Jenny Davidson is the founder and Executive Director of AcademySTAY, where she leads strategy, fundraising, partnerships, and program development. With more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, Jenny is known for scaling programs, strengthening teams, and championing youth-centered systems change. Before launching AcademySTAY, Jenny served as CEO of Stand Up Placer, where she expanded services for survivors of domestic violence by over 10x and grew the agency’s annual revenue from $1 million to $5 million. Her work has been featured by the BBC and other media outlets for its impact and innovation. At AcademySTAY, she brings the same passion to building a housing-first model for youth aging out of foster care - combining data-driven leadership with a deep belief that every young person deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity.

Elizabeth Brown is the quiet force behind AcademySTAY’s daily operations—and a trusted presence for students navigating independence. Officially, she manages facilities, supplies, and logistics. Unofficially, she’s a mentor, listener, and “full-time mom to 30 kids.” A survivor of abuse, Elizabeth brings lived experience to every part of her work. Her son has always been her greatest motivation—fueling her decision to break generational cycles and create the kind of safe, stable environment she never had growing up. Today, she blends logistical care with deep emotional presence, helping students feel seen, supported, and ready to build something better.

Suzanne Guinn leads AcademySTAY’s marketing and fundraising strategy, building the donor relationships and brand visibility that power its mission. She brings 15+ years of experience across publishing, clean tech, SaaS, and nonprofit sectors—with a focus on brand storytelling, digital innovation, and mission-aligned growth. Suzanne previously served as Group Advertising Director and General Manager at Gold Country Media, then went on to lead marketing at ClipperCreek, helping scale national brand recognition for EV charging. At Enphase Energy, she managed go-to-market strategy and digital campaigns for emerging product lines, launching AI-driven workflows and expanding corporate partnerships. At AcademySTAY, Suzanne oversees grant writing, donor engagement, sponsorship strategy, and campaign execution. An adoptee herself, she blends strategic insight with lived experience—ensuring every message is mission-true and student-centered.

Jessica Brigham oversees finance and human resources at AcademySTAY, ensuring the organization’s infrastructure runs smoothly and ethically. From budgeting and payroll to compliance and team support, her work creates the strong internal systems that make sustainable growth possible. As someone who was formerly incarcerated, Jessica understands firsthand the barriers and possibilities that systems can create. Now pursuing her MBA at Sacramento State University, she brings that same spirit of growth and opportunity to AcademySTAY’s mission. She believes deeply in the transformative power of education - not just as a pathway to personal success, but as a force for building stronger, more connected communities. Jessica’s steady leadership powers every part of the mission. She helps AcademySTAY meet funder requirements, support its team, and deliver on its promise to young adults exiting foster care.

Jasmine Smith serves as a Case Manager at AcademySTAY, where she bridges the gap between complex systems and personal success for young adults transitioning from foster care. With over six years of experience across business analysis, public sector project management, and direct community service, she brings a unique blend of operational precision and deep empathy to the team. Before joining AcademySTAY, Jasmine refined her analytical and strategic skills at Accenture, where she partnered with public sector and healthcare clients to streamline operations and enhance stakeholder engagement. Her background also includes pivotal roles at the Meadowview Family Resource Center and as a Case Manager for the City of Sacramento, where she specialized in connecting families to local resources and supporting those involved in court-monitored cases. At AcademySTAY, Jasmine views her role as "watering a garden," dedicated to providing the nutrients and support students need to bloom. Having navigated life as a young parent at 19 and recently returning to school to complete her degree, she shares a powerful resonance with the milestones and challenges her students face. Jasmine uses her lived experience to build authentic trust, helping students uncover their own purpose and navigate their journeys toward independence with dignity and confidence.

Kirsten Deal joined AcademySTAY with nearly a decade of experience supporting young adults navigating housing instability, reentry, and system involvement. She brings a dual lens to her work, blending professional social service expertise with the lived resonance of someone who has navigated similar paths toward stability. Kirsten’s background includes frontline roles in shelter settings, housing-focused case management, and crisis response for youth on probation. At AcademySTAY, she builds trusting relationships rooted in radical consistency. Her approach is direct and nonjudgmental—meeting students where they are while holding space for the growth and hard conversations that lead to independence. “I don’t believe in giving up on people,” she says. “When a young person shows up angry or avoidant, I see that as a story—not a problem.” Outside of work, Kirsten is a lifelong learner and a self-described “big sister.” She is a vocal advocate for harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and the belief that housing is a fundamental human right.