Desiree Tyus is the founder and CEO of Kid-Friendly Network, a locally based organization that brings businesses and organizations together to share their programs, events and services within their community through networking, collaboration and coordination. True to her passion of connecting the comm(unity) together, she serves as the Associate Executive Director for the Community Development Branch of the Gateway Region YMCA. She has an extensive background in program development, organizational operations, community relations and diversity and inclusion training’s. Desiree received her master of education degree at our nation’s #1 School of Education, John Hopkins University and undergraduate degrees in psychology, African American studies and Korean studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about education, putting children first and exposing people to opportunities outside of their normal experiences. Desiree is eager to develop innovative ideas, collaborate on plans, and produce results that will enhance youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. When she is not spending time with her three children or family, she enjoys traveling, playing catch up with her military brat colleagues around the globe, learning languages, experimenting the consumption of ethnic cuisine, interior decorating, event planning and reading.