Breeanna Decker is a program manager specializing in inclusive regional economic development at JFF. Based in JFF’s Oakland office, she leads projects to help build an equitable and inclusive workforce for all Californians.
Her skills and areas of expertise include:
- Leadership development
- Community-based asset mapping
- Postsecondary career pathway building
- Culturally competent community engagement
- Leveraging partnerships
Before joining JFF, Breeanna served as an opportunity youth initiative program associate at Urban Strategies Council, overseeing youth leadership development projects, facilitating learning communities, and engaging in federal and state policy advocacy for disconnected young adults ages 16 to 24. She collaborated with communities across California to create a policy advocacy group called the California Opportunity Youth Network, or COYN, working with the state legislature to support and craft policies promoting increased opportunities for young people.
Before that, Breeanna was a site testing manager at the Children’s Defense Fund’s West Oakland Freedom School, administering the Basic Reading Inventory to help assess the reading levels of K-8 students. She also worked for Oakland and Alameda County elected officials.
Breeanna serves on the boards of the Alameda County Health Pathway Partnership and the National Youth Employment Coalition. She is also a member of the high school outreach team of the League of Women Voters of Oakland. She is the Vice-Curator of the Oakland Hub of the Global Shapers, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.
Reflecting on her decision to join JFF, Breanna says, “I have always been impressed with the organization.” She says she first became aware of JFF at an Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions conference, where she heard JFF staffers discuss best practices for reengaging formerly disconnected youth.
Outside of work, Breeanna enjoys being active, spending time in the sun, watching movies with her family, and watching sports—particularly basketball, which she played through college. She also coaches youth basketball and travels to different cities to attend NBA games.