NYLC Welcomes New CEO Kelita Bak

The National Youth Leadership Council is excited to welcome Kelita Svoboda Bak as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of founder and former CEO Jim Kielsmeier.

A strong advocate for youth, Bak has worked in youth development and public policy in Washington, D.C. for more than 15 years. She has held a range of leadership positions in national nonprofit organizations, most recently as the National Vice President of Advancement for Camp Fire USA.

“I am eager to work with the board, staff, funders and external stakeholders to build upon NYLC’s strong foundation and to lead this well-respected organization toward continued and expanded success,” says Bak, who assumed the role Jan 4.

Throughout her career, Bak has built and managed key relationships, including numerous partnerships and coalitions. Among those, she served as a lead convener of Service-Learning United and worked to secure agreement among service-learning leaders on provisions in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. She also has served on the board of the National Service-Learning Partnership and as a mentor in the Emerging Leaders Initiative, led by NYLC and the Partnership.

“Kelita is perfect for the job,” said NYLC Board Chair Jim Scheibel. “She is passionate about youth and service-learning, knows the field, and is an outstanding manager.”

Bak believes that service-learning “is necessary for all children and youth to have an opportunity to build their own confidence, to be educated, engaged, and contributing members of their families, their schools, their communities, and the world.” She views the teaching strategy as “the best way for young people to gain these skills in a meaningful and cost-effective way.”

Her prior experiences also include serving as Director of Government Relations for Youth Service America and Vice President of a private consulting firm. She also served as a lobbyist for the 270,000-member American Motorcyclist Association and was a political media buyer for candidates in 12 congressional districts during the 1996 election.

Bak earned a master’s degree in business administration from The George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in political science from American University.