Boston - Chapter Lead, Head of Market Data Reliability Engineering, Fidelity 

Before joining Year Up United, Carlos Torres worked minimum wage retail jobs to support himself and his young children, prioritizing their well-being above all else. His primary focus was providing stability for his family, but he knew he wanted more for their future. When he discovered Year Up United, Carlos saw an opportunity to change his path. Inspired by the program’s mission to create equal opportunities, he fully embraced the technical training, mentorship, and community support. Through his internship, he learned adaptability and problem-solving, discovering how to turn challenges into stepping stones for growth. 

Today, Carlos is the Chapter Lead, Head of Market Data Reliability Engineering at Fidelity, where he has built a thriving career for over nine years. He’s become a confident leader, driving innovation and guiding impactful projects. Carlos credits Year Up United for helping him recognize his own potential and develop the determination to succeed. Now, he’s committed to lifting others as he climbs, using his journey to inspire and empower the next generation, just as Year Up United did for him. 

Boston - Information Technology Specialist 3, Abt Global 

Before joining Year Up United, Yesenia Palma was in her senior year of high school, juggling her studies while working at a bakery to cover her expenses. With limited resources to continue her education, she was considering taking on a second job after graduation. When her school counselor mentioned Year Up United, Yesenia was intrigued, especially since her brother, Victor Palma, had graduated from the program a few years before. After learning more about the opportunities Year Up United could offer, she decided to apply, hoping to find a path that would allow her to grow professionally and build a future beyond just making ends meet. 

During the Year Up United program, Yesenia was exposed to the professional world for the first time. She learned how to navigate a corporate environment, express herself professionally, and present herself appropriately in the workplace. The experience opened her eyes to her own potential, teaching her that with hard work and dedication, she could achieve more than she had ever imagined. After completing the program, Yesenia’s career took off. She began her professional journey at Abt Global Inc., where she had interned through Year Up United, and has now been with the company for over 19 years. Today she is an Information Technology Specialist 3 and Helpdesk Manager, leading various SSA projects. Inspired by the impact Year Up United had on her own life, Yesenia encouraged her sister, Miriam, to apply, leading her to join and graduate from the program in 2007. Reflecting on her journey, Yesenia credits Year Up United with preparing her to be the professional she is today, and believes her current success wouldn’t have been possible without the training and preparation she received. 

Rhode Island - Senior Solutions Architect, Amazon 

Anel Perez, a Rhode Island native, was just 17 years old when he joined Year Up United in 2007. At the time, he was a teenage father juggling the challenges of raising his daughter, working part-time as a retail associate, and searching for a path that offered stability and growth for his family. While his retail job was steady, it lacked the long-term opportunities he needed to build a more stable future. Encouraged by a friend who had attended the program, Anel decided to take a chance on Year Up United, seeing it as his best opportunity to develop the skills and connections to achieve his goals. 

Year Up United was the turning point that Anel was seeking. Equipped with newfound technical skills and professional confidence, he secured an internship that launched a successful career. Today, Anel is a Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, where he has been for over eight years, earning multiple promotions and making a significant impact through innovative projects.  Anel remains deeply connected to Year Up United, serving on its Board of Directors and contributing to alumni initiatives. In addition to his professional achievements, he relocated to New York City, with his wife, and welcomed another daughter into their family. 

New York - Senior Vice President, Bank of America 

Jason Coullette was balancing college courses and a part-time job when he realized he needed a new direction. He wanted more, a chance to grow and break into the corporate world, a space he once thought was beyond his reach. When his high school mentor introduced him to Year Up United, he saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain the professional skills and exposure needed to make that leap. Through the program, he developed essential competencies, but his biggest takeaways were the power of networking and the confidence to speak publicly, skills that would prove invaluable throughout his career. 

Today, Jason is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America, a role he once thought was unattainable. Coming from Jamaica, Queens, and now thriving at one of the world’s largest financial institutions, he sees his journey as a testament to resilience and access to opportunity. Year Up United provided the foundation that enabled him to exceed his own expectations, turn his aspirations into achievements, and inspire others to do the same. 

National Capital Region - Entrepreneur and Senior Network Design Engineer, Government Accountability Office   

Before Year Up United, Aaron Robinson felt stuck, unsure of how to turn his ambitions into reality. He credits the program as his turning point, providing not only technical skills but also a mindset rooted in growth and determination. Year Up United taught him to see obstacles as opportunities and gave him the confidence to pursue goals he once thought were out of reach. The experience instilled values of accountability, continuous learning, and innovation, principles that would guide him as he built a thriving career and multiple successful businesses. This transformation was so powerful that Aaron decided to model his own business after the ideologies he learned during his time at Year Up United, building his company on the foundations of accountability, productive feedback, and an innovative spirit. 

Today, Aaron is a seasoned Network Architect and Design Engineer, consulting for a publicly traded telecommunications company under an eight-year contract with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). He leads a team modernizing their network infrastructure and has secured additional contracts through his business. Beyond this work, Aaron co-manages a music production and staffing division in Los Angeles, integrating creative music services with technical solutions for live productions for top artists like CoCo Jones, Jennifer Lopez, and more. He also gives back by mentoring students through an internship program with USC’s music department. Aaron credits Year Up United for transforming his life, and he now strives to create opportunities for others, fostering an environment where creativity and hard work come together, just as the program did for him.