We are pleased to share that Jaylen Bledsoe, the Managing Director at Flare Partners, has been elected as the next Chair of the Wyman Center's Board of Trustees. This marks a significant milestone, as Jaylen is the first Wyman Leaders alumni to ascend to the role of Wyman Center's Board Chair. Stepping into this leadership role at the age of 25, Jaylen will succeed the esteemed Amy Berg, the current Board Chair, starting his tenure in January 2024.
A testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, Jaylen founded Flare Partners (initially as Bledsoe Technologies) at the age of 12. Under his guidance and visionary leadership, Flare Partners has reached remarkable milestones, including generating over $4B in incremental revenue growth for our portfolio of clients.
On reflecting about his association with the Wyman Center, Jaylen shared, “Wyman had a profound impact on me as a young person. The center's dedication to not only nurturing the youth but also partnering with them on pivotal issues is truly admirable. This connection with Wyman has given me an enriching bond with the current generation of Wyman teens. I am invigorated daily to magnify our impact, fortified by the steadfast support of many individuals and organizations.”
This new leadership role for Jaylen represents more than just a position; it epitomizes his enduring commitment to youth development and empowerment. We, at Flare Partners, take immense pride in Jaylen's achievements and are unequivocally confident that he will infuse the same zeal and dedication in his role at the Wyman Center. Alongside Jaylen's appointment, the Wyman Center also welcomed its new CEO, Allison Williams. This followed the retirement of Claire Wyneken, who dedicated nearly 37 years of service to Wyman and the young people it serves.
Read the full leadership announcement, here.
Learn more about Wyman Center and its' Programs, here.
About Jaylen D. Bledsoe
Jaylen D. Bledsoe is the Chairman of the Bledsoe Collective, Inc. and Managing Director of Flare Partners. Jaylen has been responsible for driving $4B+ in new client revenue and managing $10B+ in client P&Ls, often partnering directly with C-level executives.
Jaylen has served on AT&T’s Supplier Diversity Board, advised White House officials in President Obama’s Administration on economic policies impacting small businesses, and has served on various non-profit organization boards. His prior board service includes the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, the Biome School, Multitasking Hearts Corp, Breach, Jordin Sparks’ The M.A.D. Girls, Inc., and, notably, as the former Board Chair of the National Youth Rights Association.
Jaylen has received awards for leading the Bledsoe Collective, such as the Business Journals Top 40 under 40. In addition, he has spoken to audiences at institutions such as the White House, Stanford University, Facebook, Google, and many more.
About Wyman Center
For 125 years, Wyman has believed in the power of teens. Through proven programs, Wyman impacts the lives of more than 3,000 youth in the St. Louis area, and nearly 30,000 nationally, every year. Wyman teens are confident, motivated, and connected to their communities. They graduate from high school at higher rates than their peers, aware of the opportunities available to them. Wyman staff are experts in working with teens, empowering them to build new skills and be their best selves. Wyman is a local organization with a national impact, training adults across the country to provide meaningful experiences for young people. Learn more about Wyman Center at www.WymanCenter.org.