Elizabeth Walker is the Adult Advisor for YOUTHadelphia, Philadelphia’s only city-wide youth led philanthropy board. Liz’s interest in Youth Engagement began while serving as a college Intern in the Philadelphia Freedom Schools Movement for three years. After Graduating from Bard College as an Anthropology Major concentrating in African Diaspora Studies and Gender Studies, Liz taught elementary school for three years at Leadership Learning Partners Charter School.  In 2002, Liz received training from the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s creating an Original Opera Program where she learned how to formally teach young people to write, design, produce and promote their own youth-led musical production. In 2004 Liz became the Director of Youth Programs at the Friends Neighborhood Guild, one of Philadelphia’s oldest Settlement Homes.  It was as Director that Liz began to learn the significance of community partnerships, outreach and community fundraising in grassroots organizations. Partnering with local artists, activists, and educational facilities and after school programs Liz helped established a variety of youth and adult programs and art venues that focused on enhancing social activism, creative arts, financial literacy, healthy living, positive relationships, academic support and more.