Yahaira Dominguez was born in the Bronx to Dominican parents and was raised in Washington Heights. Following high school, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Aviation Administration at SUNY Farmingdale, later completing her  B.S. of Science degree in Recreation Administration at Lehman College, marking a significant milestone as the first college graduate in her immediate family. 

Following her college graduation, she secured an internship at Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and ultimately transitioned into a role as a Human Resource Manager/Office Manager within the same organization. 

Subsequently, she joined the New York State Division of Human Rights, where she dedicated eight years to serving the diverse population of New York in various capacities. In her final role as a Human Rights Specialist 1, she conducted investigations into discrimination complaints statewide, facilitated conciliations, and secured public interest relief for both New York State residents and employees.

She felt the organization was an opportunity to align with her academic background, engage with the community in a novel capacity, and contribute to StreetSquash’s noble mission of uplifting youth from underserved communities.

Yahaira will focus on fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. Her responsibilities encompass handling employee relations matters, talent acquisition and retention, as well as overseeing onboarding and offboarding processes.

In her free time, Yahaira finds joy in traveling and cherishing moments with her family, including her children, husband, and extended relatives. She has a penchant for amusement parks, swimming, hosting gatherings, enjoying music, and indulging in summertime barbecues.