About Us
Empowering high school students to lead with confidence, embrace their identity, and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Mission And Vision
Mission Statement:
We seek to empower high school students through leadership training programs which foster personal growth, confidence, pride in identity, community engagement, academic achievement, and future success.
Vision:
We envision a future where everyone values the importance of diverse representation in leadership and possesses the skills and confidence necessary to thrive, speak freely, and contribute positively to society.
Core Values:
Empowerment
We believe in providing students with the tools and leadership training necessary to take ownership of their personal growth and future success.
Belonging
We are committed to building diverse representation in leadership, ensuring that every identity is celebrated and valued.
Authenticity
We encourage students to take pride in their identity and develop the confidence to speak freely and live authentically.
Engagement
We prioritize active community engagement and believe in the importance of contributing positively to society.
Excellence
We strive for academic achievement and the development of skills that allow individuals to thrive in their chosen endeavors.
Meet Our Founder!
Kim Finnerty, Ed.D.
Dr. Kim Finnerty is deeply committed to engaging, educating, and empowering learners of all ages. A lifelong learner herself, she earned her undergraduate degree in finance from Penn State University, a master’s degree in education from DeSales University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Arizona. Throughout her career, Dr. Finnerty has combined her adaptability and passion for learning in leadership roles across corporate, nonprofit, and educational settings. Her professional experience includes serving as an advertising director, finance director, classroom teacher, and multiple administrative leadership positions across grade levels within the Quakertown Community School District. Beyond her professional work, she has served on numerous nonprofit boards and remains actively involved in organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Dr. Kim Finnerty brings a broad and inclusive perspective to leadership. Her diverse background has strengthened her compassion for others and shaped her approach to life. A firm believer that education has the power to transform lives, that diverse representation matters, and that every individual can make a meaningful impact, she founded the Student Voice Initiative (501c3 nonprofit) to educate and empower young leaders to recognize their strengths, develop confidence in their identities, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging…knowing that when individuals feel valued, they are more likely to use their voices to create lasting change.
A Board Committed to Our Mission
Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated leaders who guide our organization with integrity and vision. Their experience and commitment help ensure we remain focused on our mission and long-term impact.
Camil Culbreath, Ed.D.
Dr. Camil Culbreath is a transformative educational leader who spearheads initiatives designed to ensure every member of the school community feels respected, valued, supported, and empowered to excel. Driven by a deep commitment to helping all learners realize their full potential, her work is grounded in equity and culturally responsive practices that honor the strengths found in diverse cultures and lived experiences.
With over twenty years of experience in public education, Dr. Culbreath currently serves as Director of Family and Community Engagement in the Reading School District, where she leads the equity, translation and interpretation, and family engagement departments. Her leadership experience spans a range of roles, including Middle School Principal, High School House Principal, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging across urban and suburban school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Heather Myers
Heather Myers is a partner and the non-profit solutions leader for Aon investments. She is also the chair of Aon’s U.S. Investment Committee. Her experience includes manager research, investment management, and consulting for various foundation, endowment and retirement funds as well as managing director for nonprofit practice. Heather has also served on several boards and investment committees, including Whitman College and St. Luke’s Hospital Bethlehem. Heather is currently a member of the John T. Gorman Foundation and Claremont McKenna College’s investment committee and serves as Treasurer of the Sakonnet Yacht Club.
Heather’s expertise includes working with a variety of non-profit clients and other institutional asset pools. She is knowledgeable across the investment spectrum from public to private assets and other types of alternatives and has spent many years engaged in Responsible Investing initiatives. Education to Boards and Investment Committees is one of Heather’s passions and strengths. She received the Pensions & Investments Influential Women in Institutional Investing Award in 2023.
Prakash Patel, Ed.D.
Dr. Prakash Patel, is the Director of Technology at Lower Moreland Township School District, bringing 29 years of experience working in several southeastern Pennsylvania school districts. Throughout his career, he has nurtured a passion for equity and inclusion while teaching mathematics and computer science at the secondary level and serving as a district leader.
As the child of first-generation immigrants, Dr. Patel began his educational journey in an English Language Learner (ELL) classroom—an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by diverse learners. In his spare time, Dr. Patel speaks at conferences around the U.S., sharing his ELL story and offering innovative ideas to educational and corporate leaders to help transform learning and build inclusive environments.
Sue Carriere Wilson, J.D.
Sue Carriere is a transactional attorney based in Colorado. While she no longer lives in Pennsylvania, she remains deeply appreciative of the strong educational start her children received in Pennsylvania schools. Sue balances a full-time legal career with board service at various companies and spends as much of her time as possible volunteering and enjoying outdoors—often combining both—in her small mountain community.
Stories of Voice,
Growth, and Change
Student Voice Initiative empowers diverse high school students to discover their voices and develop as leaders through immersive leadership training, storytelling, and Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). By fostering belonging, confidence, and critical thinking, we help students advocate for change in their schools and communities while building skills that support lifelong success.
Building Belonging Through Dialogue
Student Voice Initiative creates intentional spaces where students share stories, listen deeply, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Through guided conversations and storytelling, participants build empathy, strengthen relationships, and develop a sense of belonging across differences.
Elevating Voices Not Often Heard
We center the voices of students who are historically underrepresented in leadership and decision-making. By encouraging authenticity and critical reflection, students learn to speak confidently about their experiences and advocate for equity and positive change in their schools and communities.
Student Leadership in Action
Students move beyond conversation to action by identifying real issues that matter to them and collaborating on solutions. Through youth-led research, teamwork, and presentation of findings to decision-makers, students develop leadership skills that translate into lifelong civic engagement.
Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders.
Partner with Student Voice Initiative to support student leadership, inclusive dialogue, and meaningful change.
© 2026 Student Voice Initiative – All Rights Reserved. Student Voice Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 99-3241141.