Dayton transplant retained by updayton becomes new Executive Director
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After almost a year and a half, updayton’s first Executive Director, Yvette Kelly-Fields, will be moving on to a new position in the Dayton area. In her place, updayton is confident that the new Executive Director, Laura Estandia, will fill the position with experience and passion.

Estandia came to the Dayton area as a college student and chose to make Dayton her home after graduation. When presented the chance to leave the area, Estandia’s participation as project chair of updayton’s “Unifying the Divide” project helped influence her decision to stay in the city she had grown to love. In addition to her passion for the betterment of the Dayton region and her extensive experience as a team leader, Estandia impressed the updayton search committee with her demonstrated experience in project management, public relations and event planning through her work with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, where she has been employed for the past two years.

As the new Executive Director of updayton, Estandia will lead the planning for the annual Young Creatives Summit, provide support to volunteer-led programs and projects that emerge from the Summit, work with community partners to raise funds and support for the organization’s long-term sustainability, and manage a communication plan among updayton constituents.

The updayton Steering Committee, consisting of project chairs and event organizers from past years, will continue to be heavily involved in the organization and provide Estandia support. Adam Coatney-Schuler, updayton Chair for the past year says, “Laura is the perfect match for updayton. In addition to her stellar resume, she’s a personification of our mission. She’s a talented local graduate who could go anywhere, but she chose to make Dayton her home and is now working with updayton to convince other talented young people to do the same. Her experience and passion will make her a driving force in the organization and the community at large.”

updayton is reliant upon many community partners that provide resources to further the mission of the organization through the Summit and volunteer projects. This position has been made possible through collaboration with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education.