Staff
Lynette White-Colin
Incoming Chief Executive Officer
Lynnette White-Colin brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development and business growth to her role as CEO of the AYA Foundation. A passionate advocate for equity, she has dedicated her career to helping Black entrepreneurs access capital, contracts, and opportunities to build generational wealth and create lasting impact in their communities. Prior to joining AYA, Lynnette served as Interim CEO and Senior Vice President for Business Growth and Strategy at the New Orleans Business Alliance, where she led initiatives that generated over $43 million in capital and $199 million in procurement contracts for small businesses of color.
At AYA, Lynnette will build on the foundation’s bold mission to ensure Black entrepreneurs in Colorado thrive. She is deeply committed to accelerating AYA’s impact, expanding its reach, and fostering economic opportunities that strengthen Black communities across the state.
Benilda (Benny) Samuels
Outgoing Chief Executive Officer
Benny Samuels is a distinguished leader in health, human services, and social change, with over 35 years of experience. She has spearheaded transformative initiatives focusing on increased access, equity, and empowerment for children, families, and communities, particularly those of color and living in poverty. Her accomplishments include significant reductions in unintended pregnancies through the Statewide Colorado Family Planning Project and enrolling thousands in healthcare programs like Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus. Benny’s expertise extends to philanthropy, supporting initiatives for Black men, families in the child welfare system, and American Indian children. Recognized for her leadership, she has been honored as one of Colorado’s Top 40 Most Powerful Women and received prestigious awards from organizations like the Urban League of Metro Denver and SweetFeet for her mentorship in the nonprofit sector.
Outside of her community work, Benny enjoys traveling and outdoor activities and serves on various advisory boards, including the Governor-appointed Colorado Outdoor Equity Board and the Rose Hospital advisory board.
Tonoa Manuel
Chief Operations Officer
Tonoa is a transformational leader committed to reimagining business, leadership, and community through the lens of liberation, restoration, and intentional design. As the Chief Operating Officer of the AYA Foundation she guide individuals, organizations, and ecosystems through evolutionary growth by building infrastructure that aligns identity, purpose, and impact. Tonoa’s work is grounded in liberatory design—a practice that challenges traditional systems and centers the humanity, culture, and lived experience of those historically excluded from power. Over the last decade, she has supported entrepreneurs, nonprofits, government agencies, and foundations in designing restorative business ecosystems that support long-term growth, sustainability, and community wellness. Whether coaching executive leaders through succession planning, helping organizations clarify their internal structure, or facilitating retreats that connect strategy to healing, her approach integrates mindset work with tactical implementation.