Darcie Velazquez
Director of Human Resources
With a career spanning both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Darcie brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to people-centered leadership. She has held key HR leadership roles at respected nonprofit organizations, including The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, United Activities Unlimited, and the Friends of the High Line, where she led initiatives to strengthen organizational culture, advance equity, and support sustainable growth.
Her experience also includes impactful work in the for-profit sector with Rackson Restaurants, LLC, where her contributions helped the company earn national recognition – named one of the Greatest Workplaces in 2023 and one of the Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2025. Her diverse background gives her a well-rounded perspective on workforce development, organizational health, and operational efficiency.
Darcie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Youngstown State University. She is a forward-thinking and strategic leader who strives to develop initiatives that go beyond the status quo—creating impactful, sustainable solutions that elevate both people and performance. With a passion for fostering cultures of belonging, compassion, and excellence, she works to build environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best every day.
Outside of her professional role, Darcie enjoys traveling with her family and seeking out new experiences and adventures. She lives by the motto, “When is the last time you tried something for the first time?”— a mindset that fuels her curiosity and drives her both personally and professionally.