Founder Kevin Singleton

Kevin Singleton is a Grammy Award winning songwriter, cross cultural musician, nonprofit youth development mentor and social entrepreneur. Some of Kevin’s songs have been sung by faith-based organizations globally. He has performed at conferences and school assemblies for more than 3 million students and educators in 20 countries around the world.

In 2009 Kevin founded Elevate New York, a New York City Department of Education accredited, in-school/after-school mentoring 501c3. Over the last decade, he has raised and invested almost $3.5 million into NYC Community School district 8. Kevin is currently in a new development role with major donors at Elevate. He is also working on developing a music ranch for creatives to rest, rejuvenate and record.

“I joined the Board of Directors and founded Elevate New York to provide under-exposed youth with opportunities that were never available to me.”

interim Board Chair Andrew Jopling, Vista Equity Partners

Andrew Jopling is a Vice President in Brookfield's Real Estate Group in New York, where he focuses on strategic initiatives, client portfolio management, and capital formation for co-investments and direct transactions. He brings over a decade of experience across alternative assets and institutional capital markets, having previously held roles at Vista Equity Partners and Goldman Sachs, where he advised global investors on alternative investment strategies.

Andrew began his career in real estate private equity and holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Outside of work, Andrew is passionate about the outdoors, thrives on friendly competition, and is committed to youth education and mentorship.

“Only through the support and guidance of countless mentors and advisors was I able to make it to where I am today, and I joined the Elevate New York board of directors to play a part in providing that same support and guidance to the under-exposed students of Elevate and the South Bronx.”

Heather Atria, American Express

Heather Bell Atria has been Manager, Legal Affairs at American Express since 2004.  She provides legal support for the Global Travel & Lifestyle Services (TLS) and Global Premium Products & Benefits (GPPB) businesses.  Heather is also the global lead for SALT (American Express’ Christian Colleague Network).  Prior to joining American Express, Heather was the Director of Contract Administration for the National Hockey League, Manager of Contract Administration for the licensing company 4Kids Productions (f/k/a Leisure Concepts Inc.) and Assistant Vice President of the Solsbury Group, an aviation consulting firm.

Ms. Atria resides in Queens, New York and Boca Raton, FL with her husband and together enjoy their 5 children, 2 grandchildren, travel, missions work, swimming and running their restaurant. 

“My reason for joining Elevate at its inception was that I truly believe in the mission, vision and the leadership.  Children are so important to me and I loved the unique legacy building model of Elevate and their realistic and wholistic approach to reaching out to underexposed youth.”