About Us

Dr. Caroline Raffington is a business professional and an educator with more than 20 years experience in tertiary and secondary education. She is an adjunct faculty at Miami Dade College and CTE instructor at Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). Dr. Raffington has extensive experience in business and community outreach having worked with several international and local for profit and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Raffington holds a Doctoral degree in Business from Northcentral University, a Master’s degree from City University of New York, and a Bachelor’s degree from University of Technology in Jamaica.

Dr. Raffington has distinguished herself in the field of education. She was recognized as Miami Dade County Public Schools, Rookie Teacher of the Year, for outstanding contribution to student development and community outreach.

She forged a partnership with EdFed to open a financial institution on the campus of Miami Lakes Educational Center. The onsite facility provides work-based learning for students and promotes financial literacy throughout the school community. Under her leadership at MDCPS, she serves as DECA advisor taking students to state and national competitions. Dr. Raffington is an advisor for Capstone Business Projects, assisting students with business plan development and presentation to business professionals.

Dr. Raffington has a passion for service. She is a Distinguished President of the Kiwanis Club of Kendall South Dade where she maintains an active role responding to the needs of local and international communities. In 2009, Dr. Raffington founded the Humanitarian Mission, an international outreach to the Caribbean. She coordinates volunteers including medical and dental professionals, for 1-week missions overseas. Her local philanthropic endeavors benefit the youth, homeless, elderly, and agencies such as Chapman Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, March of Dimes, and Global Empowerment Mission.

Dr. Raffington’s commitment to the successful development of youth extends to her role as founder of Youth Career Institute. She and her team of volunteers initiated a Student Achievement Awards Program in which students are rewarded at the end of each grading period for academics, attendance, and conduct. Youth Career Institute’s most recent initiative is The Mentoring Hour, a community outreach focused on career readiness for youth.

She enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and gardening.

Diana Morrell is a happily retired executive of British Airways having worked for 39 wonderful years with them. She held various managerial positions throughout her tenor including Area Director for Southeast USA, where she managed the customer service operations at eight airports within the British Airways network.

Diana is a member of Kiwanis Club of Kendall South Dade, a service organization of volunteers, whose mission is to improve the world one child and one community at a time. She is a Distinguished Past President of this organization.

As a Guardian Ad Litem, a volunteer who is an advocate for Florida’s abused and neglected children, Diana represents the best interest of an assigned child before the courts, social service agencies and the community.

When not travelling, or enjoying her favorite sports, she spends her time volunteering at various organizations.

David Ameir brings more than 30 years experience in diverse auditing, accounting, finance, and tax capabilities to the role of Treasurer for Youth Career Institute, Inc. He gained extensive internal and external auditing experience from senior management roles for a variety of companies, including the Caribbean Cement Company and Coopers and Lybrand, now PwC. Most recently, he was the CFO for Asphalt Research Technology, where his responsibilities included payroll, billing, expenses, budgeting, and management accounting.

David’s experience in nonprofit management includes Treasurer for Kendall Community Church of God. He is the proud recipient of an award from Kendall Church of God for his leadership in budgeting and cost management. David also contributed to the fiscal management of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Miami).

David earned Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Management from the University of the West Indies and a Master’s in Accounting from Nova Southeastern University. He is an avid basketball, soccer, and cricket fan.

Debbie Blake is a creative and resourceful leader with a 20+-year history in the client services, project management, marketing, and account management arena. With extensive experience in strategic planning, service delivery, cross-functional team leadership, training, mentoring, and problem resolution, Debbie is passionate about using this skill set to give back to young people and is excited to be a part of Youth Career Institute. Debbie holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership from Mercer University, an MBA in Technology Management from Walden University, and is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Debbie enjoys traveling, listening to music and spending time with her daughter.

Marian Lynch is a community activist with a passion for improving the lives of people in Miami Dade County and around the world. An active member of Cornerstone Church she participates in the food pantry and visitation ministries. Her outreach to underserved communities around the world, include mission trips to Jamaica and direct support for students in Jamaica.

Marian is very passionate about the successful development of youth. A longtime volunteer with The Listeners Program, she expends considerable time training for her role as a listener. She has been recognized by the Listeners for mentoring youth in Miami Dade County Public Schools.

Marian holds an MBA from Barry University and has more than 30 years experience in banking and accounting. She enjoys participating in social and cultural events around South Florida.