Mikaela Wilburn joined The James Irvine Foundation in January 2021, as a Program Associate. She provides support to our Better Careers initiative, Impact Assessment and Learning, and communications teams.

Mikaela has worked within the nonprofit sector since 2016. She previously served with the RYSE Youth center in Richmond, California as the Career Pathways Specialist for 3 years. Her work primarily revolved around supporting systems impacted youth. She implemented and designed programs for navigating career pathways and the personal and professional development of youth, through job readiness training and entrepreneurship education.

Her introduction to nonprofits began through her volunteer work with the Bay Area Rescue Mission, where she has volunteered since her youth. She has utilized her background in the arts and passion for youth to support her community.

Mikaela spent the entirety of her life in the Bay Area, up until attending college at Seattle Pacific University. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Apparel and Textile Design with a minor in Communications. With her degree, she plans to create spaces for youth that are centered on the arts as a form of creative outlet.