Corporate Board

President – Parker Authier
Parker Authier is one of the co-founders of IYLead and had the initial idea to start it. Parker brings years of experience in similar organizations based out of state and has been on the Corporate Board, planning committee, of the Michigan organization Michigan Youth Leadership. Parker believes that everyone has what it takes to be a leader and wants to do everything he can to help others recognize that fact, and help them gather the skills they need to succeed. Parker received his bachelor degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering from Kettering University and works for Endress + Hauser in R&D as an Embedded Software Engineer. Parker is also a mentor for the FIRST robotics team 6721 the Tindley Trailblazers. When not volunteering, he loves to play dungeons and dragons, video games, and to hang out with friends.

Vice President – Hailey Surd

Hailey Surd is the Vice President and one of the co-founders of IYLead. Hailey is an IUPUI graduate and has a degree in Organizational Leadership.

Treasurer – Karrajah Smith

Karrajah Smith is one of the co-founders of IYLead and she works as an Electrical Engineer for Magnetic Instrumentation, Inc., designing and manufacturing machines that create magnetic fields. Before becoming an engineer, Karrajah discovered her love for STEAM after joining her high school robotics team, 6721 Tindley Trailblazers. Karrajah is now a mentor of that same team and helped them get to the FIRST Robotics Worlds Championship in Houston, TX last year. Becoming a mentor and connecting with students has changed Karrajah’s entire trajectory and outlook on life. Karrajah believes in the fact that people change people. Without the people that she has encountered in robotics, Karrajah would never be where she is today. In her free time, Karrajah enjoys reading, soldering, kayaking and piloting a new 3-D printing business.