Staff

Sarah Stripp is the Director of Socioeconomic Well-Being at Springboard to Opportunities, where she leads the organization’s cash-based initiatives and socioeconomic policy priorities. With more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she provides strategic direction and leadership, supporting families in reaching their goals. Since joining Springboard in 2016, Sarah has played a key role in launching initiatives such as The Magnolia Mother’s Trust and Springboard’s Emergency Cash Disbursements programs, while advancing the organization’s policy advocacy and narrative change efforts. A graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellowship and the Aspen Institute’s Workforce Leadership Academy, Sarah is dedicated to centering community voices and building diverse coalitions to drive meaningful change.

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.”