BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kindall A. Stevenson is a high school educator who is a career switcher from 7 years of working in non-profit marketing and communications. During that time she was named one of the “Great Nonprofit Bosses in RVA” by YNPN and ConnectVA. Her previous work experience includes working in homeless services, foster care, and nonprofit education. Her work with these organizations included PR and marketing to educate the community on these underserved groups and the respective organizations’ missions to strengthen the community through wrap-around services, which uplift those in crisis.

 For the past 6 years, she has served as a high school educator and has taught in various subject areas such as English and marketing. She has been a coach in the community for the past 8 years leading teams in the sports of: soccer, tennis, futsal, step, and special needs cheerleading. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Longwood University in 2013 and went on to earn a master’s degree in liberal arts (with a concentration in marketing and communication) from the University of Richmond in 2016. In 2018, she completed a master’s degree in education (focused on higher ed. administration) and decided to return to the University of Richmond to earn a master’s degree in nonprofit management. Her previous board experience includes years of service to Children Incorporated and The READ Center, both located in Richmond, VA. She is also still the primary coordinator for the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals annual conference for middle and high school administrators throughout the state.  

Mr. Matthew Brown is a Northern Virginia native with a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in Project Management from Virginia State University. Early in his career, he committed much of his time to volunteering with children and senior citizens, a passion that continues to shape his work today. Currently, Matthew serves as a Public Speaker and Consultant specializing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). He leads cultural transformation initiatives for corporations and non-profits throughout Virginia, helping organizations foster inclusive environments and drive meaningful change.

Dr. Elizabeth Marsh Vantre, a native of Montclair, New Jersey, earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1994. Early in her career, she spent time in Alexandria, Virginia, working with a suspension intervention program designed to provide students with counseling, conflict resolution skills, and team-building opportunities during their suspension period.This initiative aimed to reduce repeat suspensions by fostering positive behavior in a small group setting.

Dr. Vantre went on to earn her doctoral degree in School Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia in 2000. During her studies, she served as a behavior specialist and mobile therapist for Children’s Outreach in Philadelphia. Dr. Vantre is passionate about supporting and including students with disabilities. Her dissertation focused on the development of The Marsh Inclusion Scale, a tool designed to assess the effectiveness of inclusion programs for students with disabilities, based on best practices in the field.

Following her internship in Philadelphia, Dr. Vantre worked as a school psychologist for the Chadds Ford School District for three years. In 2004, after relocating to Richmond, Virginia, she joined Henrico County Public Schools as a school psychologist. In 2013, she co-authored the book Ready, Set, Parent: Dr. Mom’s Guide for Parenting and was invited to speak at several preschool programs in the Richmond area. She served as a contributing writer for Richmond Moms and Soccer Parenting Websites 2013-2016. Dr. Vantre also spent nine years providing evaluations for The Steward School’s admissions office before joining TALK, LC, in 2019 as Director of School Psychologists.

In recent years, she has served as both director for TALK, LC and as a contracted school psychologist for Hopewell City Public Schools, Culpeper County Public Schools, and Nottoway County Public Schools. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Vantre enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. Over the past 12 years, she has been actively involved in her children's charity, Just Drew It, which collects and distributes school supplies to local schools in need within the Richmond metro area. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and watching college football.

Senior Master Sergeant Lakia S. Hamlin is the Aviation Resource Management Wing Functional Manager, 1st Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. She is the enlisted advisor to the Squadron Commander. Sergeant Hamlin leads 210 enlisted and commissioned officers in personal and professional development. She also serves as the Aviation Management expert for all aviators assigned and attached to the 1st Fighter Wing. She implements Air Combat Command's aviation policies and oversees the wing's $3M flying hour program.

Senior Master Sergeant Hamlin entered the Air Force in Norfolk, Virginia in October, 2008 as a fresh graduate out of Booker T. Washington High School. Her background includes various assignments in Squadron and Host Aviation Resource Management as well as Chief, Host Aviation Resource Management. She has served at bases in California, South Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana. She has worked with multiple airframes to include B-1s, C-17s, F-22s, and B-52s in three different major commands. Senior Master Sergeant Hamlin has deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. She dedicates her time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children and a Sexual Assault Prevention Responder for Active Duty members and their dependents. Additionally, Senior Hamlin is a Suicide Prevention Training Facilitator 300-400 military members per year.

Officer Stephens is a law enforcement officer in the Central Virginia region, where she has served as law enforcement officer since January of 2019.

Officer Stephens is a first generation college graduate originally from Kingston, Jamaica. Officer Stephens has a B.A. in Political Science with a pre-law concentration and a Spanish minor from Longwood University. During her time at Longwood, she volunteered her time to teach English to deportees at the Farmville Detention Center and was a Spanish tutor for the University. She was also a member of the Student Government Association as the chairperson for Student Diversity and Inclusion. 

Since becoming a law enforcement officer, she has gained a passion for matters of domestic partner violence, sexual violence, and crimes against children. Officer Stephens has worked closely with advocates and community resources to help provide support to victims of domestic and sexual violence. In 2024, Officer Stephens was nominated for the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force’s 6th Annual Outstanding Service Award, for those who have displayed exemplary efforts in addressing domestic violence.

Ms. Zoe McLaughlin earned her Master’s degree in Humanitarian Action and Public Policy of Law, along with certifications in FEMA management and Red Cross Humanitarian Aid at Liberty University. Ms. McLaughlin have dedicated her career to serving communities in need.

Ms. McLaughlin graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, with a focus on Correctional Community Rehabilitative Services from Old Dominion University. During her undergraduate years, she served as the Vice President of Community Engagement for three years, leading initiatives that fostered civic participation and volunteerism. She was also recognized as “community-driven,” a title that reflects her lifelong commitment to making a difference.

Ms. McLaughlin's dedication to community impact was recognized when she received an award for her Unity Block Party initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative brought people together in a time of isolation, fostering unity and support within the community. Currently, she work as an alternative middle school teacher in Hopewell, Virginia, teaching 6th through 8th grade.