FOUNDER & PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Tonya L. Barnes is a native Rochesterian and a graduate of the University of Buffalo. She received her Family Development Credentialing through Cornell University in 1999. Tonya has also been trained in Lean Six Sigma and has successfully completed 3 projects using its methodology. Tonya has a passion for working with youth which began soon after graduating from college. She spent the early years of her career counseling youth through the Salvation Army, Urban League and Center for Youth Services.

Tonya graduated from the African American Leadership program in 2007 and currently serves on Sojourner House's Board of Directors, a transitional home for women who have been affected by addiction and mental illness. She also serves as a steering committee member of the Rochester Educational Opportunity Centers Perkins Grant committee. She is affiliated with the North Greece Road Church of Christ.

CAREER AND AFFILIATIONS

Tonya in 2011 received a community service award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women. Tonya is also a recipient of the "175 Most Empowering Women of Rochester" Award. Tonya is committed to serving women of all ages in the Rochester community through education, life skills training, exercise and community service. By far, Tonya's proudest accomplishment, however, is being one of the Founders and Program Coordinator for the STAR Debutante Program and touching the lives of young women of Rochester. Tonya was a member of The Rochester Debutante Club, Inc., from 1980-1982, and made her debut into society in 1983.

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