Who We Are

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (click here for list)

Staff & Consultants

Jessie McGuire
Acting Executive Director

Jessie is a native of Michigan and graduate of Siena Heights University. She has over 10 years experience working with children in formal and alternative education environments. She has had the opportunity to work as a teacher and program director for the largest and most successful environmental education non-profit in New England. Focusing on hands-on education, cummunity and team building she got to work with over 70 different schools in 7 states. Jessie also spent time as the Dean of Students at The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, MA where she acted as primary school disciplinarian, head of student affairs, and community school representative. She also developed school-wide behavioral reinforcement programs and character curriculum. Jessie serves YouthBASE as the Assistant Director providing volunteer coordination, training, and program management and development. She is an outdoor enthusiast, avid reader and lover of travel.

Francis Kumah
Academic Coach
 
Francis, originally from Ghana, has been with YouthBASE as the Academic Coach since August 2009. Francis brings to YouthBASE over 5 years of experience working with young people. He holds a degree in Accountancy from the Institute of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, and a two year certificate in Youth Counselling, Camp and Survival Skills. As a General Manager in a garment factory in Ghana, Francis was sponsored as part of a trade delegation mission by the Gov't of Ghana to New York in 2006 and Las Vegas in 2007 to look for US investors to do business with Ghana. These trips made Francis more conversant with US cultural practices. In Ghana he was highly involved in a youth program called Young and Wise, which was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2007, Francis was recruited by the Washington based American Youth Work Center (AYWC) for Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA) as a youth counselor for troubled youth sentenced by DJJ. He lived 24/7 with troubled American kids at a camp for almost two years before moving to the Boys and Girls Club of Brevard, NC to assist in implementing their 2009 summer program. Francis has been trained extensively in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI). Francis is happily married to Pam, a nurse manager of the Spartanburg Regional Health Care System. They live happily together in Spartanburg.
 

Kari M. Hall, M.Ed.
Senior Education Consultant

Kari is a graduate of the University of Maryland. She comes to YouthBASE with 11 years in the classroom as well as experience in after-school programming. She is currently an elementary school teacher in Richmond, Virginia, where she specializes in research-based reading instruction and intervention. Kari has taught in diverse school systems and understands the importance of community-based education and its relationship to reading instruction. She also was elected recently to the Board of Directors for the Henrico Education Association. Kari will provide consultation services related to the design and implementation of academic programs.

Brandon G. Briery, Ph.D.
Senior Research & Evaluation Consultant

Brandon comes to YouthBASE with over fifteen years of experience in researching youth-serving organizations, including previously serving as Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He has conducted research with summer camps, schools, hospitals, and community-based organizations, and brings a wealth of expertise in research and evaluation. He has presented his research findings at national and international professional conferences and through professional peer-reviewed print journals. Brandon serves as Camp Director for the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential in the Hill Country of Texas, an organization whose mission is to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs – and those who care for them – through Recreation, Respite, and Education. Brandon serves YouthBASE by providing its staff members & clients with consultation services related to evaluation of its programs and data analysis, as well asassistance with the design andimplementation of consultative behavioral support programs & services.

Marissa Hudson
Grants Coordinator

Marissa Hudson comes to YouthBASE with over 5 years of development experience in the Greenville community. She is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned a B.S. in Health Science, with concentrations in Health Education and Promotion. She currently is a Manager for Diversity Wellness, LLC where she manages Corporate Wellness programs for different corporations across the country. During her time at Clemson she interned with Partners for A Healthy Community in Anderson, SC and was actively involved in seeking funding and sponsorship for initiatives related to Healthy People 2000, a national Initiative governed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Marissa has been involved in the non profit community in Greenville for the past ten years. Her involvement has included work with Camp Opportunity, The Greenville Free Medical Clinic, The Junior League of Greenville and the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. Marissa serves YouthBASE by overseeing all grant-writing operations for the organization.

Current Interns

Elizabeth Hodgson, Behavior Coach (Furman University) 

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