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Patricia Demetriou/President/Founder

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Board Of Directors

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

Jason is a visionary professional inspired by what lies ahead with more than 10 years of experience in various technical support and Major Incident Management roles. He has helped improve team efficiency and has created strategies that helped reduce organizational risk. Jason is the Vice President for Global Technology Infrastructure Plat

Jason is a visionary professional inspired by what lies ahead with more than 10 years of experience in various technical support and Major Incident Management roles. He has helped improve team efficiency and has created strategies that helped reduce organizational risk. Jason is the Vice President for Global Technology Infrastructure Platforms/ Major Incident Management, who leads a team of professionals and supports JPMC internal/external customers.

Jason is a graduate of DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management. In addition to the nonprofit organization, Jason is working to implement the Youth Leadership Program which provides high-school students with opportunities to earn highly sought IT certifications, career development, and financial and reading literacy programs post-graduation. Jason is enthusiastic about giving back and making sure the youth in the communities we representhave the skills, confidence, and tools to be successful. Jason has two adult children and two grandchildren and one of his interests is that he is a car enthusiast of classical/historical muscle cars.

sandeep nair - VIce president

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

 Sandeep Nair is a globally accomplished business leader and board member with a passion for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. With more than two decades of president-level leadership experience at Emerson Electric, a Fortune 500 company, he has built a strong reputation for driving strategic growth, devel

 Sandeep Nair is a globally accomplished business leader and board member with a passion for helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. With more than two decades of president-level leadership experience at Emerson Electric, a Fortune 500 company, he has built a strong reputation for driving strategic growth, developing high-performing teams, and creating sustainable value across diverse business environments.


Today, Sandeep channels his expertise into supporting organizations—both for-profit and nonprofit—in advancing their goals and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset. He has a special interest in education and empowerment, recognizing them as essential pillars for thriving in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.

Dr. Paul L. Tiggs II - Treasurer

Jason D. Morgan, MISM - Board President

Dr. Paul L. Tiggs II - Treasurer

Paul has over twenty years of experience working in the mental health field.  Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Paul continued his educational endeavors by completing his Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Argosy University in Phoenix, Arizona.  While obtaining his M.A

Paul has over twenty years of experience working in the mental health field.  Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Paul continued his educational endeavors by completing his Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Argosy University in Phoenix, Arizona.  While obtaining his M.A., Paul worked with "at-risk" children and their parents.  This provided Paul with a deeper understanding of the challenges of professionally working with youth and their families. Paul also obtained his Doctorate of Psychology from Capella University with a specialization in clinical psychology.  While earning his Doctorate Degree, Paul completed his pre-doctoral internship conducting Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) at Pennsylvania Counseling Services.  Working with a diverse population of at risk adolescence, their family, and therapeutically engaging available community resources provided Paul invaluable experience and a greater appreciation and drive to help this population. 

Elijah Mattis- interim secretary

Elijah Mattis- interim secretary

Dr. Paul L. Tiggs II - Treasurer

 Elijah Mattis is a forward-thinking professional with a strong background in data-driven media, operations, and team leadership. He currently serves as an Operations Analyst at PLS Financial Services, where he manages compliance, training, and performance initiatives across multiple regions. With a degree in Communication from Bowling Gr

 Elijah Mattis is a forward-thinking professional with a strong background in data-driven media, operations, and team leadership. He currently serves as an Operations Analyst at PLS Financial Services, where he manages compliance, training, and performance initiatives across multiple regions. With a degree in Communication from Bowling Green State University, Elijah brings sharp analytical and communication skills to every project he takes on. His experience in contract and personnel management—particularly in high-demand logistics roles—highlights his adaptability and proven leadership under pressure. Certified in Google Analytics, HubSpot Marketing, and more, Elijah is passionate about using data to drive strategic growth and operational excellence. 

Sehrish Rider - Member

Elijah Mattis- interim secretary

KATHRYN JOHNSON - Member

Sherish Rider is a dedicated and passionate worker for LifeSmart Education (LSE) since 2014, when she started out as a volunteer. Sehrish has extensive knowledge working in the financial sector and education. Sehrish has transitioned her love for education to become a board member of LSE to help develop programs and to run the newly forme

Sherish Rider is a dedicated and passionate worker for LifeSmart Education (LSE) since 2014, when she started out as a volunteer. Sehrish has extensive knowledge working in the financial sector and education. Sehrish has transitioned her love for education to become a board member of LSE to help develop programs and to run the newly formed for-profit company AM City Kids LLC, an online tutoring platform. Sehrish helps to run this program as the Program Manager which supports the nonprofit work of LSE.  

KATHRYN JOHNSON - Member

Elijah Mattis- interim secretary

KATHRYN JOHNSON - Member

Kathryn Johnson is an accomplished Human Resources professional with more than 12 years of experience leading organizational transformation, strengthening governance structures, and driving strategic talent initiatives. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in designing and implementing systems that enhance workforce effectiven

Kathryn Johnson is an accomplished Human Resources professional with more than 12 years of experience leading organizational transformation, strengthening governance structures, and driving strategic talent initiatives. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in designing and implementing systems that enhance workforce effectiveness, streamline operations, and support long-term organizational growth.


Kathryn is deeply passionate about empowering people and building strong, inclusive workplace cultures. She believes in the power of human capital as a catalyst for both business performance and meaningful community impact. Her commitment to aligning people strategies with organizational goals has made her a trusted partner to leadership teams and a valued contributor across the organizations she serves.


James breibach - Member

James breibach - Member

James breibach - Member

 James Breibach is an executive procurement professional, consultant, and financial empowerment coach with over 30 years of experience across procurement, retail, and e-commerce. He has built a career specializing in global sourcing, cost optimization, vendor management, and product development, helping organizations improve profitability

 James Breibach is an executive procurement professional, consultant, and financial empowerment coach with over 30 years of experience across procurement, retail, and e-commerce. He has built a career specializing in global sourcing, cost optimization, vendor management, and product development, helping organizations improve profitability and operational efficiency. James has held senior leadership roles including Vice President of Textile Procurement at Rizzy Home and Director of Purchasing at Quality Procurement Group, where he led multimillion-dollar negotiations and strengthened supplier partnerships while expanding product lines and market reach.


In addition to his corporate leadership background, James brings strong expertise in financial coaching and community empowerment. He previously served as a Financial Coach with Wright-Patt Credit Union and as a Universal Banker with U.S. Bank, guiding individuals in budgeting, credit improvement, and long-term financial planning. Known for his commitment to integrity, mentorship, and practical problem-solving, James combines C-suite strategy with hands-on coaching to help both organizations and individuals achieve sustainable growth and success.

Jay maier - Member

James breibach - Member

James breibach - Member

 Jay G. Maier is a finance and healthcare innovation professional with experience spanning investment banking, private equity relations, and emerging healthcare ventures. He currently serves as an Associate at Healthcare Development & Innovation Group (HDIG), where he contributes to a three-pillar strategy focused on building a comprehens

 Jay G. Maier is a finance and healthcare innovation professional with experience spanning investment banking, private equity relations, and emerging healthcare ventures. He currently serves as an Associate at Healthcare Development & Innovation Group (HDIG), where he contributes to a three-pillar strategy focused on building a comprehensive database of healthcare innovation players, advising clients on strategic applications, and supporting the development of an opportunistic healthcare innovation fund. His work reflects a strong blend of analytical rigor and forward-thinking strategy, particularly in identifying and scaling innovative opportunities within complex industries. 


 Prior to HDIG, Jay worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Brady Ware Capital, where he played a key role in M&A transactions across multiple sectors. His responsibilities included financial modeling, valuation analysis (DCF, LBO, comparables), buyer outreach, and the preparation of critical deal materials such as confidential information memoranda. In addition, he managed private equity relationships, actively engaging with financial sponsors nationwide to support deal sourcing and execution. Jay began his career through investment banking internships and holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Psychology from The Ohio State University. His technical expertise includes industry-leading financial tools and he is SIE certified, underscoring his strong foundation in capital markets and investment strategy. 

gARY ADAM - MEMBER

James breibach - Member

BRENNEN CARTER - BOARD PROJECT MANAGER

 Gary Adam is a mission-driven executive leader with extensive experience in operational leadership, strategic growth, and community impact. He brings a strong background in nonprofit leadership, corporate sales, and financial stewardship, with a proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop sustainable revenue strategies. Gar

 Gary Adam is a mission-driven executive leader with extensive experience in operational leadership, strategic growth, and community impact. He brings a strong background in nonprofit leadership, corporate sales, and financial stewardship, with a proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop sustainable revenue strategies. Gary is known for his servant leadership approach, guiding organizations through complex challenges while fostering collaboration, accountability, and mission alignment.  


 He currently serves as Men’s Pastor and Executive Director of Operations at The Family Church of Pickerington, where he provides strategic oversight, leadership development, and pastoral care. Gary’s professional experience includes executive roles such as Director of Revenue at Five Star Home Services and Vice President of International Sales at RG Barry Brands, where he led global business operations and growth initiatives. In addition to his professional work, he actively contributes to community-focused organizations, including addiction recovery and youth development initiatives, and has served in board leadership roles both nationally and internationally. 

BRENNEN CARTER - BOARD PROJECT MANAGER

BRENNEN CARTER - BOARD PROJECT MANAGER

BRENNEN CARTER - BOARD PROJECT MANAGER

Brennen (B.) Carter, M.Ed., MLS is an academic and business consultant, program manager, and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience supporting educational institutions, nonprofits, startups, and small businesses. As the Owner and Head Consultant of Brennen & Consultants, LLC, he provides strategic guidance across business deve

Brennen (B.) Carter, M.Ed., MLS is an academic and business consultant, program manager, and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience supporting educational institutions, nonprofits, startups, and small businesses. As the Owner and Head Consultant of Brennen & Consultants, LLC, he provides strategic guidance across business development, education, policy, and organizational management. Carter previously led Bren’s Resources, a social assistance consulting firm that earned 24 perfect 5-star Google reviews during four years of service. His work spans project management, mentorship, grant writing, and program development, with experience helping organizations and individuals achieve professional, academic, and operational success. 


Carter holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership & Policy from the University of Washington and a Master of Legal Studies in Social and Corporate Law from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He is also pursuing additional credentials in executive business administration, project management, and program management through institutions including Quantic, Google, Microsoft, and the Project Management Institute. An accomplished educator and writer, Carter has taught over 500 students across 15 years, authored numerous publications and books. He also serves as a SCORE Certified Mentor and has contributed to advisory and mentorship initiatives with organizations such as Harvard Business Review, the USC Black Alumni Association, and UW’s Husky Leadership Initiative. 

ADVISORY BOARD

AMAVI BADA - ADVISORY BOARD

DR. NILESH KHARE - ADVISORY BOARD

DR. NILESH KHARE - ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Amavi Bada is an international development executive with over 20 years of experience driving large-scale transformative programs across Africa. Since 2013, he has operated at the regional leadership level, overseeing multi-country portfolios exceeding $20 million and spanning more than 10 nations.


A specialist in systems transformatio

Dr. Amavi Bada is an international development executive with over 20 years of experience driving large-scale transformative programs across Africa. Since 2013, he has operated at the regional leadership level, overseeing multi-country portfolios exceeding $20 million and spanning more than 10 nations.


A specialist in systems transformation, Dr. Bada bridges the gap between governments, institutional funders, and delivery partners to transition localized pilots into sustainable, nationally owned systems. He excels at translating complex policy into operational reality, strengthening public sector delivery, and aligning financing with implementation for long-term impact.


Previously, as Regional Lead for West, Central, and North Africa at SOS Children’s Villages International, Dr. Bada led major system reforms, secured significant funding, and strengthened governance across multiple national boards. His leadership was pivotal in reinforcing institutional accountability and strategic oversight for complex multi-country operations. He also held regional leadership roles at People Power Inclusion and Mercy Corps, where he designed partnerships with the World Bank, USAID, the EU, and UN agencies across financial inclusion and social protection.


Dr. Bada’s professional foundation includes tenures at global technology leaders HP and NCR, where he developed the operational expertise that informs his tech-enabled, scalable approach to development. An accomplished academic, he holds a Doctorate in International Business and serves as an adjunct faculty member, bridging the gap between evidence-based research and field implementation.

DR. NILESH KHARE - ADVISORY BOARD

DR. NILESH KHARE - ADVISORY BOARD

DR. NILESH KHARE - ADVISORY BOARD

 Dr. Nilesh finds his greatest fulfillment in empowering leaders, executive teams, startups, and business families to navigate their evolving contexts, unlock their potential, and achieve their strategic goals. With integrity, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose, he offers consulting, board and CxO advisory, independent board membership,

 Dr. Nilesh finds his greatest fulfillment in empowering leaders, executive teams, startups, and business families to navigate their evolving contexts, unlock their potential, and achieve their strategic goals. With integrity, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose, he offers consulting, board and CxO advisory, independent board membership, executive coaching, mentoring, corporate training, and research in strategy, entrepreneurship, corporate governance, and organizational transformation. As a co-founder of Enableance.com, he operates in the consulting, coaching, and training space while also serving as an adjunct professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at IIM Sambalpur. With over 28 years of global experience spanning India, the USA, and the UAE, Nilesh has held leadership roles across diverse industries and organizational contexts. He earned his Ph.D. from Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and has taught there and in the UAE. His professional journey includes consulting roles at PwC, KPMG, and Henley Center, as well as serving as the country head for Telos Partners in India. A certified coach (ACC, RCC, ICC), he also holds a CFA (India), an MBA from IBS Hyderabad, and a BE in Electronics from MNIT Jaipur. Additionally, he is certified as an Independent Director for publicly listed companies in India. Based in Bhopal, he lives with his wife, son, and parents. 

Executive Team

Tracee Patterson

Interim Executive Director

 

Our Executive Director, Tracee Patterson, brings over 25 years of experience in executive management, community engagement, grants management, and educational consulting. She has collaborated with a diverse array of professionals across federal, state, and local government, higher education, healthcare, and fait

Interim Executive Director

 

Our Executive Director, Tracee Patterson, brings over 25 years of experience in executive management, community engagement, grants management, and educational consulting. She has collaborated with a diverse array of professionals across federal, state, and local government, higher education, healthcare, and faith-based nonprofit organizations. Her leadership roles have consistently demonstrated success in community consensus building, stakeholder outreach, and program development within diverse cultural populations throughout metropolitan Detroit. 


A few of Tracee's recent roles include serving as an Executive Consultant to the CEO of the Horatio Williams Foundation, Director of Operations and Outreach for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (Michigan Chapter), and Educational Consultant for Eastern Michigan University. These positions have further honed her ability to deliver key project successes and drive increased support for LifeSmart Education and the communities we serve.


Tracee is particularly proud of her work leveraging community networks to expose underrepresented students in Wayne and Oakland counties to Japanese and Spanish languages and cultures. As the founder, lead instructor, and administrator of the Kids Explore Japan Program™, she managed a dedicated team of remote instructors delivering language education across five school districts in Southeast Michigan. She looks forward to replicating these successful language programs here in Columbus.


Tracee embraces a transformational leadership style, ensuring that collaborators and community partners feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute. Her deep expertise in community outreach and engagement brings immense strength to the organization and will undoubtedly elevate LifeSmart's programming to the next level.  

Team Leaders

Aparajita Dutta

Aparajita Dutta

Aparajita Dutta

Grants Director

Ashley Wheeler

Aparajita Dutta

Aparajita Dutta

Program Director - Volunteer

DR. MONICA JARAMILLO

DR. MONICA JARAMILLO

DR. MONICA JARAMILLO

Program Director - Volunteer

CHERYL CASH

DR. MONICA JARAMILLO

DR. MONICA JARAMILLO

Chief Finance Officer - Volunteer

staffs & volunteers

Brenda Dixon

Christine Lopez

Christine Lopez

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Christine Lopez

Christine Lopez

Christine Lopez

Executive Assistant

Mayuri Kulkarni

Mayuri Kulkarni

Mayuri Kulkarni

Program Assistant

Anne Briggs

Mayuri Kulkarni

Mayuri Kulkarni

Grant Writer

Luke Smith

safiyyah multani

safiyyah multani

Volunteer - Accounting Assistant

safiyyah multani

safiyyah multani

safiyyah multani

 Volunteer - Curriculum Program Manager

Huanan Yu

cailan sandusky

cailan sandusky

Volunteer - Curriculum ESL Instructor

cailan sandusky

cailan sandusky

cailan sandusky

Volunteer - Podcast Producer

Naimisha Pasumarti

Volunteer - HR Admin/Outreach Coordinator

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