Aisha Nyandoro, Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Stripp is the Program Director of Socioeconomic Well-Being at Springboard to Opportunities, where she oversees resident-driven programs and services. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she provides strategic vision and leadership, helping families achieve their goals. Since joining Springboard in 2016, Sarah has expanded initiatives like The Magnolia Mother’s Trust and Children’s Savings Accounts, and advanced policy, advocacy, and narrative change work. A graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellowship and Aspen Institute’s Workforce Leadership Academy, she collaborates with partners to center community voices and build diverse coalitions.

As a skilled policy strategist and nonprofit leader, Paheadra is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through legislative advocacy, financial education, and leadership development. Currently serving as Senior Policy Consultant for the Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative, Paheadra drives policy agendas on healthcare access and voter protection. She also works with the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable and Springboard to Opportunities to develop leadership programs for youth and women. As Executive Director of the Mississippi Community Financial Access Coalition, Paheadra oversees financial education initiatives in the Mississippi Delta, fostering economic growth. She also consults with Acclivity Strategies and teaches with the North Central Planning and Development District.

Parthenia Fields is the Manager of Community Programs & Navigation at Springboard to Opportunities. With over ten years of experience serving low-income families and 20 years in education, she specializes in building community relationships and partnerships essential to Springboard’s mission. Since joining in 2014, she has provided on-the-ground services, cultivated partnerships, and developed impactful programs. Now, as a member of the executive leadership team, she leads Community Specialists in empowering families to drive change. Parthenia holds a B.A. and Master of Arts in Teaching from Jackson State University and is the proud mother of one dynamic son.

Latasha Davis grew up in a military family, traveling globally before settling in Mobile, Alabama. She holds a B.A. in Business from Faulkner University and an M.A. in Human Resources and Health Administration from Trident University International. With over 20 years of experience in community service and government, Latasha helps others express themselves through dance. Her passion for helping others stems from her own challenges and growth. Latasha believes that personal growth creates a ripple effect that impacts others and the world. Her motto: “People are my passion, and purpose is the goal.”

Ineshia Coleman is the Senior Community Specialist for Springboard To Opportunities and a native of Fayette, Mississippi. She earned a Sociology degree from Tougaloo College, where she developed a passion for mentorship and conducted biological research at institutions like Brown University and Alcorn State. Ineshia also holds a Master’s in Public Health from Jackson State University, where she interned at the Mississippi Department of Health. Focused on community development, she seeks to build strategic partnerships and improve resident outcomes. A self-described introvert, she prioritizes mental health, enjoys family time and bargain shopping, and believes in being “selfish to be selfless.”

JaQuana Ellis, a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, holds an Associate’s in Paralegal Studies, a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University. With over ten years of experience in local government, she believes public administration plays a key role in improving communities’ socioeconomic conditions. JaQuana has traveled for conferences and training, including in Puerto Rico, focusing on community and economic development. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. Her favorite quote is by John Wooden: “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

Natasha Gilbert is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. Her educational background consists of a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies from Mississippi State University and a Master’s in Public Health from Jackson State University. Natasha has over eight years of experience in mental health and two years in positive youth development. She is passionate about promoting individual empowerment by providing services to the community, connecting them to resources, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Her favorite quote is by Mahatma Gandhi: “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”

Takyra Moore is a passionate advocate for social justice. Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, she earned a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies from Georgetown University. Takyra’s education catalyzed her activism, focusing on equitable opportunities and amplifying underrepresented communities. Her journey, shaped by personal experiences and systemic inequities, fuels her commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and challenging injustice. With a blend of academic rigor and lived experience, Takyra is dedicated to promoting empowerment, driving positive social change, and striving to build a more just and equitable society.

Sara brings over six years of experience in administration to her role as the Special Assistant to the CEO, supporting Springboard and the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice. Born and raised in Flora, Mississippi, Sara now lives in Brandon with her husband and two daughters and is pursuing an associate’s degree at Holmes Community College. Her passion for organization stems from growing up in a large family with a single mother. In her spare time, she enjoys developing gluten-free baking recipes and traveling with her energetic family.

Tre’Mya is a native of the Mississippi Delta and enjoys connecting people to the resources that are available to them. She chose the social work field because it is her passion, and she wants to be a voice and an advocate for populations who feel like their voices are not heard. Her goal is to assist as many people as possible so that they can reach their goals and thrive within their community.

Alexandria Williams, originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, has a deep passion for political science, holding a bachelor’s degree and currently pursuing a master’s degree in the field from Jackson State University. Her positive experience at Jackson State and Jackson, Mississippi, has fueled her desire to help others through the field of policy and advocacy. Alexandria is enthusiastic about joining Springboard to Opportunities, where she looks forward to contributing to the organization’s mission of empowering communities through resident-driven initiatives and transformative community impact.