Uprooted Academy Welcomes New Board of Directors and Expands Advisory Leadership to Power Bold Vision for Post-Secondary Equity

April 2025 – Uprooted Academy is thrilled to announce the appointment of three powerhouse leaders to its Board of Directors, joining at a pivotal moment as the organization deepens its national footprint for under-resourced students in navigating post-secondary planning to achieve more and stress less.

These new board members bring decades of experience across technology, education, mental health, and social impact, and their lived experiences reflect the students Uprooted Academy was built to serve. They will join a robust and growing Advisory Board of cross-industry leaders in education, entertainment, tech, and college admissions who are committed to expanding access and equity for the next generation.

“We didn’t build Uprooted Academy to fit into broken systems—we built it to transform them,” said Tiffany Green, Founder and Executive Director. “The leaders joining us now don’t just get our mission. They’ve lived it. Their insight and commitment will fuel our next chapter—and I couldn’t be more excited to walk forward with them.”

Meet Our 2025-2027 Board of Directors

Green states, “I appointed this group of changemakers because they understand the stakes. They know what it means to be underestimated, and they’re relentless about helping our students reimagine what’s possible.”

Joining me on the Board of Directors are:

• Shana Cooper-Silas, Founder of G3MS Technology

• Dr. Mary Jo Madda, Senior Program Manager at Google

• Dr. Isaiah Pickens, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of iOpening Enterprises

  
  

“We were intentional about who we invited to join our Board,” Green shared. “Each of these individuals not only represents excellence in their field, but they also carry a deep personal connection to our mission. They know what it means to be uprooted—and they’re helping us build the support system we all needed back then.”

Strengthening Our Advisory Leadership

Uprooted Academy is also excited to highlight the incredible cross-sector leaders serving on its Advisory Board. These advisors play an integral role in shaping strategy, student engagement, and platform innovation:

• Stephanie Mejia – NBA Agent, WME Agency

• Daisy Ogunedo – Sr. Associate Director of Admission, Smith College

• Yvonne Orji – President, In & Through; acclaimed actress, writer, and speaker

• Ronald Pierce – Agile Product Owner, Travelers

• William Ruiz – Product Manager, JPMorgan Chase

• Danny Tejada – Founder, We Go To College LLC

• Aba Udofa – Sr. Technical Manager, NVIDIA

  
  

These advisors serve as sounding boards and collaborators across strategy, student engagement, and platform design. Advisory Board Member Yvonne Orji captured the heart of their shared mission simply: “Helping as many college bound kids fulfill their dreams in a healthy, less-stressed manner.”

Honoring Those Who Paved the Way

We also extend deep gratitude to our former board members who helped shape the foundation of Uprooted Academy:

• Dr. Chris Catchings, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 

• Tameeka Cribs, Marketing Strategist, Discover

• Dr. William Johnson, Director of Educational Strategy, The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund 

• Felecia Edwards-Smith, Founding Executive Director, TRIO/Future Forward CT

• Kia Williams, Executive Director, Braven 

  
  

Their leadership, dedication, and early belief in our vision helped Uprooted Academy grow into the national movement it is today.

These new board members bring more than professional expertise—they bring a shared commitment to reimagining what's possible for students who’ve long been underestimated. Their leadership will help power Uprooted Academy’s next chapter of impact and innovation.

About Uprooted Academy

Uprooted Academy is a tech-nonprofit on a mission to radically change the way historically under-resourced students experience post-secondary planning. They offer AI-Powered advising to help every high school student find their best fit. By partnering with school districts, organizations, counselors and advisors, they are creating a future where support isn't just available—it's expected.

To learn more about our work, visit www.uprootedacademy.org or contact the Uprooted Academy team at admin@uprootedacademy.org.