Byron V. Garrett is leading a new phase of growth at Genesys Works, a nonprofit that prepares high school students from underserved communities for college and professional careers through paid internships and workforce training.
As chief executive officer, Garrett is expanding corporate partnerships and national investment to help the organization reach more students while addressing workforce needs across the country.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and that gap has real consequences for young people and for the companies that need them,” Garrett said. “Genesys Works exists to close that gap.”
Founded in 2002, Genesys Works has helped nearly 14,000 students build pathways to higher education and employment. The program begins with intensive summer training in business and technology skills before students are placed in year-long paid internships with leading employers. Participants also receive college and career coaching throughout the program.
In 2024, the organization placed 1,227 students in paid internships, generating $11.9 million in student earnings. The program also achieved a 90% college enrollment rate, nearly double the national average for students from similar backgrounds. More than 2,600 students participate annually through partnerships with more than 225 companies and nearly 200 schools nationwide.
The organization’s long-term results also point to lasting economic impact. Alumni earn bachelor’s degrees at 2.6 times the rate of their peers, while 75% out-earn at least one parent within seven years. Median alumni earnings exceed $70,000, and 35% complete degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, compared with 9% nationally among similar student populations.
Garrett’s background spans nonprofit leadership, government, and the private sector, including executive roles at United Way Worldwide, the National Job Corps Association, and the National PTA. That experience has shaped his strategy of aligning education with workforce development while creating stronger talent pipelines for employers.
Corporate partners say the internship model benefits both students and business.
“Their internship model is innovative because it makes business sense,” said former Deloitte Vice Chairman Alison Kenney Paul. “The Genesys Works interns have generated value and enabled us.”
Former Target Chief Information Officer Mike McNamara said more than 300 students have completed internships at the company, earning more than $3 million in wages.
For students, the experience often changes the course of their future.
“Thanks to this program, I’ve gained invaluable experience at my internship, which has prepared me well for USC,” said Rebecca Sefa, a 2024 graduate. “Genesys Works has truly been a game-changer in my life.”
Genesys Works currently operates in Houston, Chicago, the Twin Cities, the San Francisco Bay Area, the National Capital Region, New York City, Tulsa, Jacksonville, and Nashville. As the organization approaches its 25th anniversary, Garrett is leading plans to expand to 14 sites by 2028.
Backed by more than $40 million in annual revenue, including over $26 million invested directly in program services, and major philanthropic support such as a $7 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, Garrett believes expanding opportunity is both a social and economic imperative.
“Every internship we place is a door opened, a career launched, and a future changed,” Garrett said. “We’re building a generation of professionals who are ready to add value and proving that investing in young people is one of the smartest decisions any company can make.”
Photo Credit: Paul Graves
