Instructors

We work with a team of certified trainers, coaches, and industry leaders coming from public, private and non-profit sectors, who bring years of experience supporting youth and young adult populations.

Built From The Ground Up

Leadership

Our vision is to see the next generation that breaks away from the preconceived notions of success and limitations to live up to their greatest potential, reimagines what is possible for themselves, their community, and the greater humanity.

Co-Founder and CEO

Cheryl Robertson

Cheryl Robertson, PCC has spent the past 30 years training, mentoring and coaching both young adults and senior leaders. Her professional experience includes leading and managing Human Resource (HR) development, training and leadership development programs in the public sector.  Her leadership and commitment, along with her collaboration with agencies city-wide has been significant to DCHR and the DC Government’s success in developing leaders.

Co-Founder and COO

Kateryna Pyatybratova

Kateryna Pyatybratova, MBA, PMP. is a marketing and business development expert, with a passion for creating transformational leadership development experiences. Throughout her career she helped launch a number of innovative new initiatives, including world-class women’s leadership programs for emerging and executive women leaders at the George Washington University. Kateryna holds an M.A. in European and Eurasian Studies and an M.B.A. from the George Washington University, and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Decision and Risk Management from Stanford University.

WordPress Instructor

Michelle Baker

Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas. Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas. Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas. Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas. Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas.

Teachers With Vision

Our Instructors

Our team of certified executive coaches brings unmatched expertise in areas particularly relevant to young adults that are learning to navigate life, career and financial choices.

Zenobia Bryant, Ph.D.

Dr. Bryant has a Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. She also has almost seven years of specific experience as a dedicated public health professional and epidemiologist, with expertise in the following topics: mental health; health equity; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She brings significant experience conducting literature reviews, quantitative research, statistical analysis, convening multiple stakeholders, and preparing brief reports. Her extensive experience has resulted in a number of publications. She has also been featured on podcasts and asked to speak at various conferences.

Raymond Bell

Raymond Bell is the Founder & President of the H.O.P.E. Project. Its Training Academy offers training programs in select industries that offer hard-working individuals the opportunity to build careers that support their self-sufficiency. To ensure access to our life-changing programs, we work with individuals to make access to the training affordable, and we partner with government agencies, private and non-profit businesses, and community organizations. Their training programs range from courses in Commercial Drivers License, CompTIA A+,CompTIA Security+, and Security Guard Training, and offering industry-standard certifications, and professional development opportunities.

Earl Carr

Mr. Carr has over 25+ years of experience in wealth management, commercial banking, strategy, marketing, consulting, education, international development, and research & development. Earl held positions at: Morgan Stanley, HSBC Bank, McKinsey & Co, Council on Foreign Relations and lived in Asia for 8 years and studied at Beijing Normal University and worked at McKinsey’s China Knowledge Center in Shanghai. While studying at Tokyo’s International Christian University he later completed projects with the Lew Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. Earl is an Adjunct Instructor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs.

Richard Ciarletta

Richard Ciarletta is the Chief Operating Officer at Seedlying Financial Literacy. He is an experienced Software Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the e-learning industry. Skilled in Lesson Planning, Educational Technology, Management, Direct Marketing, and Marketing Strategy. Richard is a strong education professional with a Bachelors of Business Administration focused in Management/Marketing from City University of New York-Baruch College.

Kena Cofield Jones

Kena Cofield Jones has over 30 years of progressive Human Resources experience that includes management, talent acquisition, business process reengineering, and training, as well as other facets. Kena currently serves in an executive level position as the Director of Human Resources and has served in various senior management positions within the public sector as a key HR advisor and strategic business partner. She has led charges for implementing change, transformation, organizational development, and strategic planning.

Shanttel Liberato

Shanttel Liberato is an organizational change strategist, DEI Project Manager, Hotelier and an Entrepreneur, residing in Washington, DC. She is the owner of Hospitality to Work, working with local government agencies in the advancement and development of minority residents. In that role she partners with agencies in providing educational resources for career advancements for minorities, and consults minority business owners in their training, hiring, and development plans. 

Paris Perrault Tillery

Paris Perrault Tillery describes herself as an executive coach, educator, facilitator, researcher, author, change agent, genealogist, and artist. Her career spans 25 years serving with leaders in government, small start-ups, and large global and complex companies, with specialized expertise in organization development, performance engineering, healing collective and generational trauma, post pandemic health, wellness and healing, and social justice. She holds a B.A. in Social-Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.B.A. in Global Studies Program from the University of Phoenix, San Diego.

Kateryna Pyatybratova

Kateryna Pyatybratova, MBA, PMP, is a marketing and business development expert, with a passion for creating transformational leadership development experiences. She helped launch a number of innovative new initiatives, including world-class women’s leadership programs for emerging and executive women leaders at George Washington University. Kateryna also directed the nationally-recognized Cafritz Awards Program, which highlights significant accomplishments by DC Government employees in improving the quality of life for all those who live, work, do business, and visit the nation’s capital.

Darryl "D.Rey" Reynolds

Darryl “D.Rey” Reynolds is most known for his contribution during Villanova’s 2016 National Title run but has spent the last few years pursuing the Arts. After a career halting injury in 2018, he was forced into what seemed to be an early retirement. He immediately started coaching at his Alma Mater as the Director of Player Development while building a presence in the media with his show “Stay Tuned with D.Rey”. Once the show landed guest spots on FS1 and NBC Sports Philadelphia, he decided to pursue a full time career in entertainment after leaving Villanova in October of 2019.

Cheryl Robertson, PCC

Cheryl Robertson, PCC, has spent the past 30 years training, mentoring and coaching both young adults and senior leaders. Her professional experience includes leading and managing Human Resource (HR) development, training and leadership development programs in the public sector. Through her human resources experience, using partnership and rich conversations, she helps leaders find a path forward to their desired success. In October 2017-October 2018, she served as the Chair. Her leadership and commitment, along with her collaboration with agencies city-wide has been significant to DCHR and the DC Government’s success in developing leaders.

Sheri Smith

Sheri Smith, founder and CEO of Indigo, graduated from American University with a B.A. in International Studies and holds an M.A. from Georgetown in Communication. In college, Sheri worked for Vital Voices, an initiative supporting global women leaders. Here Sheri recognized her passion for helping people find their voice. Shifting her career focus to consulting, Sheri saw the benefits of clients working in their zone of genius. As a result, she founded Indigo with the vision of ushering in an education system that shifts away from standardization to one that empowers people to ultimately find work they love. She holds a B.A. in International Studies from the American University and an M.A. in Communication from Georgetown University.

Molly Sturges

Molly Sturges is a healing centered composer/artistic director, leadership cultivator, change agent, musical researcher, educator, facilitator, and meditation teacher who has worked with individuals, organizations, and communities around the globe for over 28 years at the intersection of participatory music and art making, leadership, healing, community organizing, education and spirituality. She currently is a Senior Fellow and consulting faculty with The Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at George Washington University and collaborates with individuals communities, leaders, and organizations across the globe to co-create a care-centric, just, compassionate and earth-centered world.

Rich Tafel

Rich Tafel is a transformative leader and executive coach in areas of public policy, social change and spiritual entrepreneurship. He currently serves as the Director of Marcum Social Capital Advisors, working with venture strategists, and has done leadership coaching for hundreds of social ventures. He is co-founder of the American Project at Pepperdine School of Public Policy, focusing on the future of healthy conservatism in America. His proudest achievements are taking a lead in the 1980’s as a leader in the battle against AIDS, LGBT rights and the effort to support African countries suffering through the AIDS epidemic. Tafel has spent the last four years leading conclaves to address the growing hyper partisanship in our culture. He is a frequent commentator on politics on TV. Tafel was recently elected as the President of the Board at Citizen University.

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is a native Washingtonian. He formerly worked at DC Department of Correction under the College and Career Readiness Division as a Program Specialist where he spearheaded a Cognitive Thinking Course called “Thinking for a Change”. Since joining DOC Paul has had his footprint all over the agencies from recruiting, inspiring, mentoring, enlightening and encouraging residents about the importance of taking advantage of the innovative programs being offered at the Jail. During FY18 11,000 inmates have taken advantage of the programs. Before joining DOC Paul used to be the Site-Lead at King Greenleaf Recreation Center where he helped to transform that Center into one of the most utilized and productive Centers in the city. With innovative programming and partnerships with such organizations as Sasha Bruce, Roving Leaders, and local law enforcement (The First Police District), this recreation center is now a safe haven for our youth and has evolved into a modern marvel.

Herbert R. Tillery

Herbert R. Tillery is the Founder and retired Executive Director of the College Success Foundation – District of Columbia, a non-profit that provides low-income, underserved students the academic, social, emotional, and financial support they need to graduate from high school on-time, complete college and thrive in life. The Foundation provides a consistent and long-term presence in student’s lives, beginning in middle school and continuing through college graduation. Herb served his country with distinction for over 26 years and retired with the rank of Colonel, U.S. Army. He has held various senior executive leadership positions, most notable, Deputy Mayor for Operations, Government of the District of Columbia; Executive Director, The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management, now known as the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, and Chief of Staff, District of Columbia Public Schools.

Lauren Weinstein

Lauren Weinstein has spent over a decade helping people navigate their professional career paths and working with organizations to make them healthy and productive. She’s coached hundreds of individuals and consulted with dozens of organizations.

Most recently, Lauren was the Director of Leadership Development at Degreed, a technology company committed to lifelong learning. Previously, she has worked at Raffa-Marcum, Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and Accenture. She is the co-author of “The Empowered Job Search: Build a New Mindset and Get a Great Job in an Unpredictable World” and the author of “Coaching is Calling: A Guide to Coach Training Programs and Professional Career Career Paths.”

Derrick Wesley

Derrick Wesley is the owner and founder of iMar Learning Solutions. The mission of iMar Learning Solutions is to help others to INVEST in the POWER of themselves. iMar Learning Solutions launched in 2016 in Dallas, Texas and Derrick has been making a name for himself in the education, fintech, and technology fields. Derrick Wesley and iMar Learning Solutions gained national recognition by becoming the inaugural winner of TD Ameritrade’s Innovation Quest. Derrick Wesley pitched his idea called PLAN-IT, a financial literacy application that can be used by users as young as 5 to retirement age, to over 2,000 attendees. Derrick launched Seedlyng Financial Literacy to provide even more resources for schools and nonprofits.

Stephanie Wharton

Stephanie Wharton serves as the Manager, DEI Recruiting Programs at Handshake. She gets excited about providing people with the tools and resources they need to thrive! After 10+ years as a content marketer, she transitioned to the recruiting space to live out her passion of connecting talented people to amazing opportunities. Her approach as a recruiter is rooted in empathy, efficiency, and authentic communication. Stephanie is a major fan of fueling diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in tech; building community and courageous spaces; jamming to 2000s music; and crossing things off lists.

Precious L. Williams

Precious L. Williams is a 13-time national elevator pitch champion who has also successfully appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Black Enterprise Magazine. She has even slayed 2 TEDx Talks! Precious, through her pitching skills and talents, has also watched her clients win millions of dollars in pitch competition money, secure lucrative speaking and corporate training contracts, and launch their next beautiful NOW!

Roz Wilson

Roz Wilson is an executive coach, helping clients to activate growth, build self- awareness and empower choice. Her guiding principles include: building trust and strong relationships; assuring people feel heard, cared for, respected, and affirmed. As an organizational development and learning consultant, Roz works with teams and different levels of leaders in complex organizations. Her specialties include coaching, teambuilding, visioning and strategic planning, inclusive leadership, interpersonal communications, emotional intelligence and conflict management. She also brings years of experience working in a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, law, healthcare, and financial services.

Daniel Valencia

Daniel is the web and technology developer for the Institute. A self-professed geek and enthusiast for all things technology, he has been tinkering with computers since he was 11 years old, and created his first website when he was 14. At Stanford he studied industrial design and computer science, focusing on creative design with an emphasis on the psychology of human computer interaction and creating easy to use digital interfaces and experiences. An expert web developer, he has created hundreds of websites with a specialty in WordPress, and maintains platforms for companies and media outlets that receive millions of visitors per month and depend on the highest security. He is a native of the San Francisco Bay area in California.

Lisa D.W. Mack

Lisa D.W. Mack is the founder of Mack Coaches. She is certified by the International Coach Federation and the Leadership Circle and holds a BCC, from Marylebone University. Most of her clients are in the DC area, but she also has clients across the US, Ireland, Hungary, Brazil, and Poland. Being a coach gives Lisa the opportunity to work with leaders who are committed to growing their career. She says: “My job as a coach is to ask you those thought-provoking questions to bring forth the answers which are already inside you! With this information, you will be able to create a “blueprint for success”, which you will be able to modify for any situation.”

Portia Obeng

Portia Obeng is a social media strategist with over 10 years of experience in social media strategy and content management. She started before Snaps were chatted, Instagram had stories, and Tiks were toked; and her current specialties are Instagram and LinkedIn. She works to help people and organizations understand how they can use social media, not let social media use them. She encourages them to step away from continuous mindless scrolling and figure out how to use social media to enhance their work, lives, and personal brands. She loves letting people know that they don’t have to be on every platform and they don’t have to dance on TikTok to gain brand awareness and generate leads!
Instructor Image
JavaScript Instructor

Paul Santos

Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas.

Instructor Image
Marketing Instructor

Donna Carroll

Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas.

Instructor Image
PHP Instructor

Scott Valdez

Duis aute irure dolor in velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat voluptas.

Join Our Community

Enter your email address to register to our newsletter subscription delivered on regular basis!