Sayr Kern
Development Director
sayr@youthinactionri.orgthey/she
Sayr loves showing up to Youth In Action every day, helping create funding streams that are reflective of YIA’s mission and values. Sayr feels privileged to work alongside young people, learning from them and sharing knowledge as our youth discover various pathways to resource their communities.
Sayr was born into the LGBTQ community in the late 80s and is the daughter of many mothers. Sayr graduated from RISD’s Illustration program with a concentration on Gender and Sexuality Studies, and went on to plan community events and fundraisers with local nonprofits including Southside Community Land Trust, ONE Neighborhood Builders, Youth Pride, PRONK!, Paint it Pink!, among others. Sayr then spent nearly a decade in Los Angeles where they established a career in fundraising at TreePeople, LA’s oldest environmental nonprofit. In Los Angeles, they grew their expertise in Corporate Giving, Major Gifts, and the intersection of communications and fundraising. Most recently, she was the Associate Director of Development at The Learning Community in Central Falls.
Sayr is a lifelong learner and is committed to growing a practice of antiracism and challenging historically racist and inequitable principles within philanthropy. Outside of work, Sayr has a deep love for the outdoors, sharing homemade meals with friends, and exploring the world through her child’s eyes.