The Fishing School

Leo joined TFS in September 2007, following over 25 years of senior executive experience with local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. During his time with TFS, the organization has more than doubled the number of students served and nearly tripled its operating budget. Immediately prior to joining TFS, he served as Deputy Executive Director of Membership Mobilization for Amnesty International USA. He was a member of the organization’s senior management team that was responsible for guiding its work and managing a $45 million budget. He provided direct leadership to several national business units focused on youth membership development, advocacy, public education, volunteer recruitment, training, and membership mobilization. His responsibilities also included leading national field operations and national program development in support of the organization’s 700,000 members and over 1,700 student and local chapters. Earlier in his career he served as a founding Deputy Director of the Doug Williams Foundation where he created and managed five city-wide youth programs that reached several thousand students in DC public schools. Leo received a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Howard University and a Bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television from Grambling State University where he was a member of the famed Tiger football team coached by the legendary educator Eddie Robinson.

Quinci joined The Fishing School in August of 2011. Her work experience includes building capacity in organizations working to strengthen vulnerable or underserved communities, and developing nonprofit leaders of color. Quinci holds a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida A&M University. Her past employment includes the Center for Minority Studies, where she launched her career in capacity building by creating and implementing successful fundraising, human resources, and board development infrastructures for the upstart organization and Fair Chance where she successfully led outreach and capacity building efforts in Washington, DC’s Wards 5 and 6. Quinci is also the founder of the Women Achieving Visionary Excellence Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund for African American girls from Washington, DC.

Porsha joined The Fishing School in May of 2015 and brings to TFS a broad set of experiences from her time teaching abroad, in high risk areas, and with adjudicated youth and adult learners. With over a decade of classroom experience, she has had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students and student needs, and she is passionate about continuing to strive to improve outcomes for students from underserved and underrepresented communities. In her program management work, Porsha has designed, coordinated, and implemented more than a dozen co-curricular and experiential learning programs, using institutional data and engaging student advocates. Porsha holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and Masters degrees from Columbia University Teacher’s College (Applied Linguistics) and Mercy College (Urban Education).

Isiejah joined TFS in January of 2017.  His professional experience includes designing and implementing fundraising campaigns, donor attraction and cultivation, and web content creation and management. Previously he served as Development and Marketing Associate at Southeast Ministry, where he managed an operational budget of over $500k, increased the organization’s revenue over $100k in his first fiscal year employed, and increased the organization’s visibility.  Isiejah is passionate about health and wellness, education, and youth empowerment.  Isiejah received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies from Fordham University. At Fordham, Isiejah participated in Varsity Football, and was a member of the Black Student Union.

Marinda joined TFS in November of 2016.  Her professional experience includes Child Care and After School Programs. Previously she served as a Child Care Associate at The Boys & Girls Club, where she implemented activities that were designed to enhance the participant’s knowledge of healthy living and academic success. Marinda has also served as a Child Care Assistant at HB Child Care and a Front Desk Assistant for the office of Student Involvement and Residential Housing at Washington State University. Marinda is passionate about providing her services to enhance and encourage the lives of those who need assistance the most. Marinda received her Bachelors in Sociology from Washington State University. At WSU, Marinda participated in clubs such as Black Student Union, Black Women’s Caucus, God’s Harmony Gospel Choir and the annual VIBES Conference.

Khadidjath joined TFS in April of 2017. Her professional experience includes interpreting English to French and French to English during court proceedings. Khadidjath is actively involved with the Arlington Food Assistance Center and Upstander Advocates, where she volunteers to help prevent bullying in schools. Khadidjath is also passionate about traveling to developing countries and doing humanitarian work. Khadidjath received her Bachelors of Science degree in Public Health from George Mason University. At George Mason, Khadidjath participated in UNICEF, the African Student Association, and the AFJROTC as a board member and student Commandant.

Lisa joined TFS as a grant writer in June of 2016. She practiced law for years, first with Thompson Hine LLP, and then, in-house, as Associate General Counsel for Booz Allen Hamilton. An advocate for providing underserved youth with a range of opportunities, Lisa has served as a Big Sister/DC and is involved with Washington School for Girls, in Southeast DC, helping to develop a specialized reading program and organizing annual learn-to-ski/snow tubing trips for students. Lisa is also a ski instructor at Liberty Mountain Resort on winter weekends and is a volunteer EMT-B with Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue. She received her BA with honors from Boston College and her JD from Catholic University, Columbus School of Law.

Alexis joined TFS in May of 2016. Her professional experience includes organizing community service/outreach projects and mentoring youth. Previously, she served as an Assistant at the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Center at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she was responsible for facilitating workshops on substance abuse prevention, sex education, and other public health concerns relating to college students. Alexis has also worked as a Paraprofessional at St. Coletta of Greater Washington where she provided continuous behavior support to students with autism and other developmental disabilities. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Manager at her church and is pursuing certifications to become a doula and childbirth educator. Alexis earned her B.S. in Behavior Rehabilitation from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2012. At UMES, Alexis was an active member of many student organizations and received the Office of Student Activities’ “Excellence in Leadership” awards in both 2011 and 2012 for her work as Co-founder and President of Rhythm and Reason, a student organization which provides a platform for student artist to collaborate and showcase their talents.

Lauren joined TFS in December of 2016. Her professional experience includes a high level of classroom and management experience. Previously, she has served as Assistant Director at Huntington Learning Center, where she managed the day to day operations, maximized center revenue, and ensured that quality instruction and service was being delivered by the part-time staff. Lauren has also served as a Math Special Education Teacher at DCPS, and an Intervention Specialist at Education Alternatives. Lauren is actively involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and is dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that target the African American community. Lauren received her Bachelors in Special Education from Bowling Green State University.

Michelle joined The Fishing School in November 2016. Her professional experience includes recruiting, corporate training, compliance, and business-to-business development. Previously, she has served as the Community Outreach Specialist for the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, where she worked with education, military, and community organizations to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between their offices and her organization. Michelle is actively involved with Spirit of Faith Christian Center as the Curriculum Team Lead of their teen girls’ Mentoring Program, Queens in Transition. There she has the opportunity to help other young women develop positive life skills that will serve them into their adulthood. Michelle attended Villanova University from 6/1988-5/1992 and studied French and Liberal Arts Studies with a Minor in Communications. Michelle is excited to contribute her areas of expertise to the mission of The Fishing School and learn more about the intricacies of the nonprofit industry.

Stan joined The Fishing School in June 2017. His professional experience includes working with Family Health Options Kenya – Nairobi as a Youth Advocate and Assistant Youth Project Manager. Stan is actively involved in the Community Aid and Small Enterprises as a Volunteer and is passionate about the world of Human Development, specifically in helping marginalized children in impoverished areas. During his time at Community Aid and Small Enterprises, he received a $10,000 grant from the International Planned Parenthood Federation to help marginalized children in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi. Stan has also served as a volunteer at the Rotary Club of Arusha, Tanzania. Stan received a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Catholic University of Eastern Africa and an Undergraduate degree in Exercise Sport Science from the University of The Cumberlands. At the University of The Cumberlands, Stan participated in the International Students Committee and played varsity soccer.

Anyae Joined TFS in August of 2016. Her professional experience includes working with youth in Wards 7 and 8 to prevent Teen Pregnancy and increase how involved the youth are in civic engagement. Previously she has served as the Site Director at Kid Power Inc., where she increased attendance and participants’ reading levels. Anyae also served as a full time facilitator for Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program and Group Leader for The Carrera Teen Pregnancy Prevention program. Anyae is actively involved with mentoring youth she comes into contact with on a daily basis and is passionate about the Balanced and Restorative justice framework for Juveniles. Anyae is currently a student at the University of Maryland in College Park pursuing a degree in Sociology.

Smriti joined TFS in March of 2014. She launched her career in development nearly four years ago. She most recently served as Database Assistant in the development department at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN. In addition, she previously served as Development Assistant for the Minnesota 4-H Foundation in Minneapolis. Smriti is a 2009 honors graduate of Randolph College with a BA in Economics, Sociology/Anthropology. She also is a 2012 graduate of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota where she earned a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in International Development.