Shauna-Lee Ruglass, MSW is the Chief of Staff at YouthBuild USA and a Mental Health & Wellness advocate for those proximate to and impacted by today’s systemic and societal problems. She is a clinically trained (macro) social worker, who has a deep understanding of positive human development, trauma sensitivity, facilitative leadership for social change, racial trauma and equity, inclusion, mindfulness, stress management, belonging, and healing.
As Chief of Staff, she drives strategy, fosters culture, and sets and implements priorities for key organizational initiatives. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she is a trusted advisor to the CEO, a non-voting member of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, and a strong partner to the organization’s Human Resource and People Department.
In addition, Shauna-Lee oversees YouthBuild USA’s alumni services and engagement efforts to increase connection with a network of more than 180,000 YouthBuild students worldwide. With over 15 years of experience in positive youth development, alumni engagement, strategic planning, program design, Shauna-Lee also brings with her a strong focus and dedicated passion for creating and prioritizing mental health, wellness, and healing-focused initiatives.
Shauna-Lee is a positive force and has spent majority of her career working to bring evidence- based interventions and programming to marginalized communities and individuals in need. She received a master’s degree in clinical social work from Simmons College, now named Simmons University.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in print journalism. She also holds certificates in Personal Development Coaching from CaPP Institute (2014); Trauma Awareness & Resilience from Boston Public Health Commission (2015); Facilitative Leadership for Social Change from the Interaction Institute (2017); and Urban Leadership from Simmons College School of Social Work (2017).