Dr. Elise Green CEO

Executive Director/ Mentor

Zuri Thorpe is a multifaceted coach, educator, millennial influencer, and youth engagement innovator. As a native of Baltimore, Maryland Zuri is passionate about creative expression, communication, and community building. With a rich ministerial background he lends a great deal of mentorship and youth development experience.

He has worked with numerous organizations, including the YMCA, Boys & Girl Clubs of America, and Leader of Tomorrow Youth Center, DC Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) Hartford County Public Schools (MD), Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools (MD).

His impact spans into arts, digital media, and curricular development. He currently serves as a Senior Teen Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington overseeing Teen engagement and operations in Prince William County, Fairfax and Alexandria Virginia.

Chief Medical Officer/Board Chair

Dr Marjory Cannon, M.D. is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who is Senior Medical Officer and Senior Advisor at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) working to help develop and advise on policies that promote patient safety and quality across the national healthcare spectrum.

Chief Financial Officer

London Okowa is a driven senior at Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI), pursuing dual majors in Business Management and Human Resource Management alongside a minor in Communications.

She holds leadership roles as the President of the College 100 at IUPUI/Ivy Tech and Vice-President of the NAACP at IUPUI, while also dedicating herself as a mentor in the Diversity Enrichment and Achievement Program as well as serving as a C.A.L.L. Fellowship scholar. With a remarkable record of six Dean's list honors, London takes pride in her academic accomplishments. As she approaches graduation, she's actively expanding her network to realize her ambition of becoming a Chief Talent Officer.

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, London finds solace in writing, adding to her poetry collection. A fascinating detail about London: she recently study abroad in Ghana.

Female Mentor, Education Administrator

With 24 years of experience, Dr. Tess Short brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the field of education. Her extensive career spans rural, urban, and suburban school districts across Virginia, where she has served as a teacher, school counselor, educational manager and instructional specialist. She currently serves as a high school assistant principal. 

Her exemplary service has earned her numerous awards, most notably being named School Counselor of the Year in 2016 by both the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This prestigious recognition provided her the honor of meeting Former First Lady Michelle Obama at a celebration at the White House.

Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Short enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Guided by her favorite quote, "Love what you do and do what you love," Dr. Short is deeply passionate about helping students achieve their full potential. Her unwavering dedication to fostering a positive and supportive educational environment underscores her commitment to making a lasting impact on the families she serves. 

Female Mentor, Education-Family Engagement

Vanessa Y. Johnson, a Bronx native, holds a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor's in Social Work. She is a proud parent of two Richmond Public Schools alumni and currently works as a Dropout Prevention Specialist with the Office of Engagement. With over 20 years in human services, she focuses on youth development and improving family transition outcomes through community partnerships.

A strong advocate for restorative justice, educational access, and voter rights, Vanessa actively participates in various organizations, including Trinity Baptist Church, Virginia Union University National Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the NAACP Richmond Branch. In her free time, she enjoys family moments, classic films, sports, reading, and traveling.

Male Mentor, Education Administrator

Dr. Trotter is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in public education. He believes that student success is fostered through positive relationships, a supportive school culture, accountability, and off-campus learning experiences. Dr. Trotter’s career spans multiple states, including Maryland and North Carolina, where he has made significant contributions to the academic community.

From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Trotter served as Assistant Principal at Armstrong High School within Richmond Public Schools (RPS). He then went on to lead Richmond Alternative School as Principal from 2017 to 2023, where he was instrumental in creating a student-centered learning environment.

Currently, Dr. Trotter is the Program Principal at Lugo-McGinness Academy in Charlottesville City Schools. Dr. Trotter earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia State University after successfully defending his dissertation on "Teacher Influence on Student Engagement in Alternative Education."

In addition to his educational leadership, Dr. Trotter is a published co-author of Unlocking Your Tools for Educators: 12 Essential Tools Every Educator Must Have. He is now working on his next book, 30 Laws of Leadership.

Male Mentor, Educational Liaison

Dr. Doron Battle, a native from Richmond, Va. is currently a district wide Behavioral Specialist in Richmond Public Schools. Dr. Battle holds a Masters degree in Special Education and recently received his Doctoral degree in Education and Organizational Leadership from the illustrious Virginia State University and has over 15 years of experience in the human service field, and over 10 in the field of education.

He has worked with numerous organizations, including the Department of Juvenile Justice and Albemarle County Public Schools, while also spearheading mentoring programs in each organization. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the greater good of not only his student’s lives, but also their families.

Chaplin/Mentor

Monica Thorpe is a native of Baltimore, Maryland who is compassionate and deeply committed to providing spiritual care and guidance to those who need it.  With over 20 years of experience providing pastoral care to families within the local church community, Monica has consistently been ready to offer emotional support through prayer and spiritual counseling to people from diverse backgrounds.

Monica holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Coppin State University, a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and is currently completing a Master's degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University.   Monica has demonstrated an ability to provide empathetic listening, facilitate healing conversations, and offer strength during difficult times.  Her approach to each situation is one of respect and a comforting presence that will foster peace, understanding, and resilience in the lives of others.

Recording Secretary

Toni Stanley has over 40 years of administrative experience and currently works for the federal government as a Management Analyst for the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid.  Toni is originally from Colorado Springs but as a military brat and Air Force veteran, travelled all over and eventually landed in Baltimore.  She is the mother of two daughters, grandmother to two and one grand dog. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with family & friends, attempting home renovation projects, travelling, cooking and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus.