FOUNDRY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Community Advocate / Associate of Applied Science
Alaina is a responsible and caring leader. She draws from her varied experiences, including working with children at an orphanage overseas and as a culinary manager at the Hotel Roanoke. She loves walking with students in their personal and academic development. As an engaging educator and community leader she enjoys getting to know the personalities and stories of each individual she meets.
Breyon Mayo is an excellent leader who is passionate about the growth and development of youth. He has experience working with the Community Youth Program, Yovaso's (Youth of Virginia speak out about traffic safety), and Raysac (Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition). Breyon is a current student at Virginia Western Community College studying Criminal Justice. With his degree he aspires to inspire children to reach their goals.
Job Titles:
- Senior Education Specialist
Briana has more than 10 years experience in the classroom including working with students who have special needs and as a first grade teacher. She believe is fostering trauma-informed spaces and engaging the social-emotional needs of students to help them thrive academically. She is excellent at thinking on her feet and passionate about building relationships.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Education Specialist, Community Advocate
Bryanna is a growing leader and committed community advocate. She currently leads in her church's youth group while also leading for Young Life. Her community engagement includes picking up trash, supporting local shelters, and loving young people throughout the city. Her goal, in working with children, is to create safe places where students can be their authentic selves and talk openly about the things going on in their lives.
Dionte is a lyricist, mental health associate, and athletic coach with a passion for youth and community upliftment. With a love for youth and creative expression, Dionte uses his fun-loving and docile nature to foster youth development and self-expression. For over half a decade, his contributions have included coaching varsity football, volunteering with local church groups, therapeutic management of students with developmental and behavioral challenges, and numerous spoken word and music performances. Fueled by his profound love and hope for the prosperity of his community, Dionte leverages his creativity, consciousness, and inspiration to propel his city into the future.
Kameron is a friendly, compassionate, and approachable student engagement provider. Kameron is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Family and Marriage Therapy. Kameron is a strong believer in being loving, patient, and truthful when dealing with students. He is passionate about empowering students and watching them grow into loving and caring young men and women.
Job Titles:
- Strategy and Business Operations Manager
Melissa is a Strategy and Business Operations Manager with extensive experience in strategy planning, development and execution, forecast development and management, and program management. She has a depth of expertise in developing relationships with internal and external clients, providing tactical and strategic solutions to improve operational efficiency, and meeting and exceeding expectations of project/program deliverables. Melissa also has proven experience with non-profits and specifically youth development.
Job Titles:
- Education Specialist, Community Advocate / Master of Social Work
Natalie is a kind and passionate worker. From her background in Social Work and engaging with students of all ages from kindergarten to college, she has grown a deep passion to help students grow into the individuals they were made to become. She strives to help students feel seen, heard, and believed in within every interaction. She loves walking through life with people and having fun along the way.
Job Titles:
- Senior Education Specialist / Master of Arts in Teaching, Bachelor of Business Administration
Natesha is a native Roanoke educator who enjoys learning and providing opportunities for growth and development. She has over five years of managerial experience, specifically with small businesses, and embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. Natesha managed elementary and secondary after-school programs, tutored high school students, and was a teacher for Roanoke City Public Schools. She considers every pathway an opportunity and is passionate about providing experiences that enrich the lives of students.
Job Titles:
- Artist from Roanoke
- Education Specialist, Community Advocate
Nathan is an artist from Roanoke who loves engaging culture one relationship at a time. He is passionate about bringing out the artist in all of us, and hopes to expand the horizons of possibility for Roanoke's future generations by empowering students today.
Job Titles:
- Program Supervisor, Community Advocate
Paul is an empathetic, hardworking, and ambitious young man with a passion for youth development. His focus is leading youth to discover and follow their dreams and aspirations. Paul has expressed this passion through coaching at a local YMCA in Redlands California to becoming a an educator in Roanoke City Public Schools. Through mentoring Paul gives inspiration and wisdom to Roanoke City youth and pushes them to pursue their interests.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Director of Programs, Community Advocate
Rolando is an ambitious leader with a passion for students of the Roanoke Valley. He has worked continuously to impact the community in any way that he can. From leading an inner-city after school program to non-profit work in a re-entry program, Rolando strives every day to impact his community in a positive way through building strong relationships. Driven by his own battle out of poverty, he is determined to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential.
Job Titles:
- Program Supervisor, Community Advocate
Ruby is a compassionate, caring individual who works hard at everything she does. She's worked with youth for several years as a youth counselor at church, as well as volunteered for the Rescue Mission Ministry here in Roanoke. She is passionate about helping students become the best that they can be. Ruby aspires to be an early childhood educator and hopes to lead and promote intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. She believes early education is the bedrock of a lifetime of learning.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Community Advocate
Ryan is a youth advocate who is passionate about the development of the community in Roanoke. Ryan has seven years of experience working with at-risk youth. He held the position of youth pastor for two years and learned great leadership and communication skills. Ryan hopes to go back to school to gain his master's degree in Youth Counseling in the future. He has shown his passion to fight for the community of young people and is committed to doing so as his career grows.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Community Advocate
Program Manager, Community Advocate BA in Psychology Sadee is a lively and compassionate student engagement provider. Through her previous experiences working with children, she has developed a deep appreciation for the process in which students learn and grow socially, emotionally, and academically. She is passionate about empowering students and encouraging them as they grow and develop.
Job Titles:
- Program Supervisor, Community Advocate
Steven is an energetic, enthusiastic spirit inspired by others who have invested in his potential and growth towards his passions. He has a passion and vision for aspiring elementary school students in the Roanoke Valley to reach their full potential also. As an instructor, mentor, and youth fitness coach, Steven uses his leadership skills and experience as he aims to build confidence, encourage, and help flourish each student's character through solid relationships.
Job Titles:
- Education Specialist, Missions
Thomas is a fun and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about shaping the youth in our community. Thomas has spent several years as a basketball coach where he mentors and shapes young basketball players. He also spent 3 years as a youth counselor and is passionate about leading a missions non-profit that will honor his late brother, Aaron Dean. Thomas hopes to bring joy every day in the lives of others.
Job Titles:
- Program Supervisor, Community Advocate
Victoria is a compassionate caregiver with experience leading and mentoring children and teens. She has worked and engaged with a variety of age groups over the years, which has inspired her to pursue a degree in Education. She is passionate about helping students navigate through emotions, and guiding them toward healthy communication and expressional habits. She is also a skilled photographer, having professionally photographed weddings, engagements, products, and more.