Our Team
Leadership Team
Our team of directors are visionary leaders driving our mission forward.
Erin Bradley
she/her
Executive Director
Cortney Cooper
she/her
Development Director
Hanna Hochtetler
she/her. Ella habla español.
Adult & Youth Program Director
Shanette Nickens
she/her
Early Education Program Director
Coordinator Team
Our hands-on leaders coordinating the details that power our impact.
Areiona King
she/her
Communications Coordinator
Lindsay Waltner
she/her
Youth Programs Coordinator
Leischele Carter
she/her
Promise 1000 Program Coordinator
Cara Cooper
she/her
Early Head Start Program Coordinator
Youth Journeys Team
Running up to seven unique programs each year, our Youth Journeys team empowers students in grades K–12 with enriching experiences that build confidence, creativity, and critical life skills. From summer arts and enrichment camps to school-year tutoring, robotics, and financial literacy, our staff fosters growth through mentorship and hands-on learning.
DeRod Jordan “Mr. DJ”
he/him
Youth Coach- Financial Literacy
Chris Locke “Mr. Chris”
he/him
Youth Coach- Robotics
Promise 1000 Team
Our Promise 1000 program is in partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital. We support expectant parents and families with children ages 0–3. Through bi-weekly, in-home visits, our trained parent coaches focus on family health, early development, and strengthening parent-child connections.
Destinee Gillom
she/her
Parent Coach
Jessica Griffin
she/her
Parent Coach
Diashae Hargrove
she/her
Parent Coach
Talitha McFadden-James
she/her
Parent Coach
Early Head Start Team
Our federally funded Early Head Start program provides weekly, in-home visits for families with children ages 0–3. Parent coaches support early childhood development while equipping caregivers with tools, knowledge, and ongoing encouragement to foster strong, healthy foundations.
Elke Gonzales
she/her
Parent Coach
Gloria Mares
she/her
Parent Coach
Olivia Valerio
she/her. Ella habla español.
Parent Coach