Andrea L. Neely is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) founded in 1998 whose mission is to help reduce the number of high school dropouts. Since inception SYF academies have graduated over 24K at-risk students while investing over $21 million in scholarships, teacher capacity building grants and hosting its national education conference. Prior to joining Simon for 15 years Andrea, provided stellar leadership; 5 years as area development director and for 10 years as the Indianapolis Regional Development Director for UNCF, United Negro College Fund. Andrea has received numerous recognitions in 2021; she was selected as the African American Excellence in Education “Leadership Award” recipient, Sam Jones Trailblazer from IBE, Indiana Civil Right Commission and Governor Eric Holcomb, Excellence in Service from Walter and Alpha Blackburn Foundation and received “The Circle of Corydon” from Governor Eric Holcomb.