentorship. Her approach to performance management, focusing on providing resources and clear guidance, mirrors Youth With Faces’ commitment to giving youth the tools they need to succeed.

“Please join us in welcoming Senta to the Youth With Faces family, ” said Chris Quadri, CEO. “Her passion for service, wealth of experience, and commitment to empowering youth will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts and help us achieve our mission. We are excited for the future and the positive change we will create together.”