Meet the Heart of YEDA
From our board of directors to our coaches, trainers, and parent volunteers, these are the dedicated individuals who make YEDA’s mission a reality.
Guiding the Mission
Board of Directors
YEDA’s board of directors provides the leadership and vision that drive our mission forward. Each member brings expertise and ideas to expand the potential of YEDA, ensuring we reach students in the most impactful ways. In addition to overseeing organizational functions, our board plays a key role in fundraising to support our programs
Monika Payne
Executive Director
Monika Payne serves as the Executive Director of YEDA, supporting founder Greg Ellison in expanding youth programs that nurture the mind, body, and spirit in underserved communities. As President and CEO of Caljohn Asset Management, LLC, she brings expertise in strategic planning, operations, and marketing consulting, with a background in organizing major events and programs.
_JPEG.jpeg)
Brandon Payne
Board Member
Brandon Payne is a Lead Product Applications Specialist for Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions. He is a licensed professional engineer providing engineering consulting services in the global petroleum refining and petrochemical industry for over 25 years. Brandon is committed to supporting and encouraging youth to pursue STEM careers and shape the course of our future.
Kelly Jones
Board Member
Kelly Jones has a gift for connecting community members and partners. During her over 16 years with Cook County, Kelly has had the opportunity to work in various units within the Department of Public Health. As a Health Educator, Kelly engages with communities in suburban Cook County to provide education and resources based on their needs and interests. She leads School Engagement at Cook County Department of Public Health, consisting of over 200 suburban School districts. Kelly's peers say she is passionate about her family, friends, and her community and that passion spills over into her work.
Christopher Smitherman
Board Member
Christopher Smitherman II is a Real Estate and Restaurant Operations professional currently working for the McDonald’s corporation searching for and acquiring property for McDonald’s in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Christopher has several years’ experience as a certified professional resume writer and public speaker providing training and consultation on career services for a wide range of professionals.
Dr. Carolyn D. Rogers
Board Member
Dr. Carolyn Rodgers is an active leader in various public health and community organizations. With a PhD in Public Health specializing in Epidemiology and multiple advanced degrees in health sciences, she is also a certified Group Personal Training and Youth Exercise Specialist. As Co-founder of the American Heritage Youth Foundation, she focuses on community-based interventions, research, grant writing, and data analysis. Dr. Rodgers is dedicated to advancing public health through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Sharron Troupe
Board Member
Sharron Troupe is the Associate Managing Director for CIBC Bank in Bronzeville, IL, with an extensive background in banking, corporate consulting, and event planning. She has held leadership roles at Seaway Bank, Urban Partnership Bank, and McDonald’s Corporation. A DePaul University graduate, she has been recognized for her excellence in business and community leadership. Sharron is deeply involved in service, serving on multiple boards and supporting numerous community initiatives.
Rosalyn Jamison
Board Member
Rosalyn Jamison is a Pharmacy Manager for Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy Services. Prior to becoming a Pharmacy Manager, Rosalyn has experience with Cardinal Health as a Senior Sales Consultant and Marketing Manager. Rosalyn is a Chicago native from the Lincoln Park and South Suburban areas and has served on several boards including the Alisia Dieudonne Foundation and the KLEO Community Family Life Center.
Dr. Joseph Day
Board Member
Dr. Joseph Day received his DrPH from the University of Illinois School of Public Health in Community Health Sciences and is the Director of the Community Health Program at Governors State University in the Southland of Chicago. His interests include health disparities, especially as they relate to Black males, and addressing adversity and trauma in low-resource communities.
.png)
Jacara Jackson
Board Member
Jacara is a licensed attorney and national news producer with experience collaborating with non-profits. Passionate about improving communities, she focuses on leveraging legal experience and media influence to drive positive change. With a commitment to social justice, she aims to empower individuals and organizations to create a lasting impact. Jacara is excited to contribute to the Board's mission and foster meaningful community development initiatives.
Greg Ellison, Founder
YEDA was founded by Greg Ellison in 2021 with a vision to bring community togetherness and youth development to the Chicago South Suburbs. With a background in management, coaching, and mentorship, Greg has dedicated his retirement to empowering the next generation. As a pillar of the community, Greg continues to pioneer innovative ways to engage and uplift youth while fostering collaboration among local organizations.
Mentors and Leaders
Dedicated Team Members
YEDA’s mentors, leaders, and dedicated team members play a vital role in shaping the next generation. From coaches and trainers to wellness consultants and marketing professionals, each individual brings expertise, guidance, and encouragement to our youth. Through mentorship, they instill values like teamwork, discipline, leadership, and personal growth, fostering both athletic and life skills. To ensure the highest standards of safety and well-being, all coaches and trainers undergo rigorous background screenings, reinforcing our commitment to a secure and supportive environment for every child in our programs.
Donovan O'neil
Travel Team Coach
Coach Donovan has been coaching for 10 years. His basketball experience, love for the game, and love for the youth ignites his passion to train and develop the next generation of student athletes.
Kris Lacy
Health and Wellness Consultant
Kris leads YEDA’s health & wellness workshops, providing youth and parents with the knowledge and resources needed to support overall well-being. Her commitment ensures that families have access to essential tools for a healthier mind, body, and lifestyle.
Ivan Sampson II
Travel Team Coach
Coach Sampson brings a deep love for the game and a passion for developing young athletes. Dedicated to teaching both skills and life lessons, he inspires players to grow in confidence, discipline, and teamwork. His mentorship helps shape the next generation, both on and off the court.
.jpeg)
Kenyada Posey
Grant Writer
Kenyada plays a vital role in securing funding to expand YEDA’s impact. Through her dedication to grant writing, she helps provide resources that keep programs accessible, ensuring more youth have the opportunity to grow through mentorship, education, and athletics.
Kenan
Travel Team Coach
Coach Kenan brings years of experience as both a teacher and a coach, dedicated to guiding and mentoring young athletes on and off the court. His passion for education and sports helps instill discipline, confidence, and teamwork, empowering students to reach their full potential in basketball and life.
Carl Scott
Travel Team Coach
Coach Carl brings a background in public service and a deep commitment to youth development. His leadership and dedication to mentorship help shape young athletes into confident, disciplined individuals, both on and off the court. Through basketball, he instills teamwork, perseverance, and a strong sense of community.
Marcus Fefee
Coach & Trainer
Coach Marcus, a dedicated travel team coach and YEDA’s Basketball Skills Trainer, is committed to strengthening fundamental skills and basketball IQ. His strategic approach to training helps young athletes refine their technique, improve game awareness, and develop the confidence needed to compete at a higher level.
Patrick Price
Travel Team Coach
Coach Price is a dedicated mentor who has committed his career to uplifting young athletes and strengthening the community. With a passion for skill development and character building, he inspires players to grow both on and off the court, fostering confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game.
Andre Hogan
Travel Team Coach
Coach Dre is passionate about restoring and uplifting the communities he serves. With strong values and a dedication to mentorship, he invests his time in coaching, guiding, and educating young athletes. His commitment to teaching life skills through basketball helps shape confident, disciplined, and empowered individuals.
Andre Adkinson
Assistant Basketball Coach
Coach Andre is dedicated to developing young athletes both on and off the court. With a focus on skill-building, teamwork, and sportsmanship, he helps players strengthen their fundamentals while instilling confidence and discipline. His commitment to mentorship ensures that every athlete not only improves their game but also grows as a leader, ready to take on challenges both in sports and in life.
The Backbone of Our Community
Parent Volunteers
Our parent volunteers are invaluable to YEDA’s success. They assist with everything from event organization to mentorship, ensuring our programs run smoothly and our youth feel supported. While the individuals listed here represent our current core team, we want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the many parents and community members who have selflessly given their time, attention, and resources to support YEDA’s mission.
Sukari Lawson
As a dedicated YEDA parent, Sukari is always ready to help—whether assisting with fundraisers like the Car Wash, Pasta Pour, and Skating Event, supporting the Back-to-School Fair, or serving on the fundraising committee. She also travels with the team, providing transportation when needed. Having been part of YEDA since the beginning, Sukari’s commitment continues to make a lasting impact. We appreciate her dedication and look forward to many more seasons with her support!
Jessica Price
As co-chair of the fundraising committee, Jessica plays a key role in supporting YEDA’s events and initiatives. Always willing to help wherever needed, she’s a dedicated presence at fundraisers and team activities. She jokingly refers to herself as “Monika’s right hand”, but her efforts speak for themselves. Her commitment and enthusiasm make a lasting impact, and we’re grateful for all she does to support YEDA!
.png)
Brittany Hogan
Brittany Hogan, of Kamadu Marketing, plays a vital role in YEDA’s marketing and operations alongside her husband, Coach Andre Hogan. Together, they support social media management, paid ads, website design, email and SMS marketing, blog writing, and more. Whether handling design, admin tasks, or digital outreach, they offer their expertise to help YEDA thrive. Their dedication ensures more youth benefit from the program, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support!
