Board of Directors
Shyla Martinez
Founder & CEO
Kathy Phillips
VP & COO
Board Member Anthony Sowah
Anthony Sowah is a Washington, DC native and technology leader with over 20 years of experience building and supporting digital tools and platforms. He currently serves as Chief Technology ODicer at The Hawthorn Group, and before that worked at AARP in the Web Strategy & Operations division, supporting large-scale web programs and day-to-day digital performance.
Anthony is also the Founder and Executive Director of TechByTech, a youth technology exposure nonprofit delivering project-based cohorts in DC, Maryland, and Accra, Ghana, helping students develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration through hands-on technology-based learning.
Outside of work, Anthony coaches youth basketball and is a proud father of a 21 year old daughter and a son age 16.
Board Member De’Rell Bonner
De’Rell Bonner is a global leader with nearly 15 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar, global corporate social impact, and enterprise initiatives across Fortune 100 companies, including Amazon Web Services and International Business Machines (IBM), as well as the public sector. He brings a customer-centered, culturally relevant approach grounded in emotional intelligence, with a strong track record of driving scalable strategies that deliver measurable impact and align stakeholders.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University, followed by a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies. He previously served as a political appointee in the Obama Administration, where he led national youth engagement strategy for former U.S. Secretaries of Education Arne Duncan and John B. King Jr. and advised the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Earlier in his career, he taught 10th grade Honors English in Prince George’s County Public Schools.
He resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife.
Melodee Henderson
Melodee Henderson is a seasoned legal strategist with nearly two decades of experience advising global technology companies. She specializes in negotiating high-stakes commercial deals and advising product and engineering functions. Growing up in Tacoma, Washington, Melodee’s mother worked tirelessly on community issues which shaped her commitment to service. Melodee has served on the North Carolina Central University Law School Board of Visitors and the United Way of Greater Atlanta Young Professional Leaders Advisory Board. A proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University, she is a firm believer in the power of mentorship and access to ensure young people have the tools and support they need to thrive.
Board Member 
Andrea Seitz
Andrea Seitz is the founder of CREST Collaborative, with 25+ years of Human Resources leadership experience, including 9 years leading global inclusion strategies at Amazon. Her background spans employee relations, certified mediation in the private and public sectors, and deep expertise in conflict management and interpersonal communication. As part of CREST Collaborative, Andrea founded The Resilience Lab to offer tailored 1:1 coaching in personal growth, communication and conflict resolution. Drawing on her Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Master's Degree in Conflict Management, Andrea enables people find clarity, build resilience, and move forward with purpose. She is also the co-founder of GLOW Retreats LLC, where she creates community for women to restore and lift each other. A mom of two young women and married for over 23 years, Andrea brings both professional expertise and lived experience to everything she does.
Board Member 
Board Member Jesse Rhodes Jr.
Jesse Rhodes Jr. is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience at some of the world's largest organizations, including Amazon, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Target, and Walmart. His expertise spans risk management, internal audit, business strategy, and e-commerce, with over 13 years at Big Four firms leading risk assessments, governance strategies, and internal audits across industries including cybersecurity, consumer products, and financial services. Jesse is known for embedding value-based, inclusive leadership principles into corporate cultures and helping organizations identify both risk and opportunity.
Beyond his corporate career, Jesse is deeply committed to community and philanthropic service. He serves as Chair of the Puget Sound Chapter of After-School All-Stars, Chair of the Board of Governors at Columbia Tower Club, and supports Love Orphanage in Haiti through We The Village Organization. He is also involved with UNCF Seattle, helping students access college opportunities.
Jesse holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Management Information Systems. He is a lifetime member and former National Director and Board Treasurer of NABA, Inc., a founding member of DUBAC, and an active leader and mentor in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.