Kendra: Through her experiences in youth development in public education, higher education, sports, non-profits, and faith-based organizations, Kendra has directly experienced how adults who are committed to mentoring students can positively impact the trajectory of their lives. Kendra began her career running operations for YMCA Teen Camp in Greenville, South Carolina. At her next stop in the athletic department at the University of Tennessee she worked in academic support, providing mentoring and guidance to multiple men's and women's teams. Kendra continued her work in education for the Community Schools strategy at the Knox Education Foundation by connecting educators, community, parents, and students to maximize growth and outcomes for all involved. Currently, Kendra works at Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit where they work with the public, private, and social sectors to create partnerships and investments to help people and communities realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing. Outside of her professional career, Kendra has spent most of the last decade serving in student ministry as a small group leader and more recently in student ministry leadership at Faith Promise Church. Kendra is passionate about all young people having someone in their corner who is committed to knowing them fully, loving them deeply, and helping them grow and develop.Kenya: Student-athlete and ministry leader are the roles that have marked most of Kenya's life up until this point. Through her positions on her teams and from the sport of wrestling, she has learned what it means to be a team player and intentionally encourage the people around her as well as how to work hard and learn to lean into discipline. Her roles in ministry have set her up to talk to, understand, and be compassionate towards all types of people. In the local churches she has been a member of, both in Tennessee and in Kentucky, she has been responsible for student volunteer teams, planning and facilitating gatherings and events, preparing for speaking engagements, etc. Kenya is also the co-author of Can We Go to Lunch? which documents the ways in which her life and future have been inspired and impacted through the means of a good friendship and intentional mentorship. Her hope is that by sharing the story of how her mentor was obedient to God and loved her well, other such relationships will be encouraged and thus impact the lives of teenagers exponentially.
