About OUR FOUNDER

Jasmond Nelson is the visionary founder and Executive Director of Inspire Together, a community-rooted organization dedicated to supporting individuals navigating re-entry, housing instability, and barriers to opportunity. With a deep commitment to and a passion to serve youth, Jasmond brings over a decade of experience in advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community empowerment.

Jasmond’s passion is grounded in lived experience as a former foster youth and navigating foster care and homelessness. Jasmond believes all youth deserve resources and essential needs to overcome trauma while utilizing a housing first approach. Jasmond continues to champion policies and programs that drive systemic change while keeping humanity at the heart of her work.

Under Jasmond’s leadership, Inspire Together has launched innovative youth programs, which including housing, drop-in centers workforce readiness and pre-apprenticeship programs, rental assistance, reentry youth services, created curriculums and holistic wraparound services aimed at uplifting and supporting vulnerable youth and to meet them where they are. Her approach centers on passion and dignity, also creating authentic programs for youth that provide lasting impact.

Meet the Team

  • Raquel Wilson

    Program Manager

    Raquel Wilson is the new Program Manager and a passionate youth development professional dedicated to empowering young people through innovative programs and personalized support. With lived experiences that inform her work, Raquel specializes in creating strategic plans that promote continued growth, career readiness, and educational success. Committed to building strong community connections, she tirelessly works to ensure youth have access to meaningful opportunities that foster their potential and inspire lasting change.

  • Lakeisha Thedford

    Program Supervisor

    Lakeisha Thedford is the Program Supervisor for Inspire Together. The organization is dedicated to supporting the community and assisting with their diverse needs, and she is personally passionate about its mission. It is her sincere aim to give back to the community, educate individuals on available resources and programs, and ultimately make a positive and lasting change in people's lives. 

  • Neha Deshmukh

    HR Specialist 

    Neha Deshmukh is the Human Resources Specialist at Inspire Together, where she leads and manages all aspects of the HR department. From recruitment and onboarding to payroll, policy creation, benefits, and performance evaluations, she ensures HR operations run smoothly and align with the organization’s goals. Neha also plays a strategic role in shaping workplace culture, addressing compliance and conflict matters, and supporting long-term organizational growth. As a core member of the leadership team, she is committed to fostering a positive, mission-driven work environment for all staff.

  • Htay Thaw

    Non-Profit Accountant

    Htay Thaw is the Non-Profit Accountant at Inspire Togehter, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial transparency, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of public funds. She was inspired to join Inspire Together by its mission to uplift underserved communities through meaningful support and outreach. Through accurate financial reporting and strategic budget management, Htay helps maximize the impact of every dollar invested in the organization’s programs.

  • Pooja Bhattacharya

    Grant Writer Supervisor

    Pooja Bhattacharya is the Grant Writer Supervisor at Inspire Together, where she leads grant strategy, develops policies, and creates intake forms. She also facilitates life skills workshops for youth. Pooja holds a Master of Public Health from Cal State LA and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from India. She brings expertise in grant writing, project management, and public health.