Our Executive Team

Arthur Soriano

Founder/ Chief Executive Officer

As Founder/CEO, Arthur oversees all programs, advocacy activities and training programs for Youth Empowerment. He is the “face” of the organization and is a sought-after motivational speaker and subject matter expert.

Arturo serves on the board of directors for the National Parents Union. He is a gang consultant and expert witness for superior and federal court systems; he provides consultation and expert witness testimony for attorneys in the San Diego County criminal court system; he presents regularly to San Diego County Office of Probation, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Attorney General’s Department, San Diego City Council and San Diego County Supervisors; he is a practitioner/trainer of Trauma Informed Care and advocates for the assumption of the Trauma Informed Care Code of Conduct by all entities that work with traumatized individuals.

He is certified in Interactive Journaling for Forward Thinking & Courage to Change; Moral Reconation Therapy; a Seeking Safety Facilitator and included in SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. He has been a trainer and facilitator for the International Institute for Restorative Practices; a Peer Support Partner with Children’s Services; served on the Family, Youth Roundtable for San Diego County; Wellness Planning & Life Goals planning; San Diego Community Mentor Collaborative training program at Alliant University; and the Alternatives to Incarceration Training Institute.

Arthur is also the co-author of Hidden Treasures, a book that takes readers on a journey through fields of poverty and fatherless homes, to stabbings on the streets and in inner city schools, to the hospital, to the courts and to prison cells; to recovery homes and back again until, one by one, gang members finally transform their lives.

Check out my NEW Book: The Resilience Blueprint

Steven Vigil

Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer

Steven Vigil started his career with Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (SCBU) a California based non-profit organization whose mission is to promote multicultural social justice, nonviolence, and economic equity through cultural healing, civic leadership, and youth & community development. From there he joined the United Nations (UN) and has worked in several capacities at the UN Secretariat in New York and in post-conflict peacekeeping missions, including East Timor, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan and Afghanistan. Following his time with the UN he has worked on peacebuilding projects in South Sudan, Guatemala and El Salvador as well as throughout the United States.

In the fall of 2018, he played a supporting role in the initial set-up and operations of a migrant shelter in San Diego in response to the arrival of thousands of Central American Asylum seekers at the border. Currently he serves as the Chief of Policy & Strategy for Youth Empowerment, a San Diego based grassroots organization that inspires leadership through community mentorship, resiliency building, advocacy, and system transformation for justice involved individuals and families from historically marginalized communities.

Mr. Vigil holds a BA from the University of California Santa Cruz and an MA in International Affairs from the School for International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

Rachel Wales

Chief Administrative Officer

As the Chief Administrative Officer, Rachel manages the organization’s financial accounts, onboarding of new employees and payroll, compliance and reporting.

The effects of incarceration reach beyond prison walls. Rachel was only six months old when her brother, Arthur Soriano, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Arthur’s cycles of incarceration caused Rachel to feel betrayed and confused. However, their sibling bond was resilient, and they eventually found their way back to one another. After seeing a true transformation through his involvement in the community and the founding of Youth Empowerment, Rachel knew Arthur had changed for the better. Today, they strive to give back to their communities and help others who are living a story similar to their own.

Alexis J. Crespo

Director of Programming & Development

Alexis J. Crespo serves as the Director of Programming & Development at Youth Empowerment, where she specializes in strategic operations and program management. With a sharp focus on development and innovation, Alexis oversees our youth division and spearheads the creation of new programs and initiatives.

Her responsibilities extend beyond program management to include oversight of marketing and outreach efforts. Alexis plays a crucial role in developing opportunities with key stakeholders, partnerships, and donors, ensuring that Youth Empowerment's vision aligns with community needs and organizational goals.

Her expertise in fostering significant relationships and her strategic approach to development are instrumental in advancing our mission to empower youth through targeted programs and meaningful collaborations

Our Leads

Sheffah Chevis

LEAD FOR ADULT REENTRY PROGRAM
Sheffah Chevis leads our Adult Mentorship Program at Youth Empowerment, serving nearly 200 mentees annually with specialized support for adults aged 18 to 60 on Post-Release Community Supervision. The program features curriculums like The Courage to Change and Parents on a Mission, focusing on personal development and family relationships to help reduce recidivism and support community re-engagement. Funded through fundraising, contracts, and grants, the program benefits from mentors with lived experience and trauma-informed training.
Eddie Salas

LEAD FOR JUVENILE PROBATION PROGRAM
Eddie Salas leads our Youth Mentorship Program at Youth Empowerment, reaching nearly 300 young individuals annually, aged 13 to 24. The program primarily serves mentees on Juvenile Probation—including those under Gang Supervision and Youthful Offender Supervision—through various curriculums like Forward Thinking & Interactive Journaling, Healthy Relationships, and Seeking Safety. Special attention is given to young parents through Parents on a Mission. Committed to inclusivity, the program ensures that no young person seeking help is turned away, supported by mentors trained in trauma-informed care. The initiative is funded by individual fundraising, contracts, and grants.
Hector Martinez

LEAD FOR YOUTH AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Our After-School Program, Co- led by Hector Martinez, provides a dynamic and supportive environment where youth can participate in a range of activities that extend their learning beyond the traditional classroom. The program focuses on personal growth, social-emotional development, and career exploration, ensuring that each participant receives tailored support and guidance. With a variety of engaging activities and opportunities, the program fosters a community where young individuals can thrive, discover new interests, and develop essential life skills in a safe and nurturing setting.
Michelle Wales

ADMINISTRATOR FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Michelle Wales is the Co-lead of School Programming at Youth Empowerment, where she ensures operational efficiency by managing staff access to the program's database for case notes, tracking attendance, and coordinating mentor activities. Her oversight is crucial for maintaining accurate records and supporting the smooth execution of school programs, thereby enabling the team to provide consistent and effective mentorship and support to participants.