AGENTIX - Key Persons
Dr. Tony Laing (He/Him) is a K-12 and higher scholar-practitioner. He teaches and writes in the area of gender and sexuality studies. Specifically, his scholarship and publications lie at the intersection of youth studies, gender studies (constructions of masculinity), single-gender schools, queer theory, and African-American Studies.
Prior to serving as the K-12 METCO director, which provides educational opportunities for students of color to attend suburban schools, he worked in higher education as a lecturer, and in diversity affairs, student affairs, study abroad, student affairs, and academic advising. His work at the collegiate centers on creating more welcoming campuses for students and faculty of color.
Dr. Laing holds a doctorate in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completed the Management Development Program with the Harvard Institutes for higher education managers, and is enrolled as a Master of Specialized Studies Program candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Laing is currently serving a second 5-year term on his alma mater's Board of Trustees at Wheaton College (Massachusetts), is a member of Judge Baker's Children Center's External Affairs Committee, and served for 6 years as Board Chair of the Alliance for Domestic & International Educational Programs. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Janice Lewis (she/her) has a Master's of Social Work (MSW) and offers intensive services to youth and families utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities, mentoring, and coaching services.
Certified in TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), she provides trauma-informed care and ACRA (Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach) to assist youth with substance abuse issues. Before working with Agentix, Janice worked as a social worker to help adolescents and families enhance their positive communication, relationship building, and conflict resolution skills. She enjoys assisting youth with increasing their coping skills, managing stress, and setting goals.
Life can be difficult for everyone at different stages. It doesn't matter whether it's stress related to work, family, or personal struggles; Janice is here to help! She is certified as a Lead Trainer in Aggression Replacement Training, also known as ART, via the Center for Anti-Bullying and Non-Violence. Janice loves to travel in her free time, especially out of the country and trying various cuisines.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Foster Advancement
Jorge Elvir (he/him) is an impassioned leader who has devoted his career to service and creating positive environments that support personal and professional growth. After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2000, he continued to enhance his leadership abilities by becoming a certified restorative practices trainer.
As a trainer, he has introduced and implemented the principles of restorative justice and relationship-building practices to several audiences to improve organizational culture, increase belonging, and reduce discriminatory organizational practices, including direct service provision to persons with special needs and their families.
Mr. Elvir's professional practice is fundamentally driven by cultivating environments where all individuals can access evidence-based and data-monitored supports to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity. His focus areas include organizational leadership development, priority alignment, data analysis, systems integration, effective communication, organizational structures, and creative problem-solving.
Skilled in Family Therapy, Crisis Management, and Restorative Practices; Mr. Elvir is CEO of Foster Advancement, Diversity, and Equity (FADE) and has a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education, Training and Development from Southern Illinois University. He also earned a Master's of Arts from Roosevelt University in Education and a second MA degree in Leadership from Northeastern University.
"Jorge provided a thought-provoking and interesting presentation. I really enjoyed everything the materials and discussion included. This was the best PD[professional development] I've attended in a long time."-Dr. Steven Heil.
Joseph Lee (he/him) is a Nationally Certified, Licensed Professional, and Licensed School Counselor, specializing in cognitive-behavioral/solution-focused techniques.
Through Transformative Counseling, he empowers clients to identify and build upon strengths, helping clients accomplish mental health, behavioral, wellness, educational, and career goals, bringing cutting edge technology with the latest in counseling options through virtual sessions as well as traditional face-to-face counseling options.
Mr. Lee has experience supporting clients with diverse backgrounds, including military and business leaders. He is a skilled facilitator customizing workshops to help build organizational capacity to help all stakeholders develop skills needed in an increasingly diverse society.
Mr. Lee has an extensive educational, mental health & clinical background that includes maintaining a multi-state counseling practice, being a Crisis Care Network Provider, Military Family Life Counselor, and an award-winning Licensed School Counselor. He has also taught college as an Adjunct Professor in Psychology. Additionally, he has been featured multiple times on Fox News 5, ABC News 13, and as a subject matter expert on issues affecting academic environments, such as Bullying, Trauma, PTSD, and Behavioral Issues. Mr. Lee is also CEO and Founder of Impact Counseling and Consulting.
Kelly Ocasio, Ph.D, is a coach, educator, facilitator, and relationship-builder who utilizes a systems lens to enact transformational change. Driven by a mission to radically shift school structures, cultures, and practices toward equity and justice for our most marginalized students, Kelly enacts systemic change through embedding principles of collective impact and working with individuals and communities. She believes that social change happens through people and through relationships. She supports educators and leaders through raising awareness, unpacking intersecting identities and the biases we hold, recognizing the ways in which dominant cultural values manifest within ourselves and our organizations, and building the knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary to eradicate injustice and center equity.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin - Madison; a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio; and a joint Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Her research focuses on diversification of the teacher workforce and exploring ways to strengthen the Latinx educator pipeline.
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair of the Mankato Area Public School Board
Kenneth (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and a Master of Arts in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Kenneth has committed himself to enhance multicultural education efforts, developing student support services, advocating against social injustice, and promoting inclusive campus environments.
Kenneth has a proven record of advocating for educational equity and social justice to transform educational communities' outcomes radically. In Kenneth's current role as the Director of African American & Multicultural Affairs at MSU, Mankato, he helps eliminate barriers to academic success and evaluate policies and procedures that limit access. Through effective communication, intentional, collaborative efforts, and buy-in from critical stakeholders, Kenneth has effectively leveraged his skills and expertise to produce favorable organizational results.
Kenneth also serves as Vice-Chair of the Mankato Area Public School Board (MAPS-ISD 77). He has instituted an ambitious student-centered plan to improve the quality of services and education in MAPS-ISD 77. Kenneth actively works to leverage his advocacy and leadership to expand academic excellence, closing the Achievement Gap for low income, racial, and ethnically diverse students. He also aims to strengthen teacher retention through robust curricular and professional supportive initiatives.
Raul Juarez is a former Air Force veteran where he served as an intelligence analyst for ten years. After separating in June 2010, he struggled a great deal to find a purpose in life. However, he was fortunate to have his faith, family, and external support system, which helped him transition and heal. After earning a Bachelor's in Social Psychology, he felt a responsibility to help others and dedicated himself to becoming a community leader and agent of positive social change.
Raul holds Master's degrees in Adult Education from Park University, Human Development & Psychology from Harvard University, and Sports Administration from the University of Miami. As a current social-emotional educator, he specializes in working with traumatized youth and military veterans struggling post-career. Additionally, he occasionally works with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a background investigator, translator, and surveillance consultant. He is involved in various social activism and veteran causes and is committed to using his platform to combat racial inequality/oppression and empower others to find their voice.
Samuel Byndom, Ph.D. (he/him) is the Managing Director for Agentix Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting. Dr. Byndom has over a decade of experience developing communication strategies and strategic plans, coaching executives and managers, and implementing content and equity-driven solutions.
After serving in the Army, he leveraged the acquired leadership skills gained in the military into a successful career as an education administrator (specializing in change management, organizational culture, and knowledge management) in P-20 systems. Since then, Dr. Byndom has transitioned to offer his extensive expertise and experience to small companies, charter school start-ups, independent school districts, and individual executive clients. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Millikin University, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Southern Illinois University, a Masters of Arts in Transnational History from the University of Missouri, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Byndom is deeply committed to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion to radically transform opportunities and outcomes for BIPOCs within our communities. He specializes in organizational equity, strategic planning, and institutional capacity building. He serves on numerous boards and committees to address social inequities. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Development for 100 Black Men in San Antonio, TX, is an active member of the NAACP, and serves with My Brother's Keeper. He has published reviews in leading peer-reviewed journals and has been a reviewer for the Higher Education Studies journal since 2013. Additionally, Dr. Byndom is a curator and editor of the Reparative Justice, Racial Restoration, and Education - K-12 and Higher Education series for Rutgers University's "Samuel D. Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice." He also received recognition as one of Business Magazine's 40 under 40.
Tina Whobrey (she/her) believes that we all have everything we need inside ourselves, that we are all whole, and that we are here to support one another. That is why, after 18 years in public education, she decided to shift into holistic healing so she may serve others more fully. Tina partners with Agentix as a coach, consultant, advocate, trainer, and most importantly, an accomplice to equity. She is a certified Dragontree Life Coach and brings with her an unwavering commitment to promoting deep healing through individuals' internal work, equity-driven community shifts, and an overall spiritual uplift.
Tina is also a certified educator with a Master's Degree in Educational Policy Studies. She served as a middle school social studies teacher, was an instructor for pre-service teachers at the University of Illinois and has trained extensively in approaches that support building positive relationships. Additionally, Tina has also presented at multiple national and local conferences, coached and mentored children and colleagues, and facilitated various K-12 district-level workshops. Tina is committed and passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and helps organizations develop and implement culturally competent practices. She currently provides racial healing workshops for MTD through an Illinois state-wide initiative grant called "Healing Illinois".