Leadership Changes at YDU

Jeannine Anckaitis (L) and Brent Jacquette (R), pictured with Board Member Erich Yost prior to accepting a community service award from Eastern PA Youth Soccer in February 2025.

Youth Development United has a new Executive Director.

Brent Jacquette, a co-founder of YDU’s signature program Chester Upland Youth Soccer and YDU’s most recent Chairman of the Board, is stepping into the role as Jeannine Anckaitis prepares to move into a new job as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Sun East Federal Credit Union. She will remain very involved in YDU as the new Chairperson of the YDU Board, taking over the vacancy that Brent is leaving behind.

Brent has a tremendous leadership and community service record, having been named a nominee for the Major League Soccer MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest and having served ten seasons as the head men’s soccer coach at Widener where he helped make program history. A native of nearby Wallingford, PA, Brent graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Widener University.

"I am thrilled and grateful to be back in the daily operations of our organization,” Brent said. “I'm eager to broaden the opportunities for students to engage in sports and recreation. Jeannine has been exceptional in establishing strong, enduring relationships in Chester and nearby communities. I look forward to collaborating with the Board to build on that success and continue making a positive impact."

Jeannine recalls, “When I talked about my decision with our Board, I emphasized how much I have loved being Executive Director of YDU. Perhaps due to hearing that sentiment, plus knowing about all that our organization has achieved since he established it in 2012, Brent decided that he would like to move into the Executive Director position to keep up our momentum and shepherd the organization himself for the foreseeable future. I know that all of our families and partners will enjoy working closely with Brent, just as I do.”

Brent’s first day as Executive Director is June 2, 2025.