SPRINGBOARD TO OPPORTUNITIES - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Founding CEO

Aisha Nyandoro is the founding CEO of Springboard to Opportunities, a Jackson, Mississippi non-profit that has pioneered a "radically resident-driven" approach to ending generational poverty. In 2018, she launched the Magnolia Mothers' Trust, a first-of-its-kind guaranteed income program for single Black mothers, and through its success she has become a national leader in the fight for a federal guaranteed income. Aisha comes from a long line of activists - she grew up in a family where the dining table was more like a roundtable, with each meal an opportunity to discuss community issues and forge creative solutions. The Magnolia Mothers' Trust grew out of discussions Aisha had with Jackson residents being served by her affordable housing program. They told her they didn't need more forms to fill out or more programs to sign up for - they needed cash. Knowing first-hand how families can make magic out of what Lucille Clifton calls "starshine and clay," Aisha started the Trust with a pilot group of 20 moms, and has gone on to support more than 400 more.

Job Titles:

• Community Specialist - Madonna Manor

Anita is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. Anita has an educational background in social and human services receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Jackson State University and her Master's in Human and Social Services with a specialization in administration from Walden University. Anita has 20 plus years of experience divided in the areas of social services and mental health. Anita continues to stand strong in believing everyone can use a helping hand at some time in their life and the hand extended should be one of compassion with a desire to help others.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Vice President of Structured Finance at the National Equity Fund

Brandon McCall is the Vice President of Structured Finance at the National Equity Fund (NEF). In this role he originates debt and equity transactions with a focus on preservation and workforce housing opportunities. He came to NEF with nearly 15 years of industry experience with his most recent experience at Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, LLC as a Senior Tax Credit Underwriter focused on the Southern California, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Detroit and Chicago regions. In this role he was responsible for performing market analyses, ensuring investor rates of return, and getting affordable housing transactions approved by investors and closed into investment funds. Prior to this, he held roles at Enterprise Community Loan Fund as a Senior Loan Officer focused on leading their lending for several creative predevelopment and acquisition capital tools, at Mercy Housing California as a Senior Project Developer, and at Citibank, N.A as an Assistant Vice President focused on CRA compliance. He began his affordable housing career at the Enterprise Community Partners Southern California office as a Research Intern providing support for HUD Section 4 grants and program management for Enterprise's home ownership program. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Dickinson College. He serves as Board Chair of Innovative Housing Opportunities, Board Member of Springboard to Opportunities, and is a Board Member of the Real Estate Executives Forum.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Board of Directors

Carol Wishcamper has three decades of experience as a leader in the education and non-profit sectors. She has developed an organizational development consulting practice focused on capacity building offering services in strategic planning, leadership development, executive coaching, conflict management and communication skills (www.carolwishcamper.com). She lives in Freeport, Maine with her husband Joe, a developer of affordable housing. They have two grown sons and two grandchildren.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Treasurer of the Board of Directors
• Founder of Profit Smart

Carter Smith is the Founder of Profit Smart. He brings over 15 years of experience from working with two Fortune 500 companies to having owned his own small business. His expertise in operations and finance provide his clients with a deep knowledge base in financial strategy that will fit multiple organizational sizes, styles and structures. He founded Profit Smart as a means to more deeply engage with his clients and their business. Carter earned his Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi and graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Masters in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Valuation Analyst. Carter is an associate member of the Law Practice Management section of the American Bar Association. Carter is a native of Batesville, MS and currently resides in Jackson with his wife, Cassie, and their four children.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Partner in the Bridgespan Group 's San

Darren Isom is a partner in The Bridgespan Group's San Francisco office. He first joined the firm as a consultant in 2007, left as a manager in 2014 and returned as a partner in 2019. During his earlier tenure with Bridgespan, Darren was engaged with a diverse array of cases and was consistently lauded for building deep, enduring client relationships, helping clients develop bold yet pragmatic strategies, and his commitment to amplifying community voice and engagement in developing and leading innovative, high-impact youth and community programs, practices, and philanthropy. After leaving Bridgespan in 2014, Darren was the founder and executive director of the Memphis Music Initiative (MMI), an ambitious five-year, $20M grantmaking and community arts development initiative. He led efforts to use targeted investments and programmatic offerings to strengthen youth and community music engagement activities for low-income, Black, and Latino youth and communities. A seventh generation New Orleans native, Darren is a graduate of Howard University, Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, and Columbia Business School's Institute for Nonprofit Management. An activist for disconnected youth and LGBT communities of color, he has served as an advisor to the leaders of several Bay Area, Southeast US, and national foundations. He currently also serves on the board of Beloved Community of New Orleans, Collage Dance Collective of Memphis, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Member of the Mississippi Bar Association
• Principal in Cornerstone Government Affairs

Elliott Flaggs is a principal in Cornerstone Government Affairs' Jackson, MS office. Elliott advocates for a broad array of client interests pertaining to state and municipal government, budget and appropriations, drafting legislation, business development and public and community relations. Before joining Cornerstone, he served as a special assistant attorney general and legislative liaison for Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Prior to his work at the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, Elliott attended Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering. After graduation, he was accepted into the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation - Walmart Emerging Leaders Program where he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). Subsequently, he attended The University of Mississippi School of Law and graduated cum laude in 2012. Elliott is an active member of the Mississippi Bar Association. He is an incorporator and board member of The First Tee of Central Mississippi, an international youth development organization that introduces the game of golf and its inherent values through character building. Additionally, he is a 2015-16 graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson and served on their board of trustees. Elliott also devotes his time to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi, the American Cancer Society South Region, and Special Olympics of Mississippi as a board member. He is a former member of Jackson Young Lawyers, 100 Black Men of Jackson, Phoenix Club of Jackson and Jackson Professional Group. Some of Elliott's awards and honors include being recognized for his community service efforts as an American Cancer Society - Best Dressed Jackson honoree in 2016, a Top Politician and Politico Under 35 in Mississippi by the Clarion Ledger in 2017, a Top 10 Finalist in the Mississippi Business Journal's 2018 Top 50 Under 40 class and a member of the PORTICO 15 Class of 2019, a statewide recognition for attorneys in Mississippi. He is also a graduate of the Mississippi Bar Leadership Forum Class of 2018. In January 2019, Elliott was recognized as one of Mississippi's Top 50 Most Influential People. Elliott was recently named to Mississippi State University's inaugural Reveille 25 which recognizes alumni under 40 years old that are "answering the call" of the university's mission for educational excellence, and inspiring others through the positive impact they are making in their communities and professions. Elliott and his daughter, Lianne Marie, reside in Jackson, MS.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Associate Director of Research and Development at the Vanderbilt University Initiative for Race Research

Ira Murray is associate director of research and development at the Vanderbilt University Initiative for Race Research and Justice. His work focuses on the intersection of race, racism and society in partnership with communities to co-create tools and resources to address issues of racial justice. Murray has served as a nonprofit executive in Jackson, Mississippi, including as the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Capital Area, Inc. and has worked with several historically Black colleges and universities throughout his professional career. He is a native of South Carolina and a third-generation HBCU graduate with a bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University. He holds a master's degree from Vanderbilt and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.

Job Titles:

• Project Associate - Fellowships

Julia completed her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at Hunter College, focusing her studies on Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology. Interning with the New York Academy of Sciences: Anthropology Section, she worked with leading anthropologists in the nation to deliver a speaker series for the 2018-2019 academic year. Upon completion of her thesis in Linguistic Anthropology, she was awarded the Excellence in Anthropology award and received departmental honors for her dedicated work to the field. After receiving her bachelor's degree in May of 2019, Julia took a leap of faith and moved to Jackson, Mississippi to begin her career in the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Project Associate for Springboard To Opportunities. Previously, she served as the Constituent Services and Support Coordinator for the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits & Philanthropy. In her role, she worked with nonprofits across Mississippi to grow their organizational capacity, connect nonprofits with resources, and work to encourage cross-sector collaboration. There, she gained a deep understanding of the Mississippi nonprofit/philanthropic sector. To start off her time in Mississippi, she worked with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life for two years, where she served Jewish communities across a 13-state region. She implemented and created programming, a K-12 and adult curriculum, and led religious services in each of her 14 communities as an Education Fellow. Julia is driven by her sense of community. She believes that if we act together locally, we can achieve a strong global impact. She is now an active citizen in the Jackson community. She became Chair of Beth Israel Congregation's Tikkun Olam Committee, currently serves as a Board Member at the Southern Jewish Resource Network (SOJOURN), and actively seeks ways in which she can get more involved with the communities of Mississippi, and the South at large. Her goal is to be a change-agent in the state of Mississippi, working alongside organizations that are yearning to see a brighter tomorrow.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Senior Advisor

Kelly Butler is Senior Advisor to ReadingUniverse.org, a large-scale legacy project of the Barksdale Reading Institute (BRI), where she served as Chief Executive Officer. The Institute concluded operations in June of 2023 having contributed significantly to Mississippi's rise in reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP 2019, NAEP 2022). Reading Universe is housed at WETA, PBS's flagship station in Washington, D.C. amidst a suite of award-winning literacy websites supporting evidence-based practices for teachers of reading and writing. During her tenure at BRI, Kelly initiated the original Reading Universe concept to provide high quality professional development to educators in Barksdale schools and educator preparation programs. Butler authored three statewide studies on Teacher Preparation for Early Literacy Instruction which propelled The Path Forward, a multi-state initiative focused on preparation and licensure. Kelly is an advisor to the Mississippi Reading Panel, the Mississippi Reading Clinic, The Path Forward, the Southeast Region's Education Laboratory, and the Education Advocacy Center; and is a board member for Springboard to Opportunities and Deans for Impact. She holds a master's degree in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Job Titles:

• Community Specialist - Dauphin Gate

Latasha grew up in a military family and generally traveled every few years to various areas of the world, but settled in her teens to Mobile, AL. After obtaining her B.A. in Business from Faulkner University, she continued her education and attained an M.A. in Human Resources and Health Administration at Trident University International. Latasha has over 20 years of community experience in diverse areas of the city and government and loves to help others express themselves through various types of dance. Latasha attributes her passion for helping others to having to continually challenge herself to evolve as she moved around with her military family. Latasha believes challenges in life are an opportunity to grow, and it is her purpose to assist others to be the best version of themselves. Through one's own growth, the impact spills over to others and can make an impact around the world. If she could be summarized in one slogan, it would say "people are my passion and purpose is the goal."

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Nakimuli's practice focuses on employment law and commercial litigation. A large part of Nakimuli's practice involves partnering with clients to create respectful workplaces that comply with federal, state, and local laws. Nakimuli regularly counsels and advises clients on workplace issues; reviews, revises, and creates employee handbooks and policies that align with the client's overall mission and goals; creates and conducts training programs for executive leaders and management- and supervisory-level employees; and assesses and evaluates measures that will reduce legal risks associated with employment-related decisions. Clients also call upon Nakimuli to conduct internal investigations and for advice on leave and accommodation issues, termination decisions, pay, and other employment decisions, including guiding employers through reorganizations, reductions in force, restructuring, voluntary buy-out programs, and internal audits of position classification to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Job Titles:

• Project Associate - Magnolia Mother 's Trust and Cash Initiatives

Natasha is a native of Jackson, MS. Her educational background consists of a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies from Mississippi State University and a Master's in Public Health from Jackson State University. Natasha has over 8 years of experience in mental health along with 2 years in positive youth development. In her spare time, she enjoys online shopping where she constantly puts items in her cart that she may not purchase! Natasha is passionate about empowering individuals! She looks forward to continue providing services to the community by connecting them to resources and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Her favorite quote by Mahatma Gandhi is "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."

Job Titles:

• Manager of Community Programs & Navigation

Parthenia Fields is the Manager of Community Programs & Navigation for Springboard To Opportunities. She is an experienced program coordinator and educator, who specializes in building and sustaining community relationships and local partnerships, which are essential to the mission of Springboard and the foundation of its on-the-ground services. She has over 10 years' experience in connecting with, providing services for, and empowering children and families who reside in low-income communities. Furthermore, she boasts over 20 years' experience in education. Parthenia began her career with Springboard To Opportunities in 2014, providing on-the-ground supportive services for families, cultivating relationships with residents and community partners, and developing and implementing programs. Currently, as a member of Springboard's executive leadership team, she now leads the organization's staff of Community Specialists and cultivates lasting partnerships that empower Springboard families to create and enact change in their lives and communities. She holds a B.A. and Master of Arts in Teaching from Jackson State University. However, she is foremost the mother of one dynamic son, who ensures she maintains her mental dexterity and keeps her rooted in love, peace, and joy.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• President & CEO of SGG Insight, LLC

Salin Geevarghese is the President & CEO of SGG Insight, LLC, a consulting firm offering comprehensive services to public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sector leaders and organizations. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) as well as the founding Director of the Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance and its Innovation and Action Network. The Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance is a collaboration of CSSP, the National Initiative on Mixed Income Communities at Case Western Reserve University and Urban Strategies, Inc. From April 2014 to January 2017, Geevarghese served in a senior appointed leadership post as HUD's Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation (within the Office of Policy Development and Research) during the Administration of President Barack Obama. Appointed by Secretary Shaun Donovan and serving under Secretary Julian Castro, in this role, Salin led an innovation team charged with engaging cross-sector and cross- border partners to harness and apply best practices, programs and policies for the benefit of communities and aligning common efforts. Among the most prominent roles, Geevarghese led the United States' domestic preparations on the New Urban Agenda and co-led with the U.S. State Department its delegation in October 2016 to Quito, Ecuador for Habitat III, the largest conference in the world focused on sustainable and inclusive urbanization and the role of cities for growth and shared prosperity. The conference is organized by the United Nations and held every 20 years. Prior to this appointment, Secretary Donovan appointed Salin as Acting Director of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. In that role, he was responsible for advancing housing and communities that increase affordability, cost savings, efficiency, and quality of life, while also expanding regional economic growth and opportunity. He provided technical and policy support for energy, green building, and integrated housing, transportation and economic development programs at HUD and around the nation. Salin came to the Obama Administration as a Senior Advisor and as part of the founding leadership of HUD's Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities and the Partnership for Sustainable Communities between HUD, DOT and EPA. Geevarghese also consulted on many of the place-based initiatives of the Administration as well as efforts to embed and institutionalize its key design and operational elements. Before coming to HUD as an appointee of President Obama, Salin worked as a Senior Associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation where he focused on urban redevelopment issues, anchor institutions, regional equity and opportunity, and community and economic development policy. He was in the senior management of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, focused on building the civic and change capacity of public, private, and nonprofit leaders and organizations and in communities like Las Vegas, NV, Flint, MI, Orange County, FL, Newark, NJ, and throughout the state of Ohio. Salin was previously a corporate manager with the BellSouth Corporation where he worked with their corporate philanthropy on education reform and student achievement, community change and public engagement, and technology. He co-led the corporate practice of the national management consultancy TCC Group where he assisted CEOs, foundation executives, and nonprofit leaders on strategic planning, organizational development and redesign, and evaluation projects. His clients at TCC Group included corporations, foundations, and nonprofits, including the Prudential Foundation, Wachovia Corporation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Foundation Center, National Urban League, and Habitat for Humanity. A recognized expert and leader, Salin has consulted, spoken, and written widely on open records laws and transparency, public education issues, civil rights and equity issues, community and economic development, sustainable urbanization, and civic innovation and engagement efforts.

Job Titles:

• Special Assistant to the CEO

Sara serves Springboard To Opportunities as the Special Assistant to the CEO. She has worked within the administrative field for over six years and continues to pursue excellence through her work supporting Springboard and the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice. She is currently pursuing her Associate degree at Holmes Community College. Sara was born and raised in Flora, Mississippi and now lives in Brandon with her husband and two young daughters. She attributes her passion for organization to growing up in a family of six children with a single mother. Now, when time allows, Sara spends her time workshopping gluten-free baking recipes and exploring the states with her always energetic family.

Job Titles:

• Program Director of Socioeconomic Well - Being

Sarah Stripp is the Program Director of Socioeconomic Well-Being at Springboard To Opportunities. She is an experienced strategist and program coordinator and has worked for the past decade in the non-profit field in a variety of roles. In her current position, Sarah oversees Springboard's radically resident-driven programs and services, helping to develop and implement initiatives that support families as they work toward their goals, and providing strategic vision, direction, and leadership to the Springboard To Opportunities team. Sarah has been at Springboard To Opportunities since the beginning of 2016. Throughout her time, she has helped develop and expand several of Springboard's key programs and initiatives including The Magnolia Mother's Trust, work with Children's Savings Accounts, and Springboard's policy, advocacy, and narrative change work. Working with residents, community partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders, Sarah has helped deepen and expand Springboard's partnerships, building diverse coalitions that ensure community voices are centered and recognized for their expertise. Sarah is a graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship and the Aspen Institute's Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy Class of 2020-21, one of several Workforce Leadership in localities across North America.

Job Titles:

• Senior Community Specialist - Commonwealth Village

Shelica Robinson is a native of Greenville, MS. She attended Alcorn State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Shelica has great experience with community outreach and utilizing interpersonal skills as she has worked with various populations including those with STD/HIV, adults with developmental disabilities, expectant mothers and individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Outside of work she is a coach's wife and mother of two children, a boy and a girl. Shelica enjoys movies, music, and dancing! Her love language is "acts of service", and she does not shy away from volunteer work or being an open vessel to those she meets. Shelica believes that all acts and thoughts have a reason and purpose, whether negative or positive. There is always room to grow!

Job Titles:

• Community Specialist - Northwood Village and Lincoln Garden

Tremya is a native of the Mississippi Delta and enjoys connecting people to resources that are available to them. She chose the Social Work field because it is her passion and she wants to be the voice, as well as an advocate, for the population that feels like their voice is not heard. Her goal is to help and assist as many people as possible so that they are able to reach their goals as well as thrive within their community.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Trené Hawkins, a program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, works to ensure philanthropic capital is deployed in the most strategic, equitable, and impactful ways possible. Trené spent her early years at RWJF shaping key efforts for the Foundation's innovation portfolio, expanding the team's networks and orienting grantmaking practice and programming to more intentionally ad-vance equity. Trené's work currently focuses on the equitable distribution of re-sources for parents, caregivers and their children and families' inclusion in the U.