FOUNDER

Mario Jovan is an artist, storyteller, leadership coach dedicated to empowering social impact leaders. He began his journey as a 7th-grade teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where he founded the Brotherhood, a program for young Black males. Motivated by the lack of male educators of color, Mario co-founded Profound Gentlemen, successfully retaining 98% of male teachers of color annually. Inspired by his own experiences with leadership coaching, Mario founded Messy Roots, a coaching organization for social impact leaders. Recognized by Forbes' 30 Under 30, he is also a mindfulness instructor, RYT 200 Yoga Instructor, and author of the Inside Out Journal.

Executive Coach - Jolly Advisory Consulting

I am an advisor, consultant and coach, with over 20 years of experience leading and achieving, serving as a catalyst for excellence and equity in every space I occupy. I see relationships, core values, integrity, and curiosity as core to meeting any mission.

I have developed numerous strategies, led implementations, generated resources, and been accountable for achieving strategic outcomes - and I often remind partners that no single person has all the answers, and that clarity can often come from those who bring a fresh perspective. I love supporting leaders with their transformative efforts through coaching and competency-building.

Executive Director - Good Tension Coaching

Araceli Ruiz O'Clair walks alongside individuals at a crossroads—those who feel called to create a more meaningful future. Her work is built on a simple belief: that a well-lived life flows from a deep connection to one’s own purpose. She offers a genuine partnership for anyone ready to explore not just what they want to achieve, but who they aspire to be.

Her approach is grounded in over 15 years of real-world experience. From managing her family’s business as a young teen to serving as a Principal in high-stakes school environments, Araceli’s journey has been shaped by a profound work ethic and a core belief in learning by doing. The principles of education, hard work, and deep humility, instilled by her Mexican parents, inform every aspect of her insightful guidance.

This unique convergence of professional expertise and personal wisdom is the heart of her coaching. She creates a warm, dynamic container built on trust and a deep empathy for anyone navigating life-changing decisions. Araceli guides you to find courage in the friction of growth, empowering you to move forward with the clarity and conviction to live a life aligned with your deepest values.

Founder & Executive Leadership Coach - Urban Leader Coaching, LLC

Dr. Herrera is a certified executive leadership coach, former school leader and education researcher on fire about re-imagining America’s public education system. With nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading within Title I schools, and a doctorate in education, he is passionate about bridging theory and practice. Dr. Herrera’s experience spans instruction and campus leadership in both high-performing Title I schools and turnaround environments in Los Angeles, his hometown, and Milwaukee.

Beyond his experience as an educator and school leader, Dr. Herrera has simultaneously pursued graduate degrees and systems-level fellowships, including involvement with the Teach For America Systems Impact Fellowship, The National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators where I have collaborated on projects with Teach Like a Champion, and previous involvement with Teach Plus and the KIPP School Leadership Program’s Research for Better Teaching.

Dr. Herrera attained his undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, his graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Northridge, and his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, Leading for Instructional Change at the University of Southern California. His dissertation was titled, “Pre-Service Teacher Educator Perceptions on Preparing Novice Teachers for High Quality Teaching of K-12 Students.”

Equity and Justice Leadership Coach - Melanated Masterminds

Darren Rainey, Sr., is the founder and Chief Mastermind of Melanated Masterminds, an organization committed to developing the next generation of African-centered leadership. Originally from Philadelphia, Darren pursued his undergraduate studies at Hampton University and obtained his Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. His educational journey began after a career as a military officer in the U.S. Army. As a Teach for America Corps member in Delaware, he transitioned into the classroom, teaching secondary English and Language arts. Darren has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including Athletic Director, Grade Team Leader, Instructional Coach, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Darren currently serves as an Adjunct Professor and Program Manager for the Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Educators at Delaware State University. In his role at DSU, Darren spearheads initiatives to attract, support, and sustain a diverse educator workforce, with a focus on recruiting and nurturing Black male educators. Darren led the Master of Arts in Equitable Curriculum and Instructional Leadership program at DSU, a graduate program designed to develop the skills and capacity of teacher-leaders to redesign an education system grounded in truth, justice, and equity. Darren is currently pursuing his Ed.D. in K-12 Education Leadership at Delaware State University. His research focuses on cultivating Black male educators as African-centered scholar-practitioners.

Executive Coach

Dr. Jarrett Carter is a certified leadership coach, educator, and former higher education senior leader with a passion for helping emerging and mission-driven leaders lead with clarity, authenticity, and purpose. With 15 years of experience, he brings a people-first, data-informed approach to coaching and strategy. As founder of Collaboratix, a next-generation coaching and consulting practice, and a member of university faculty, Dr. Carter bridges theory and practice to support organizations and individuals in navigating complexity, asking better questions, and leading meaningful change authentically.

Performance Coach - Next Play Mentality

Kanitha is a Social Impact Leadership Coach who empowers leaders to align purpose with practice, driving goal-oriented success and lasting impact. She is also an accomplished Operations Leader with deep expertise in people and culture. Her Human Resources background includes leading strategic hiring processes, new hire onboarding, team retreats, organizational design, and the development of core values that shape strong, thriving cultures.

Executive Coach - Building Bridges Coaching & Beyond

Dr. Khailiah Camille Canada is a dynamic transformational leader, currently serving as a high school Principal in Philadelphia. She is also a certified life coach. Beyond her impactful role in education, she is an adjunct professor, a dedicated mother and wife, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Culture Compass Coach -Finding Your Leadership North Star

Dr. Tim Raines (he/him) is your "Cultural Compass," guiding everyday leaders and organizations to center authenticity, equity, and belonging in everything they do. A nationally recognized consultant, coach, and speaker, he brings deep expertise in cultural humility, inclusive leadership, and organizational change. With a background as a scientist and equity educator, Dr. Tim bridges research, practice, and lived experience to foster environments where people and programs can thrive. He invites you to co-create brave spaces for reflection, transformation, and sustainable community leadership. Let him guide you on your journey toward inclusive change.

Social Impact Leadership Coach

Ubaid Bhatti is an experienced educator, facilitator, and equity consultant with over a decade of work in schools and mission-driven organizations. Born in Doha, Qatar to a Pakistani family and raised in the U.S., Ubaid brings a deeply personal and cultural lens to his work—grounded in all of his intersecting identities. As a coach, Ubaid leads from a place that centers lived experience, belonging, and identity. He is especially passionate about creating affirming spaces for Muslim professionals and communities to share stories, reflect, and grow together. Outside of coaching, Ubaid works as a data coach working with school leaders in the School District of Philadelphia. When he’s not leading workshops or in deep dialogue.