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OUR BOARD MEMBERS

The board members of ACEs Matter constitute the heartbeat of the organization. They are dedicated to leading an organization that provides culturally specific education geared toward healing the mind, body, and soul for those living in under-resourced communities.
They each bring a diverse set of skills, expertise, and experience from sectors such as government, nonprofit, mental health, and private practice. By leveraging our expertise and networks, our board will be able to transform the way generations view childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. We appreciate each one of them and we love them and their great service. 

Cendie Stanford

Board President
Chief Visionary Officer (FL)​

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Cendie Stanford is a “Triple Eagle” scholar, becoming a first-generation college graduate to earn two Masters Degrees, one BA Degree, and a business certificate from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. 

A Texas native & former public-school educator, she is extremely passionate about Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) education and trauma awareness. 

Cendie’s Stanford has lived experiences with childhood adversities, most of which were experienced in zip code 79403. Unaware that her childhood adversities played a role in how she responded to stressors in her career as an educator, relationships, and even parenting, she sought out the why. 

Two decades of experience working in the public education sector, Cendie traded in her classroom keys in order to secure a business license to spread the message of ACEs in corners of the world that needed to hear it most. 

Living with the consequences of childhood wounds for over four decades, Cendie took a leap of faith to start ACEs Matter as a not-for-profit organization because she believed everyone deserved access to this science.  

Cendie says, “Seeing adults who are struggling due to the templates from their childhood and seeing children being reared in similar environments motivate her to work harder at this vision for ACEs Matter.”  

Since 2021, Cendie has made several public appearances discussing the impacts of ACEs as a lived experience survivor in underserved and professional communities. 

Her long-term goals include empowering Title 1 schools and communities with research backed practices that aid in nurturing the neurons of students, parents, and educators that have been affected by adverse childhood experiences. 

Cendie serves as a mentor for youth and rising education entrepreneurs. She has also conducted more than 10,000 hours of professional development training and over 150 hours of online interviews.

Balaji Venkatachalam

Board Director 
Strategy and Business Intelligence (TX)​​

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With over 15 years of experience in operations, strategy and business intelligence, I help organizations operate effectively, solve challenges and drive business growth. 

My core competencies include building and managing high-performing teams, developing and implementing business operating models, leading transformational change initiatives, and creating and executing winning strategies. I have a wide range of industry experience across the TMT sector, covering operational system design, value stream mapping, product launch and standing up functional capabilities.

​I graduated in the top 5% of my class from Cox MBA and hold PMP and CSM certifications. I am passionate about leveraging data and white boards to create value and impact.

Nickole Williams

Board Director  
Credit Counselor & Real Estate (TX)​

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Co-Owner at Global REI LLC / Global Credit Recovery / Real Estate Investor & Developer

Nickole is an experienced Co-Founder with a proven history in the real estate industry. She is skilled in Negotiation, Operations, Sales, Credit Finance, and Real Estate Investing. With over 20 years in the job placement industry, she is certified in Employment Services and has served as a liaison for reentry programs.

Since 2017, Nickole has helped over 200 families improve their financial health through credit education, enabling them to become homeowners and pass valuable financial knowledge to their children.

Nickole is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs from the University of Phoenix.

Gregory King​

​Board Secretary
Corporate Compliance Auditor (VA)

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Gregory King is an accomplished executive leader with over 15 years of expertise in Corporate Compliance, Ethics, Privacy, Quality, and Internal Audit, working across both non-profit and for-profit health systems, including hospitals, behavioral health, and health plans. Known for fostering transparent and collaborative solutions, Gregory excels at building strong relationships with Boards and stakeholders. His drive to address mental health care gaps inspired him to found Sanguine Behavioral Health, focused on reducing mental health care deserts in the U.S. Gregory holds an MBA from the University of Redlands and is certified in healthcare compliance by the Healthcare Compliance Association. He is also pursuing fellowship status with the American College of Healthcare Executives, demonstrating his commitment to continuous growth. Outside of work, Gregory enjoys spending time with his family, writing music and screenplays, hiking, traveling, staying active, reading, and advocating for neurodivergent individuals.

Katherine Workman 

​​Board Director
Mindset Magician (FL)

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I’m an author, motivational speaker and “Mindset Magician” known for my teachings and lectures. I specialize in spirituality, dream interpretations, future predictions, birth chart analysis, and the 12 Laws of Nature to overcome obstacles and achieve significant goals. I share ideas that create futuristic, innovative technology to help align with the 12 Laws of Nature. 

Beauty Brains Billionaire powered by Katherine Workman is a community designed to help individuals begin and complete their spiritual journey, focusing on self-care, mindset shifts, and generational wealth. 

Since 2018, I have assisted over 10,000 clients in overcoming various obstacles with a 96% success rate. I have conducted more than 1,000 case studies across multiple industries, including beauty, entertainment, law enforcement, coaching, psychic, and fashion. My multidisciplinary approach has earned the trust of millions and enabled me to build a network valued at over $4 billion.

We are currently accepting donations, bookings for speaking and lecturing, new members, and partnerships with book and periodical publishing companies as well as computer and electronic manufacturing companies.

Seth Halperin

​​Board Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant (FL)

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Seth Halperin has been practicing public accounting since 2012 and previously spent the first 10+ years of his career at one of the world’s largest international CPA firms, as well as spent time at one of the top 25 national firms.  Seth has extensive experience in performing audits and reviews in a range of industries and for entities with revenues in excess of $2 billion, including both privately held and publicly traded businesses.

​Seth’s industry experience includes homeowner and condominium associations, non-profit, labor, manufacturing, and distribution entities, professional services entities, and software and technology companies. Seth has a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Florida. 

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ADVISORY & COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Kai Dupe, EdD

Diversity Inclusion Advocate
Spirituality Committee Member

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Kai Dupe is an international advocate for tech diversity and digital literacy. As a technical trainer and software development engineer with over 30 years of experience in the information technology industry, he has dedicated his life to helping underrepresented communities reach their full potential.

Kai is an expert in cloud computing and software development. He has trained thousands of people all over the world on software development and cloud computing. Kai earned his doctorate in educational technology from Pepperdine University where his research study Coding While Black focused on the lack of African American software development engineers in the tech industry.

Dr. Dupe is an advocate for technology integration in urban schools and is dedicated to encouraging African Americans to participate in the digital society via workshops, seminars, and speaking engagements.

Safiya Omosanya, OTR/L​

Self-Empowerment Coach
Connection Committee Member

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​Safiya Omosanya OTR/L Licensed Occupational Therapist for 23 years, Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner for the past 10 years. 

She has impacted thousands through her continuing education seminars for Health Care Professionals, community workshops, and individual sessions. 

Safiya currently works for a company called Ableto as a Behavior Coach teaching Mind, Body Healing Techniques to clients with Anxiety, Depression, and Chronic Pain.

Safiya recently Tapped into her Life’s Purpose which is to help women stop self abandoning, come back home to themselves, reclaim their sovereignty and power and express their truest most authentic self in the world.

Tricia Steege, M.Ed

Organizational Growth and Change 
Board Advisory Member thru 10/2024

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Tricia Steege is a well-respected senior organizational development practitioner and consultant. Coupling her extensive work around the globe in the Technology, Financial, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare and Publishing and Non-Profit sectors with her undergraduate, graduate and continuing educational studies about living systems, Tricia distinguishes herself as an astute change management strategist serving large and small, multinational and domestic businesses.
 
Known for her ability to strategically understand the inner workings of businesses, quickly diagnose gaps and guide towards impactful solutions, Tricia is frequently sought after to help leaders with complex transitions. ​
 
Tricia brings over 30 years of practical business experience to her work and has held several key leadership roles within organizations and professional associations.
 
Holding certifications in Organizational Development, Change Learning Styles, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and DISC Profile, she has taught in the continuing education program of Penn State University Great Valley and Temple University.
 
​Tricia has been published in several professional journals and reference books. She has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences for including the Association for Change Management Professionals (ACMP), the Project Management Institute (PMI), the American Society Training and Development (ASTD) and Meeting Planning International (MPI).​  Tricia’s firm, Transformation Strategies, was named a Top Ten Change Management company in 2021 by HR Magazine.
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Tiffany West

​Emotional Care Coach
Connection Committee Member

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Tiffany West is the proud Owner & CEO of Interior Health Design LLC, an inner wellness Life Coaching company that promotes healthy living and soul-based healing from the inside out. She is an Emotional Care Coach who specializes in helping women overcome anxiety and self doubt. With her unique approach, she helps them navigate through difficult emotions with ease so they feel less overwhelmed and experience more peace and resilience in times of high-stress.

Jessie Graham, M.S.

​Certified Master Coach
Connection Committee Member

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Jessie is a Certified Master Coach who has been studying and practicing Speech Language Pathology with a Master’s Degree in Communication Science and Disorders, since 1991. She believes that effective communication and healthy relationships are the keys to happiness and a fulfilled and purposeful life. By undertaking and understanding her own self-empowerment process, she supports others through their transformational journey. Her practice in Speech Pathology working with children and families has helped her to understand that people’s lives change when they choose to.

Jessie chose to focus her career on inspiring and empowering others to explore their potential for change and focus their actions toward success.  

Jessie has experience working in the fields of Mental Health, Early Childhood Care and Education, Public Education as well as with Individuals who want to explore their personal creative expression.

She lives in Maine, near her daughter and family and enjoys exploring, gardening, reading and writing.  

Michael Stegall 

Board Advisory
ER For Traumatized Children

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​Michael is the founder of E. R. for Traumatized Children (E.R. stands for Emotional Rehabilitation). Currently a resident of Tupelo, Mississippi, Michael spends his time working with adolescent boys in a youth home. Michael has  also served a pastor and co-pastor for a Baptist church congregation.

Michael says that if we equip caregivers with the knowledge of how to develop a healing relationship with traumatized children, their traumatic experiences will not follow them for a lifetime.

Michael has a passion for working with children from adverse backgrounds because he believes that it only takes one mentally healthy adult to help steer a child on the right path. 

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