About Us
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Learn about our mission, our vision, and our team.
Our Mission
Be Your Own Hero, Inc. 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization whose headquarters are in Western New York. Our mission is to serve as the bridge between education and employment for young adults.
Through our founders’ years of experience matching people with careers, we uncovered a prevalent need among our youth to understand the opportunities before them, based not only on what they study, but also by uncovering the demands of tomorrow’s career.
In 2018, the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook highlighted the challenges faced by employers and the current workforce: the disconnect between the skills employers are searching for compared to the level of competency within their employees and current job candidates (NACE Job Outlook Survey, 2018).
Be Your Own Hero’s curriculum is designed to change the mindset and career approach of job seekers everywhere, changing the pipeline of professionals entering the workforce.
We have had remarkable success in educating job seekers in the nuances of the new economy, as well as in viewing their careers as the adventure they own – hence the name “Be Your Own Hero.”
Our Values
Every young adult should receive equal opportunity to pursue the career of their dreams.
Meet Our Board of Directors
JOAN GRACI
President, Co-Founder
JEAN FILIPIAK
Vice President, Co-Founder
JIM BRAWDY
Director, Co-Founder
TODD GRACI
Director
ABBY HOPKINS
Director
SHANTINA ADDISON
Director
KRISTINA HOGENMILLER
Director
ERIC WATSON
Director
TONY LICHT
Director