Beyond Supervision: What Out-of-School Time Can Become for Young People

Presenter:
Dr. Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies
Founder-Chief Empowerment Officer
Connect to Greatness, Inc.
1530 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. #3525
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
561-502-0504
c2ginc561@gmail.com

Dr. Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies is the founder of Connect to Greatness, a community-based youth development organization focused on mentoring, leadership development and creating spaces of belonging for young people. With more than 25 years of experience in education, youth development and professional learning, she has partnered with schools, districts and community organizations to design and implement high-impact out-of-school time experiences. Her work centers youth voice, adult learning and sustainable practices that support long-term youth success.

Co-Presenter:
Andre Thaddies
Executive Director
Connect to Greatness, Inc.
561-503-8455

https://connect2greatness.org/

Born and raised in Delray Beach, FL, Andre Thaddies is the oldest of three children and assumed leadership responsibilities early while supporting his family. A multi-sport athlete in football, baseball and track, Andre balanced athletics with strong academic expectations, participating in spelling bees, math teams and African American History competitions. He served as Junior Class President and as a member of the Student Council Governing Board. Thaddies earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Minnesota, competing in football and track, and completed a B.A. in Sociology of Law and Deviance with a minor in African American Studies. He has more than 30 years of experience working with youth and families across public schools, social services, law enforcement and coaching. Thaddies  is the executive director and co-founder of Connect to Greatness, Inc., leading mentoring and leadership development programs that support Black boys and their families.

Do More with Mizzen Education - Exploring Mizzen for Teams (a 100% free resource!)

Presenter:
Carlos Santini
CEO
Mizzen Education
13157 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, California 90292
310-906-8657
carlos@mizzen.org

Carlos Santini, Mizzen's CEO, is on a mission to enhance the quality of out-of-school time programs for young minds. With a passion for youth development dating back to his days at the University of California, Los Angeles, Santini has been a driving force in the field since 2002. Through collaborations with school districts, foundations, corporations and community leaders, he's been instrumental in expanding and improving OST opportunities for youth. Santini s journey began with the After-School All-Stars Los Angeles serving in many roles before he assumed responsibilities as the executive vice president of programs for the national office of After-School All-Stars. Santini immigrated from Honduras at age 7 and credits his experience as an English language learner for paving his path in education. Married to Alejandra Santini, a dedicated elementary school teacher and former nonprofit executive, Santini  is a proud father of two daughters.

Co-Presenter:
Alex Jergensen
Head of Product
Mizzen Education
310-906-8657

Alex Jergensen, the creative force behind Mizzen Education's product evolution, has a knack for blending research and design thinking to craft intuitive and impactful products. As the head of product, he's on a mission to catapult the Mizzen platform to new heights, delivering a consistently helpful, rewarding and lasting experience to our vibrant Mizzen community. Before joining Team Mizzen in 2024, Jergensen orchestrated product magic as the head of product at R65 Labs. Fun fact - he's not just a product expert; he's also a pioneer of some of the earliest iPhone apps! From doctors to scientists, educators to students, Jergensen's designs have touched diverse professional realms. Outside the tech world, Jergensen doubles as a superhero dad to twin daughters. And when time permits, catch him in his home studio, weaving musical wonders (and listening to anything with high energy) or planning his next big travel adventure.

Fostering Future-Ready Youth

Presenter:
Tammy Greer
Deputy Director
Florida After School, Inc.
1650 Summit Lake Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32317
561-704-2376
tgreer@flafterschool.com

Tammy Greer, deputy director for Florida After School, Inc., possesses nearly 20 years of nonprofit management and resource development experience in youth development and OST space. She has presented a wide variety of topics ranging from grant writing and grant management to implementing high-quality programs to workforce development in afterschool and summer. She is a proud former Prime Time team member, is excited to share in the 25th Anniversary celebration and looks forward to Prime Time's next 25 years of success!

Healing-Centered Leadership: Supporting Youth by Supporting the Adults Who Serve Them

Presenter:
Tessie Watts
CEO & Leadership Consultant
The Leadership Haven Resource Center LLC
560 Village Blvd. Suite 120 | Unit 18
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-574-6378
tessiewatts@theleadershiphaven.com

Tessie Watts, M.Sc., is the CEO of The Leadership Haven Resource Center, LLC, a leadership development and organizational strategy firm that supports leaders navigating high-demand, people-centered environments. With more than 30 years of experience, Watts works with nonprofit, government and community-based organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, team effectiveness and organizational stability. Her work centers on helping leaders lead with clarity, presence and consistency, particularly during periods of change, stress and complexity. Watts  brings a practical, evidence-informed approach to leadership development that emphasizes emotional regulation, communication and sustainable leadership practices. She is the author of The Power of P.R.E.S.E.N.C.E.: An 8-Step Framework to Becoming an Unforgettable Leader and is known for delivering engaging, practice-ready sessions that resonate with leaders across the human services field.

How Do You Destigmatize Mental Health in a Youth Organization?

Presenter:
Emanuel 'Dupree' Jackson
Founder & Executive Director
EJS Project
3300 S Seacrest Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
561-600-1056
emanuel.jackson@ejsproject.org

Emanuel "Dupree" Jackson, Jr., the founding director of the EJS Project, is a dynamic leader passionate about empowering youth and transforming communities. He has dedicated his life to working with children and teens, particularly at-risk youth, igniting their inner strength and potential. Jackson's dedication to equity and opportunity drives his work as he actively challenges systemic barriers and champions sustainable, community-driven solutions. The mission of the EJS Project in Boynton Beach, FL, is to provide a safe space for teens throughout Palm Beach County while creating and empowering tomorrow's leaders. Founded in 2014, the non-profit organization strives to promote positive youth development while strengthening and supporting families to enable youth to reach their full potential and become productive community members. The EJS Project has positively impacted the lives of more than 3,500 teens, employing innovative grassroots strategies to nurture local talent and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.

Co-Presenter:
Darius Murray
Founder, LMHC
ReAbleU Therapy
954-242-2397
https://www.reableutherapy.com/

ReAbleU Therapy, founded by Darius Murray, LMHC, has been supporting individuals and families in the South Florida community since 2018. As a dedicated nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Murray's experience is deeply rooted in supporting youth, young adults and families challenged by disability and adversity as they seek to maintain and embrace a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives.

Powered by Youth Voice

Presenter:
Jessica Donner
Executive Director
Every Hour Counts
11 West 42nd Street
New York, New York 10036
212-729-4434
jdonner@everyhourcounts.org

Jessica Donner (she/her) is the executive director of Every Hour Counts, a coalition of national citywide organizations that increase access to quality learning opportunities, particularly for underserved students. The organization is a leading voice promoting expanded-learning systems. Donner  manages the organization's efforts to develop policy recommendations and solutions, test the feasibility of policy and practice recommendations and disseminate findings, and deliver technical assistance to communities to build expanded learning systems. Prior to joining Every Hour Counts, she directed statewide and national service-learning initiatives at the National Service-Learning Partnership at the Academy for Educational Development and the Massachusetts Department of Education. Donner  holds a master's degree in urban policy and management from The New School, and a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania.

Co-Presenter:
Anton Spaulding
Professional Development Manager
Prime Time Palm Beach County
561-600-9544
https://primetimepbc.org/

With a passion for innovation, creativity and positive impact, Anton Spaulding has poured himself into the youth development field over more than 20 years of serving the South Florida community. From visual artist to educator, mentor, trainer, program coordinator and beyond, Spaulding  has played many key roles in supporting and inspiring young people, youth development professionals and other members of the community. Spaulding  is an alumnus of the Rising Leaders nonprofit leadership program and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in English. Spaulding is an expert of many skills, and he regularly spends personal time as a volunteer educator, game designer and pickleball athlete.

Promising Family Engagement: Content and Strategies

Presenter:
Folami Prescott-Adams, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
HTI Catalysts - A Network of Consultants
1575 Brewer Blvd., SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
404-593-6548
drfolami@hticatalysts.net

Folami Prescott-Adams, Ph.D. is the CEO of HTI Catalysts, a collaborative network of consultants whose mission is to create and hold spaces that build community and evoke organizational shifts. Prescott-Adams has made significant contributions to education transformation and youth development initiatives working with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, The Jane Goodall Institute, Georgia State University, The Wallace Foundation, Atlanta Public Schools and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She is a singer and songwriter on Come Be With Me, her latest CD compilation of her unique brand of Family Music. In 2020, she created Listening 4 Justice, a storytelling experience grounded in personal and collective history to help us face the world. She has degrees from Brown University, Temple University & a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from Georgia State University. Prescott-Adams has four adult children who constantly remind her that all education begins at home.

The Elemental Lens: Capturing Confidence Through the Voice of C.A.L.M.™

Presenter:
Dr. Deidre Reid-Thomas
CEO & Director
Thomas Ed Learning Center
2655 S State Rd 7 STE E820
Wellington, FL 33414
561-235-3783
DRT@thomasedsolutions.com

Dr. Deidre Reid-Thomas is the founder and CEO of Thomas Ed Learning Center, a holistic education organization serving youth in grades 6-12 through academic support, enrichment and social-emotional learning. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she has served as a science teacher, curriculum leader, and high school assistant principal. Dr. Reid-Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida and a Master's and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lynn University, where she was a Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Fellow. She is the creator of the VOICE of C.A.L.M.™ framework and Periodic Affirmations™, innovative tools designed to foster resilience, focus and confidence in learning spaces.