Board Chair

Natalie R. Williams, MPA, is the Founder and Principal of The CORE Method LLC, an education and workforce innovation consulting firm focused on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce readiness. She is also the author of The CORE Method: Guide to Purpose-Driven Results.

Natalie brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning K–12 education, higher education, workforce development, and executive leadership in the private sector. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Arizona Global Campus and Gwinnett Technical College and previously served as a CTAE Department Chair and Business & Computer Science educator.

Natalie holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Strayer University. She is passionate about helping learners discover their strengths, prepare for future opportunities, and reach their full potential. As a member of the Gwinnett County community, she is honored to support Meliora’s mission of preparing students for success in college, career, and life.

Vice Chair

Matthew Smith is the Director of Policy and Research at the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE). Matt leads EdQuest Georgia, a statewide initiative that promotes educational opportunity and economic mobility through the implementation of research-based strategies. His work bridges the gap between policy and practice by spotlighting what investments yield the greatest impact for children, families, and communities. As an unabashed policy nerd, Matt excels in several areas of school operations, including program evaluation, risk management and compliance, and finance and budgeting. Matt studied history at the University of Georgia and education policy at Vanderbilt University.

Treasurer

Lydia Hollon is the Senior Associate Director of Research & Policy at Waypoint Education Partners, where she helps states, school systems, and nonprofits design family-centered tools, conduct family and student-oriented research, and craft communications that make student learning clearer and more actionable. Her recent work includes partnering with organizations such as Learning Heroes, National PTA, Charter School Growth Fund, and state education agencies such as Virginia Department of Education to improve how families understand academic progress, school quality, and student well-being. In addition to her consulting work, Lydia serves as a senior college advisor, supporting high school students across the country as they navigate selective admissions, financial aid, and the transition to college and career. She began her career as a classroom teacher in elementary and high school settings, an experience that grounds her belief that every policy and innovation must make sense to the students and families it is meant to serve. Lydia also serves on the board of Free to Be Collective, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on literacy, community, and belonging for Black women. She holds a B.A. in Politics from New York University and an M.A. in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Lydia lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and daughter (as well as a dog and two cats that she considers her bonus kids) and is passionate about mastery-based learning, college and career readiness, and meaningful family engagement that extends beyond the bell.

Secretary

Laila Hooda is the founder of Vision Beyond Horizons and author of Teaching with Intention, a book that empowers educators to lead with clarity, equity, and purpose. She brings together an MBA in HR, dual master’s degrees in Teaching and Education from UCL-IOE, and certifications from Emory University to blend academic rigor with visionary practice. Her career spans Pakistan, the UAE, Australia, Uganda and the U.S., where she has led restructuring initiatives, mentored educators, and advised nonprofits on organizational change. Known for translating abstract principles into actionable strategies, Laila seeks to inspire clarity and purpose in education and leadership.

Board Member at Large

Auvronette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and a Master of Science degree in Post-Secondary Education and Psychology from Troy University. Auvronette has served in leadership roles for over 20 years as an Executive Director. Auvronette has also served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Troy University, teaching Psychology, and was the owner of Angelica’s Attic, a certified family intervention program in Rockdale County, where she served individuals and families in crisis for over 20 years. She is a trained Christian Counselor through the American Association of Christian Counselors Program and a trained mediator with the state of Georgia. She currently serves in leadership with an organization that assists people who are experiencing homelessness.  

Board Member at Large

Dr. Jeremy Brown serves as an Associate Director at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). He helps executive leaders advance technology solutions and strategies to address problems in national security, education, and Georgia. Before joining GTRI, Jeremy was the Director of Leadership Development at the Southern Education Foundation (SEF), helping to create new leadership development programs and fellowships spanning the education continuum.

Before his time at SEF, he also served as a Program Director at Georgia Tech’s DEI office, where he developed programs, curricula, events, and numerous partnerships. He has also taught many academic courses within Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, he has worked in various areas, including DEI, Education Policy, Human Resources, Residence Life, and Faculty. His primary research focuses on faculty and staff sense of belonging, psychological safety, and student achievement and persistence factors in STEM.

Board Member at Large

Yolanda Robinson is an active and forward-thinking educator who brings hands-on expertise, specialized academic training, and a deep commitment to educational advocacy to her work. Over her career in public school education, she has served as a special education teacher in Gwinnett County, supporting students across a wide range of foundational elementary grades. Her deep background in interrelated resource (IRR) models and co-teaching environments fuels her passion for creating inclusive, high-quality learning spaces where every student can thrive with the right support and equitable opportunities.

​In addition to her classroom leadership, Yolanda is a devoted champion for youth development and community service, actively serving as a Girl Scout troop leader to help young girls build confidence, character, and leadership skills.

​Yolanda holds a B.S. in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Sociology from the New York Institute of Technology, as well as an M.S. in Human Services & Multidisciplinary Studies with a post-graduate certificate in Addictive Behavior from Capella University. She brings this strong foundation in human behavior and educational advocacy, along with a collaborative spirit, to her leadership roles and community service.

Board Member at Large

Kerbrina Jean-Charles is a Commercial Banking Analyst at Wells Fargo, a Young Alumni Ambassador for the University of Central Florida, and now a member of the Meliora School Board. Passionate about expanding opportunity through education and mentorship, she is dedicated to helping students realize their potential.

Board Member at Large

Bryce Grandison is a relationship-driven professional who is passionate about helping people grow, solve problems, and achieve meaningful goals.

Throughout his career, he has been guided by a simple philosophy: get a little better every day. That mindset has shaped both his personal and professional life and is one of the reasons he is so excited about the opportunity to serve the learners, families, and broader community of The Meliora School.

The Meliora School's commitment to continuous growth closely reflects Bryce's own approach to life. Hebelieves lasting success is built through curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to learn.

He is passionate about supporting an environment where students are encouraged to discover their potential while families feel seen, valued, and connected.

Professionally, Bryce brings experience spanning leadership, business operations, commercial and residential real estate. He previously managed more than $150 million in multifamily assets for a leading Los Angeles investment firm and earned a Master of Science in Real Estate from Chapman University. Those experiences strengthened his strategic thinking, financial acumen, and ability to make thoughtful, people-centered decisions.

Whether mentoring young athletes, serving clients, or volunteering within the community, Bryce strives to lead with integrity, empathy, and excellence. He would be honored to contribute those same values in service to The Meliora School and its mission of helping every learner become a little better every day.

Board Member at Large

Ken Jones, CFM, is a senior facilities executive with over 15 years of VP level leadership experience managing multi site education facilities portfolios. He has overseen as many as 184 locations across 17 states, totaling up to 2.7 million square feet, with direct responsibility for capital planning, operational budgets, vendor accountability, and the safety of tens of thousands of students and staff.

Most recently, Ken served as Vice President of Facilities and Security at Endeavor Schools, where he built and led a multi tiered facilities organization across 110 locations in 14 states, deployed over $50M in capital programs, and sustained zero major safety incidents across the portfolio. Earlier in his career, he led facilities operations for Otter Learning across 74 locations in 8 states.

Ken holds the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential through the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and served as Board President of IFMA's Academic Facilities Council, a 350 member international body, from 2023 to 2025. He brings a servant leadership philosophy to every organization he serves, with a track record of mentoring rising leaders and building teams that operate with accountability and care.

Ken is the co founder of KIG Property Management & Facilities Consulting, a facilities management firm serving early childhood education operators. He previously served on the board of the Frazer Center from 2020 to 2024.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ken has called Atlanta home for over 30 years. He is the proud father of three daughters. He is honored to bring his experience in facilities leadership, financial accountability, and servant leadership to The Meliora School's Board of Directors.

Board Member at Large

Omy Mair is an educational leader with nearly two decades of experience driving school improvement, developing leaders, and advancing equitable outcomes for students. She currently serves as a Director, where she partners with school leaders to strengthen instructional systems, build leadership capacity, and improve teaching and learning across multiple schools.

Prior to her current role, Omy served as the K–8 Campus Principal of KIPP STRIVE Academy and KIPP STRIVE Primary, leading nearly 1,000 scholars and their staff. Since joining KIPP in 2012 as a founding team member of KIPP STRIVE Primary, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Learning Specialist, Founding Assistant Principal, Director of Operations, and Campus Principal. She began her career in education as a fifth-grade teacher in the Gwinnett County Public School System, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year.

Omy earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Hampton University and her master's degree in Education from Boston College. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about developing exceptional educators and creating systems that ensure every student has access to an outstanding education.

She believes that education should cultivate curiosity, character, innovation, and a lifelong love of learning while preparing young people to lead meaningful lives and make lasting contributions to their communities. Omy is particularly passionate about reimagining education in ways that empower both students and educators to think creatively, solve complex problems, and embrace opportunities for growth. She is excited to bring her experience in educational leadership, governance, strategic thinking, and systems improvement to support The Meliora School's mission and long-term vision.