Genesys Works Accelerates National Expansion With Staff Addition

Houston, TX (October 21, 2009) - Genesys Works, a Houston-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit recently named Autumn McDonald as National Director of Strategic Initiatives. This new position marks the growth of Genesys Works' national office from where McDonald will help lead the organization's national expansion into multiple markets around the U.S. McDonald has worked in education and non-profit sectors for more than a decade. She served most recently with the Center for Reform of School Systems as Director of Curriculum and Research and as Principal with Catalyst Education Consulting. McDonald holds a Master's in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Master's in the Learning Sciences from Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.

"I am very excited to join Genesys Works as they rewrite the story for high school students and to be part of an organization that is committed to affecting social change and innovation at scale," states Ms. McDonald.

"As Genesys Works expands nationally, Autumn's experience and contributions will provide us with new ideas and initiatives that will keep us moving forward," states Rafael Alvarez, Founder and CEO of Genesys Works.

About Genesys Works:

Genesys Works is a Houston-based non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Rafael Alvarez. The mission is to enable economically-disadvantaged high school students to enter the economic mainstream by providing them with the knowledge and work experience required to succeed as professionals. Students are placed into an intensive training program that prepares them to work in a meaningful capacity in large corporations during their senior year of high school. Immersion into the corporate world creates life change for these students showing possibility that they can succeed as professionals.

With more than 40 of Houston's largest corporations participating, Genesys reaches approximately 250 students per year with more than 95% of the graduates enrolling into college immediately after high school. Many receive major scholarships with the assistance of the Genesys Works College Connection program.

Genesys expanded into Minnesota in 2008 and has plans to expand into Chicago in 2010 and other major metropolitan areas in the country.