Alumnus Named YouthBuild Boston Executive Director

YouthBuild Boston announced the appointment of Danyson Tavares — designer, educator, and community changemaker — as its new executive director. Tavares is a Wentworth Institute of Technology alumnus—Architecture ’11, Master of Architecture ’12— and adjunct professor.

Through YouthBuild Boston, Tavares now leads a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting career pathways in the building industry for Boston’s youth of color. Tavares was also part of a recent YouthBuild Boston feature that ran in the 2024 Wentworth President’s Report.  

With his extensive background in architecture, and a longstanding commitment to community engagement and advocacy for universal design access, Tavares brings a valuable perspective and broad expertise and credentials to his new role as Executive Director.  

Tavares joined Youthbuild Boston in 2022. As Project Development Manager, he has spearheaded affordable housing projects and community initiatives, laying the groundwork for design education courses. He is actively involved with the Boston Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and American Institute of Architects, and has been an adjunct faculty member at Boston Architectural College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Rhode Island School of Design. Tavares is also a trustee of the Sasaki Foundation, a Board Member of the Boston Society for Architecture, and recipient of the 2023 Alumni Inclusive Excellence Award from Wentworth Institute of Technology.  

Tavares was unanimously selected to become Executive Director by YouthBuild Boston’s Board of Directors after a six-month executive search process. He replaces interim executive director John Williams, who joined the organization in September 2023. His appointment is part of a strategic infrastructure shift at YouthBuild that includes the promotion of staff member Nathan Polk to become Director of Programs and Partnerships.  

"Danyson's appointment as executive director is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to YouthBuild Boston and to the field," said Shaun Leonard, YouthBuild Boston Board of Directors Co-President, and Vice President of Vitality & Resilience at Rise Development and Construction. "His visionary leadership and dedication to our mission will undoubtedly launch YBB to new heights. We are excited to see the impact he will make in his new role."

Tavares expressed his enthusiasm for the new position, saying, "I am thrilled to step into the role of Executive Director at YouthBuild Boston. I am deeply committed to our work helping Boston’s young people find their pathway to professional and personal success in the building industry, and can’t wait to work with our talented team to propel YouthBuild into our fourth decade of success and impact.”