Who We Are

Chris Troy has over thirty-five years of non-profit, youth development, and ministry experience, and has seen his work impact the communities and lives of at-risk youth and families. During his time in Boston, as founder and president of the Boston Urban Youth Foundation, Mr. Troy established youth ministry programs in partnership with sixteen of Boston’s public schools that facilitated dramatic improvements in the lives of chronically truant students and became the subject of a Harvard Graduate School of Education study. Truancy among the highest risk students was reduced by fifty-three percent in the first year and by sixty-eight percent in the second year. Mr. Troy also created a successful scholarship program that placed students in parochial schools. As a result of both the truancy and scholarship programs, over two hundred youth from high poverty neighborhoods attended college. For these and other initiatives under Mr. Troy’s leadership, the Boston Urban Youth Foundation has received recognition from the Lumina Foundation College Pathways Network, EdVestors, and the Social Innovation Forum.

Collaboration, partnership, innovation, research, and creative programming are all part of Mr. Troy’s background. Since forming Praxis Connections, Mr. Troy has worked with the Luis Palau Association to develop twenty-four church-based, neighborhood-focused collaborations with over three hundred churches that work in the areas of justice, mercy, and education. Mr. Troy has also worked on several collaborative efforts in the high poverty neighborhoods of New York City to decrease poverty and increase opportunity.  Code for Life is an effort that embodies Mr. Troy’s belief that we are all created with tremendous gifts & abilities and incorporates this to reduce poverty and increase opportunity throughout our city.  Mr. Troy lives in his birthplace of Harlem and enjoys jazz & learning.

Gyna Uhrlass is a passionate leader dedicated to community, connection, and growth. As the founder of The Mothering, a welcoming network for mothers in New York City, Gyna has built a platform where mothers from all backgrounds and stages of life can find support, resources, and lasting connections. Her work is rooted in a commitment to uplifting women and families, fostering an inclusive and empowering community.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Gyna brings a strong background in strategic partnerships, marketing, and organizational leadership. She has held impactful roles where she focused on building collaborations that unite resources and create meaningful opportunities, including her work with Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Prior to joining Code for Life, Gyna led The Mothering’s new B2B consulting arm, where she built partnerships with companies to support working mothers in corporate environments. Her dedication to supporting families extends into her work with organizations, helping ensure that workplaces value and invest in the well-being of mothers.

Gyna is also a strong advocate for equitable access to technology, believing in the transformative power of coding and tech education for underserved youth. She is committed to helping young people build essential skills and explore careers in the digital economy, bringing mentorship, training, and growth opportunities to future generations.

Living in New York City with her husband and three children, Gyna’s commitment to family and community remains the foundation of her work. Her warmth and dedication inspire those around her, and she is eager to continue creating pathways for families and young people to thrive.