Education

• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi State University
• Master of Technology Education, Mississippi State University
• Bachelor in Business Administration, Mississippi State University

Dr. Brandi Burton has spent her entire career in the field of education. She spent eight years teaching multiple subjects in the middle and high school classroom before transitioning into a position as a curriculum writer for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Dr. Burton continued with MSU-Ext and became Director of Communications and Research for the early childhood education department she was within and spent a great deal of time presenting research and outcomes on educational practices in MS at numerous national conferences. Within her role at MSU, Dr. Burton was on the writing team that secured a funding award for MSU Extension in the amount of nearly $38 million dollars. Since then, she has written and received awards for nearly $50 million in grants for multiple organizations.

After completing her doctorate in middle level curriculum and instruction, Dr. Burton wanted to make the move back to K-12 education. Currently, she serves as the Director of Educational Enhancement and Innovative Research for SOCSD and Director of the SOCSD Discovery Center. Within this role Dr. Burton manages all Grant and Innovative projects within the district as well as libraries, makerspaces, and outside research studies. She also serves as an adjunct professor for the University of West Alabama in which she teaches Master’s Level educational courses.

When not at work, Dr. Burton spend time with her husband and three children. She loves to read and travel whenever possible. Her motto is, “You can learn more from books and experiences than anything else, and I love to learn”.

Education

• Post Graduate work: University of Kentucky, Department of Sociology, Ph.D. program
• M.A. Sociology, Morehead State University
• B.S. Biology and Sociology Morehead State University

Loretta Carroll Stewart has been writing grants for over 20 years. She has provided grant writing and grant research services for Community Mental Health Centers, Universities, schools, and countless non-profit organizations. Throughout her career, she has written numerous successful grant applications for nearly every agency within the federal government and completed a multitude of state and foundation grants. Loretta has extensive experience in program development and program design, a real asset as she guides clients through the project planning process. Loretta has also served as a content reviewer and worked in grant quality control.

In addition to grant writing and program development, Loretta has worked as a Counselor and Training Coordinator at a Youth Treatment Center; served as a Certified Prevention Professional for a Regional Prevention Center; and was the Director of Morehead State University’s Community Outreach Partnership Center. At Morehead State University, she connected faculty and students with educational service opportunities within the surrounding community. Loretta has also served as a YouthBuild Director and provided program oversight to the federally funded program through three successful grant cycles. She has worked in both the public and private sectors but has ultimately ended up writing grants in every position that she has held. Loretta has a passion for the grant writing process and greatly values the opportunity to assist organizations as they provide much-needed programming and services for their communities.

During her free time, Loretta enjoys going on adventures with her daughter, hiking in the woods, and serving as a Troop Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Her greatest joy in life is her daughter, Alyssa.

Education

• Masters in Philanthropic Studies with Nonprofit Management Certificate, The School of Philanthropy at Indiana University
• B.A., German and European Studies, Vanderbilt University

With more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Catherine (Katie) Chapman CFRE has served in numerous nonprofit roles as the national development director for a runaway and homeless youth organization, an interim executive director for a faith-based organization, and as a consultant to philanthropists creating high-level fundraising events. She has experience with all aspects of raising funds including major donors, corporate philanthropy, cause marketing, and writing and winning grants from all levels of government, corporations, and private foundations. The Junior League awarded Katie an “Unsung Heroine Award,” and she has been designated a 40 Under 40 Award winner for her civic leadership.

Education

• PhD Health Services, University of California, Los Angeles
• MS Health Sciences, California State University, Long Beach
• BS Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Pamela has deep expertise in grant writing, leading and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, strategic planning, analytics, advanced conceptual thinking, communications, evaluation, performance improvement, and leadership, organization and team development. Her expertise in evaluation design and methods is applied to strengthen grant proposals by demonstrating to the funder, the organization will show responsible stewardship and accountability for achieving specified outcomes. Pamela’s experience in expanding structure, budget, and reach of various organizations is accomplished through strategic planning, innovative grant writing, and evaluation design. With a record of driving results through effective planning and execution, team motivation, and data driven decision-making, she is able to work effectively at all levels of the organization with creativity and flexibility.

Her educational background includes a BS in Biology from UNCC, MS in Health Sciences from CSULB, and PhD in Health Policy and Management from UCLA with a cognate in Leadership and Organization Development. Pamela’s twenty-five years in teaching, curriculum and educational program development emphasizes applied learning, educational outcomes and competency development.

Additionally, Pamela is involved in church ministries including Lector Ministry, Sealed Confirmation, and Silent Meditation. She enjoys touring the California wine country and Italian cooking.

Education

• MPA, University of South Dakota
• BA Political Science and Philosophy, University of South Dakota

Andrew is an experienced grant writer and grant manager with a professional background working with local, state, federal, and foundation grants. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Andrew received his undergraduate and graduate education from the University of South Dakota before entering the professional realm as a City Manager for municipalities in rural New Mexico and Kansas. Through his work in local government administration, Andrew secured and managed millions of dollars in grant funding for essential infrastructure and community projects. Andrew’s professional experience also includes serving as Grant Manager for a Tribal government in Kansas, where he was heavily involved in federal grant writing, grant management, and the federal procurement process. Andrew is passionate about working with organizations and partners by identifying, developing, and managing their grants.

Education

• Master in Health Services Administration, Florida International University
• BBA Accounting, Florida Atlantic University
• BS Business Administration, University of Florida

Eve Mart is a seasoned professional with nearly 20 years of progressive experience in research and grant development. Her career has been marked by leadership roles, where she secured program and capacity-building funding from key sources.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is a breast cancer survivor and advocate, dedicating her time to raising awareness and supporting fellow survivors. Beyond her work, she is passionate about road cycling. Also, she shares her life at home with two rescue dogs and a set of feisty parrots, cherishing the companionship and chaos they bring to her daily routine.

Education

• BA, Florida State University
• MPA, Barry University,

Mario is a native of Florida. He got his start writing and managing grants while working for the Florida Department of Health. During his time there, he managed several statewide initiatives including expanding HIV testing into clinical settings as a part of a routine health screening. Richardson has also worked for the N.C. Office of Indigent Defense Services managing contracts for public defense, as well as the Urban Institute as a Senior Manager.

Education

• Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D.
• MEd, American University
• BS, Virginia State University

Community Involvement

• International Association for Blended Learning (IABL) – Founder, Past President
• Fulbright Association – ex-Board Member

Dr. Willis-Darpoh has decades of experience in education. She conducted research in the social and behavioral sciences and provided training and technical assistance to school districts implementing multimillion-dollar, multiyear government-funded grants. She staffed proposal teams and worked with federal project officers to ensure grant compliance.