A Journey To Leadership
Dion-Jay “DJ” Brookter’s life is grounded in resilience and a dedication to empowering his community. Raised in Fresno, California, his parents instilled in him values of perseverance, integrity, and excellence.
During high school, Brookter lost his mother to scleroderma—a turning point that sharpened his determination to succeed. A student-athlete, he earned a full athletic scholarship to Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication.
At Utah State, volunteering with communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina gave DJ a clear sense of purpose and shaped his career direction.
After graduation, DJ briefly pursued a corporate career before turning to the nonprofit sector within a year. Returning to Fresno, he joined the Fresno Career Development Institute (FCDI) as a Workshop Facilitator, supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through skill-building and job opportunities. He also earned a Master of Business Administration during this time.
In late 2010, DJ moved to San Francisco and joined Young Community Developers (YCD) in the Bayview–Hunters Point neighborhood as a New Directions Employment Coordinator.
At YCD, DJ rose through the ranks—serving as Director of Operations and Deputy Director—and helped grow the organization’s budget from $850,000 to over $10 million through expanded workforce development, education, and economic opportunity programs.
In 2016, he was recruited as Executive Director of the Southeast Community Facility, overseeing its administration, policies, and strategic direction. His connection to YCD remained strong, and he returned as Interim Executive Director when Supervisor Shamann Walton transitioned out, guiding the organization through continued growth.
Under his leadership, YCD expanded wrap-around services for District 10 residents, including workforce development, education, and housing support. Throughout his career, Dion-Jay Brookter has led with purpose—his story a testament to community empowerment and nonprofit leadership in California.
