Vilma Silva
Senior Director of Youth Recruitment & Retention
In her role at The Possible Zone (TPZ), Vilma leads student recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategy, overseeing the teams and systems that support students from their first connection with TPZ through their ongoing program experience. She focuses on building strong, collaborative teams and creating clear, student-centered processes that help TPZ reach young people, successfully bring them into programming, and keep them engaged.
Vilma immigrated to the United States from the Cabo Verde Islands at five years old. She earned her degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut before completing two years of full-time service with City Year New Hampshire, where she tutored and mentored students in under-resourced classrooms and led community service projects. She continued her career in youth-serving nonprofits, including City Year, GEAR UP, and buildOn, where she led regional recruitment and enrollment efforts.
Vilma wholeheartedly believes in the power and potential of young people and in creating the relationships, opportunities, and support systems that allow them to thrive. She is also passionate about developing people and building strong teams that can deliver meaningful experiences for students. Outside of work, Vilma is a mother to a young son who loves LEGOs, loves plants, and enjoys DIY projects.