The Team
Aleesha served active duty in the United States Air Force as a Military Police Officer. While active duty she performed a variety of Law Enforcement duties and responsibilities that included armorer, patrolmen, desk sergeant, and training. One of the highlights of her career included providing personal security to Air Force 2.
She began her civil service career at Ft. Stewart, GA where she held various positions that include, Library Clerk, Receptionist, and Supply Warehouse Manager.
Aleesha moved on continuing to support the warfighter by working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There she worked as a Business Program Specialist. She analyzed purchase card activity, provided guidance and recommendations within regulatory and program restrictions, enforced comptroller policies and regulations, conducted annual billing official reviews, acted as a front-line contact for Government Purchase Card and Managing Account holders.
Later, she joined the Contracting Execution Branch. Most of the time spent in the Execution Branch her primary responsibility was to serve as Senior Contract Specialist and Subject Matter Expert in the Architect Engineering (A-E) section for the solicitation, award, and administration. She also maintained roles such as a Procurement Analyst and Grants/Cooperative Agreement Specialist.
Known for being High Energy, Intrinsically motivated, Innovative, Detailed Oriented, Extremely Organized, and Charismatic with an infectious positive attitude. Aleesha was selected as USACE 2019 Contract Specialist of the Year!
Currently she is a Senior Contracting Officer for the CDC specializing in Construction and Architect Engineering contracting.
Her drive is fueled by her belief that "it is not where you are from, but rather where you want to go, that should guide your steps in life" and “hard work pays off.’
Aleesha Butler
Aleesha@julieshaven.org
Elize Marias
Elize@julieshaven.org
Elize has 26 years of teaching experience on 4 continents, starting her career as a teacher psychologist. Currently, she's an English teacher at an international school in Kazakhstan. Elize has also worked in the marketing department of a major insurance company as a language editor for 12 years. Throughout her travels she has found that abuse against young girls and women is rife everywhere in the world.
Elize believes all traditional education systems have failed our girls, despite many "rules", and paper trails to report abuse. In fact, the situation has never been worse.
Elize believes that the time for women to take charge of their daughters' education and general well-being is NOW!
Prianna McDonald
Intern, Spelman College
Prianna@julieshaven.org
Psychology major, Spanish minor. Giving back to the community, especially young girls is important to me because I believe in the need for empowerment. Young girls, especially, face certain barriers that can block them from reaching their full potential, which is even worse for girls of color. With empowerment and support, we help make a more equitable world.
Shannan Perez Shannan@julieshaven.org
Shannan Perez has worked in education for going on 22 years now. She is an online educator of Education First live where she educates adults who want to learn English worldwide. She has worked in a variety of educational settings and follows the trends of the educational community.
As part of working as an online educator, Shannan has worked hard to improve how her students learn and understand English. She has also worked to improve education structures abroad in the UAE and in China and she supports global education groups. She has worked as a teacher of math, science, ICT, STEM, and robotics.
She lives in Bogota, Colombia working with Education programs educating adults in English. When Shannan isn’t working hard at EF live you’ll find she enjoys doing things outdoors. She likes rock climbing and mountain biking in her free time. She also has her own YouTube channel teaching English.
Dr. Gwen Martin
Gwen@julieshaven.org
Dr. Gwendolyn Martin, who goes by the name Dr. Gwen, is a licensed professional counselor, former special education teacher (behavioral/emotional impairments), school counselor and college professor.
Dr. Gwen holds a Doctor of Education in Education Administration, and Education Specialist in Counselor Education (mental health), a Master of Education (school counseling), and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a certification in Behavior Disorders. Dr. Gwen has work experience in schools and outpatient settings. She is a professional member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American School Counselor Association (ASCA), Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA), and National Counselor Association (NCC). As a cognitive-behavior therapist, Dr. Gwen assists clients in understanding the connection between thoughts, behavior, and emotions.
Dr. Gwen has served in several professional capacities to champion her work. She is the author of: Dr. Gwen’s A to Z Self-Care Guide for Educators, Make Yourself A Priority: Your Needs Matter Too! Journal, Dr. Gwen’s A to Z Self-Care Guide for Teens, and Live Your Best Life 5-Minute Self-Care Journal for Teens. Dr. Gwen has also co-authored two inspirational anthologies for women empowerment, published in a respected educational journal, and authored a textbook chapter on child trauma. She has also developed several self-care tools to include Dr. Gwen’s Brain Break Kit for kids.
Sparkle Simon
Sparkle@julieshaven.org
Sparkle Simon is a Senior Process/Line Lead at the Molson Coors Beverage Co (formally known as Miller Brewing Co.) with more than 23 years of employment with the company and more than 22 years of experience with management and leadership skills. Sparkle has managed multiple Packaging lines including managing hourly and salaried employees. As a Senior Process Lead, Sparkle is responsible for the everyday production, maintenance, budgeting, and staffing needs of her packaging lines.
Sparkle Simon is a long-time member of the AAEN ERG group and a member of the Wisconsin Chapter of BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates). Sparkle Simon, sat on the board of executives for the Local 9 UAW Union for 5 years and served as the Senior Packaging Union Steward for 8 years. Sparkle has served on the planning committee for the Molson Coors Annual Safety Culture Summit for 4 consecutive years. Sparkle is also serving her 2nd year being a member of the Toast on Tap, Toast Masters Club. Sparkle Simon has received numerous awards and certificates over the years including the most recent, graduating from the Tap2Lead program in 2021. For the past 8 years, Sparkle has participated in the annual volunteer events with the Junior Achievement nonprofit organization and the United Way Day of Caring volunteer events.
Sparkle’s long-term goal is to eventually become a community activist and motivational speaker, advocating for better resources in impoverished neighborhoods for better education, better health, living resources, counseling, and coaching for adult and family life skills.
Shanique Smith
Shanique@julieshaven.org
Shanique Smith is currently a Realty Specialist with the Federal Government, with 20 years of federal service. She also works and volunteers part-time for a Domestic Violence Women's Shelter. Before joining the federal workforce, she was an active duty soldier and is now a disabled veteran. The military gave her the foundation of independence and confidence, it established the foundation for a lifetime of service for trying to make this a better world. She currently holds a degree in HumanResources Administration. Shanique specializes in administrative technology and is responsible for monitoring all recruiting stations in the South Atlantic District (North
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia). She is a powerful force in the workplace and
uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. In her free time, Shanique likes to read, walk and play
board games with her family.
The Board
Angela Momon-Hughes
Executive Director /Visionaire
Angela@julieshaven.org
Angela has worked as a middle school Educator in international and urban settings for over 22 years. Angela holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Kansas State University, a master's degree in Education with an emphasis on Curriculum Development from Maquette University.
She has been a coordinator for teachers, parents, and students' improvement projects. Angela has also been involved in the development of workshops and clubs that focused on activities that empowered children, informed parents, and assisted teachers with obtaining the goals and objectives of various school organizations. Over the years, Angela has seen a growing need for young girls to develop a greater affirmational stance and awareness towards their lives. Too many young girls are struggling through life with overwhelming damage to their sense of value as a person and a female. Angela seeks to use her understanding of curriculum, management, and student coordination to create an organization that informs, encourages, and advocates for young girls who are increasingly devalued, harassed, and sexually abused.
Angelina Moore
Chief Governance Officer
Angelina@julieshaven.org
Angelina has over 25 years of global and domestic experience in leading and participating on cross-organizational and cross-functional teams to develop, plan, execute, and evaluate community outreach, enterprise risk management and compliance, and communication programs for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Additionally, she holds a master’s in Communication Management from University of Southern California and is alum of Riordan Leadership Institute (now Southern California Leadership Network) that educates and trains business professionals for lifelong service in the governance of nonprofit organizations.
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Dr. Cheri Hayes
Chair
Cheri@julieshaven.org
Dr. Cheri Alphonse Hayes is a patriot and a die-hard lover of the island of St. Lucia. She believes in keeping her cultural origins and ancestral foundation alive through language (creole), dialect, events, and travel. In 2012, she supported the growth and development of Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia (RYV). RYV Saint Lucia provides quality, compassionate and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in women and children experiencing gender-based violence, and lead the struggle to end this brutality through advocacy and community education.
Dr. Hayes is currently a principal at a military-connected elementary school. She leverages her experience to ensure that students’ social-emotional needs are met, within her abilities. She works daily to create intentional and purposeful relationships with all stakeholders in the best interest of students. There is no task too small she is not willing to accomplish for the children she leads.
Dr. Cheri Alphonse Hayes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Herbert Lehman College, City University of New York. She worked in the banking industry for many years before fulfilling her lifelong dream of being an educator. Dr. Hayes attained her Master of Arts in Teaching on a full scholarship from Pathways to Teaching at Norfolk State University. She then pursued and earned her Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University and her doctorate degree in Reading and Literacy at Capella University.
She is also the author of three children’s books: A Teacher’s Surprise, Talking Talia Tattles or Tells, and Counting is Simply Beautiful.
Ajala VanDyke Treasurer
Ajala@julieshaven.org
Ajala is currently leading a mixed retail organization. With 24 years of retail experience, a passion for diversity and people has shaped the leader she is today. As a soldier, she served on the BOSS Committee. As the spouse of a soldier, Ajala had the opportunity to reside as President of the Officer and Enlisted Wive's Club, Girl Scout Troop Leader, and Treasurer of the Officer and Enlisted Wives Club. Ajala volunteered with Harnett County Schools reading and mathematics enrichment program.
Ajala enjoys traveling, reading, quilting (by hand), and spending time with her family.