Board of Directors

Board of Directors


Dr. Kristy Beam, an experienced educator, school leader, and Atlanta native, spent over a decade in the classroom before transitioning to an assistant principal role in Gwinnett County, where she was responsible for several key initiatives, such as managing the school’s Title I plan and accompanying budget to support high-needs students.

Kristy moved to Spain in 2013 to serve as principal for the American School of Valencia. During that time, she developed and oversaw the implementation of a collaborative exchange between the university and the American School for pre-service teachers to complete their practicum requirements abroad.

Most recently, Kristy was the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the City Schools of Decatur. Her efforts as both a school-based and district leader ultimately contributed to the City Schools of Decatur receiving the highest ranking in the State of Georgia for reading test scores at several grade levels.

Kristy is the author of several research publications and holds numerous certifications. In addition, she completed the AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders and the Harvard Institute for Superintendents and District Leaders. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Brenau University, along with a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology/Gifted and Creative Education from the University of Georgia and a Doctorate in Teacher Leadership from Walden University.

Our School Leader

Founding Board

  • For more than 20 years, Eric has worked to dismantle the unjust power structures that inhibit the success of students of color and other marginalized groups. As someone who was raised in a historic but embattled New York City community in the 1980’s and had the good fortune to attend some of the best public and private schools, he knows the importance of educational opportunity. Without it, his life would be fundamentally different. He believes every child deserves an equal chance at success, and has made it his life’s work to create such opportunities for young people through education.

    Eric brings deep experience in school leadership, program management, strategic growth, team building, and coaching to the Founding Board of the Academy for Innovation in Medicine. Most recently, Eric held two roles at Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn (Unity), a school he Co-Founded in 2013: Founding Director of Operations (2013-2016), and Senior Director of College and Career Readiness (2016-2023). As Founding Director of Operations, Eric helped guide Unity’s growth from inception stage to full scale operation with a $12.5M+ budget serving 600+ students annually. He supported the implementation and evaluation of Restorative Justice practices and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), producing family satisfaction rates of 90%+ and created and implemented all human resources systems and policy stances for a 47-person staff, achieving a teacher retention rate of 90% (vs. 65% across NYC charter schools).

    During his tenure at Unity, he also created and led the Academic Counseling, College and Career Readiness, and Alumni Success departments, which produced a cumulative 94% graduation rate between the school’s first three cohorts, tripled the New York City average AP course enrollment rate, and achieved a 95%+ admission rate to best-match post-secondary options for Unity seniors. Alumni matriculation, persistence, and retention rates also beat city and national averages.

    Prior to starting Unity Prep, Eric served as the Education Policy Advocate for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF). As the organization’s lead Washington, D.C.-based federal lobbyist, Eric’s work focused on advocating for equitable educational opportunities for all children through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and implementing strategies with sister organizations to promote legislative and regulatory redress for issues affecting students of color, students with disabilities, and other underserved communities. Eric’s work provided funding and protections for more than 25,000,000 students and families nationwide.

    Prior to joining LDF, Mr. González served for five years as the Program Director at Directions for Our Youth (DFOY). There, he managed the organization’s academic and social support programs and worked with students and families to reform education funding policies at the city and state level. Between 2005 and 2009, Eric was awarded the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Fellowship, and the Korea Foundation Korean Studies Fellowship for American Educators.

    Eric earned an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education as a recipient of the Urban Scholar Fellowship in 2010. His research focused on education policy and the managerial techniques used in urban public schools that closed or reversed the achievement and opportunity gaps. As a researcher with the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, he performed mixed methods research regarding the managerial practices of successful urban public schools. He also earned a master's degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where his research centered on education strategies that may be used as fulcrums for community development. While at MIT, Eric was awarded a William Emerson Travel Fund grant and the Lloyd & Nadine Rodwin International Travel Fellowship to study social aid programs in Venezuela. Mr. González completed his undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Purchase College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy.



  • Lyric Smith is currently a Fundraising Director at Public Service Partners and has been enthralled in Atlanta’s political scape since 2016. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic prowess in managing over 100 political and project-based campaign initiatives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for community engagement, Lyric has organized successful fundraisers and events for candidates, elected officials, and community leaders. She is known for her ability to cultivate strong relationships with donors, community organizations, and governmental officials, furthering the organization’s mission and impact.

    In addition to her role as Fundraising Director, Lyric has also served as the Director of Operations Administration at the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she effectively managed office operations, engaged with the community, local businesses, and chamber members. Her commitment to efficiency and excellence resulted in the successful implementation of key initiatives.

    Lyric holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University. A dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community through her work in public service and community. With her track record of success and dedication to excellence, Lyric continues to be a driving force in advancing the missions of the organizations she serves, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she touches.


  • Jon Safran is a business executive with a demonstrated history of success in the diversified industrial, consumer products, technology, and retail / recommerce industries. He focuses on driving profitable growth through innovation, market segmentation, new product development, and operational excellence – all backed by an intense focus on building an aligned and accountable team that delivers great service and value to the customer.

    Jon has held leadership roles across several functions including general management, business development, marketing, finance, investor relations, strategic procurement, and finance. He currently is the Chief Operating Officer of Alotech, Ltd. which is a company that developed and owns the Ablation processes and technologies, which combine the high strength properties of forging with the geometric flexibility of casting – this enables Alotech’s customers to reduce the weight while also improving the strength of their metal parts. Prior to that, Jon was recognized as one of the Most Admired CEOs of Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2023 for his work leading KEH Camera.

    Jon has always been passionate about education and the need to increase the breadth of educational opportunities available to students. He received an MBA from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Swarthmore College, where he earned the Ivy Award as the outstanding man of the graduating class. He is a member of both the Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma academic honors societies.

    Jon is happily married to Nicole Safran and they have two sons, Joshua and Isaac.

  • Dr. Rita Finley is the founding Associate Dean of the Office for Educational Outreach and Health Careers (EOHC) and Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Pathology and Medical Education (DAPME) at the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Her career in medical, graduate and undergraduate education spans over 25 years, having previously taught at MSM and Morehouse College. She received her B.A. in English from Fisk University, an M.S. in Biology from Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in Biology from Atlanta University with postdoctoral training at SmithKline and French Laboratories (now GlaxoSmithKline) in the Department of Drug Delivery. As Associate Dean of EOHC, Dr. Finley has been responsible for coordinating all MSM pathway programs that include students from elementary school to undergraduate, graduate and medical school educational levels. Within DAPME, Dr. Finley teaches in the first year medical and graduate school curricula at MSM within the area of microscopic anatomy. In the Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences (GEBS) Program, Dr.Finley serves as founding Director of the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) Degree.

    The MSMS Degree serves as a graduate academic enhancer for the successful application of students who would benefit from additional academic support to ensure success as they transition into medical school. Her administrative appointments also include that of Director and Co-Director of a number of premedical undergraduate summer programs including the Academically Prepared for EXcellence (APEX), a premedical undergraduate pathway program designed to prepare students for successful application into schools of medicine, Aspiring Scholars in Pre-medicine (ASUP), a program in association with Albany State University premedical students and Bridges to Medicine, a program being developed in partnership with Bakersfield College as part of the More in Common Alliance (MiCA). Dr. Finley’s professional and administrative responsibilities are enhanced by several key service appointments to committeesincluding MSM’s Curriculum Committee on Education, the MSMS Curriculum Operations Committee (Chair), the MD and the GEBS (Chair) Student Academic Progress and Promotions Committee, the Comprehensive Scholarship Committee (Co-Chair), the MD Admissions Committee, formerly as Faculty Trustee on MSM’s Board of Trustees, and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Pathway Programs Advisory Group.


  • Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Brianna T. Smith has always had a deep passion for creativity, community and to impact society. In 2017, Brianna graduated from The Howard University, obtaining her Degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Relations. During her undergraduate career, she became immersed in the campus and community life, exhibiting her desire to serve others on a wider scale.

    In 2019, Brianna obtained a scholarship to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School where she would serve on the Exec Board of various organizations, including President of the Student Bar Association her 3L year, and under her leadership as SBA President, created the "Dream Closet" where students of the law school are able to donate and receive business professional and casual clothing for use throughout their legal journeys.

    Brianna currently practices Entertainment, Business and Intellectual Property Law as an attorney with a boutique law firm, Arrington & Phillips, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. Brianna works with a wide range of talent such as DC Young Fly, Lil Baby, Kevin Gates, NBA Youngboy, Sexyy Red, Quando Rondo, Tanerélle, Lil RT, Rob49 and grammy nominated producers, as well as film production companies, business owners, a few Fortune 500 companies and many more.

    Brianna is a professional member of the Recording Academy and an active member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy. Brianna currently serves on the executive board of the State Bar of Georgia's Entertainment and Sports section for the 2024-2026 term, the founding E-board for the Gate City Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and received recognition as 'Top 40 under 40' from the National Black Lawyers Association class of 2024. Brianna is also a member of the Georgia Association for Black Women Attorneys, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. Brianna is an active volunteer and devotes her time to her community by teaching Brand Development classes to the unhoused and volunteering monthly.

    Brianna's life mantra and motivation is "[s]uccess is not determined by where you are but by how many people you are able to help get in your same position."

  • Dr. Sylvia Bartley is a renowned health equity advocate, neuroscientist, and social change leader committed to dismantling barriers to care for minoritized communities. Guided by a deep spiritual purpose rooted in mindfulness, she has dedicated her career to advancing health equity, addressing social determinants of health, and expanding access to life-changing medical technologies for individuals with chronic diseases.

    During her 20+ years at Medtronic, Dr. Bartley held key roles across sales, marketing, physician education, business development, philanthropy, and health equity. She led global teams in advancing surgical innovations for Parkinson’s Disease and movement disorders and was instrumental in shaping Medtronic’s enterprise-wide health equity strategy, aligning it with the needs of patients and stakeholders.

    Currently, Dr. Bartley serves as Chief of Staff and Strategy Transformation to the Dean and EVP for Health Affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. In this role, she drives and influences change transformation and ensures operational excellence within the Office of the Dean. She plays a pivotal role in advancing the institution’s transformational efforts to fulfill its mission of leading the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice.

    Dr. Bartley’s civic engagement reflects her passion for ensuring all students receive the high-quality education they deserve. She serves on the board of The Johnson STEM Activity Center and as an advisor for the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. She is dedicated to providing minoritized communities with critical resources and information to address social determinants of health.

    An accomplished author, Dr. Bartley published Turning the Tide: Neuroscience, Spirituality, and My Path Toward Emotional Health, where she explores the connection between the brain and soul, inspiring readers to create meaningful change. She also hosts The More We Know Community Show, a podcast spotlighting individuals breaking barriers and fostering equity.

    Dr. Bartley’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the Top 100 Most Influential and Powerful Black Britons (2019–2025), The Powerlist PwC Purpose Award, the Medtronic HR Stewardship Award, and a Bush Fellowship, among others.


  • Dr. Michael E. Hodge is the Executive Director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium,  Inc.—the oldest and largest consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with  over 9,000 students, nearly 3,000 faculty and staff, with $110.1M in research dollars, and nearly $900M annual economic impact in the greater Atlanta community.

    Hodge is an accomplished academic with over 25 years of academic and administrative  leadership from faculty member through executive levels in higher education. He formerly  held academic administrative positions as provost and senior vice president of academic  affairs and acting president at Morehouse College.

    Hodge engages with government agencies at both the state and national levels and acquires  and nurtures strong relationships within philanthropic agencies such as the Mellon, Ford, Bill  and Melinda Gates, and Apple foundations. He has made scholarly contributions through highly regarded research papers and publications, sustaining  status as a distinguished scholar within the field—being chosen as a Georgia Sociologist of  the Year.

    He serves on several boards and committees such as the Teaching Tolerance Council of the  Southern Poverty Leadership Center, The Association of Black Sociologists, and charter  member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

    Hodge is dedicated to creating inter-institution collaboration to enhance the collective  relevance and impact of the AUCC member institutions while positioning the Center as the  locus of thought leadership on issues of health, economic, and social justice, and diversity  and inclusion.


  • As a nationally respected and distinguished healthcare and public health leader, educator, and community advocate, Dr. Yolanda Wimberly brings a dynamic vision to her position as senior vice president and Chief Health Equity Officer at Grady Health System. A board-certified physician in both pediatrics and adolescent medicine, Dr. Wimberly serves as an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Her leadership and nationally respected voice in the health equity movement are born of 21 years of clinical experience. During that time, Dr. Wimberly provided expert medical care to some of the most vulnerable people in the Metro Atlanta area. Combining her leadership, research, and administrative experience, Dr. Wimberly incorporates into her work a unique and comprehensive understanding of the various facets of health equity and social determinants of health. Her educational and pedagogical acumen have impacted healthcare demonstrably, specifically in enterprising medical decision-making, fiscally-responsible cost-effectiveness, and successful incorporation of clinical best practices.

    In addition to bringing this rich background and experience into her work in providing excellent quality care to patients, Dr. Wimberly is also known for her compassionate and successful nurturing of the next generation of exceptional medical professionals. As the former Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Clinical Affairs for Grady at MSM, Dr. Wimberly led the clinical experience and educational enterprise of hundreds of medical students, residents, and faculty for 20 years. During her tenure there, she developed the strategic plan for graduate medical education at MSM and led the expansion of GME at MSM by 50%, while decreasing program citations by 75%.

    As the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer at Grady Health System since October 2021, Dr. Wimberly leads the initiative to integrate comprehensive health equity into all Grady Health System operations. As a roadmap for this, she developed an institutional health equity strategic plan and oversees its continual implementation. Since stepping into the role, Dr. Wimberly has chartered a Health, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (HEDI), consisting of members and leaders from religious, corporate, non-profit, and grassroots organizations, and representatives from local municipalities. The council serves in an advisory capacity to Grady’s Office of Health Equity. Working within the council, she has formed coalitions to identify and combat structural inequities in the Grady Health System, and thus address the impact of inequity on its employees and staff, and on the communities Grady serves.


    Dr. Wimberly is a deeply committed community advocate. One of her many community initiatives is the Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP), which she developed and implemented. The mission of TELP is to generate teens’ interest in working in the healthcare fields. High school students spend part of their summer at Grady in a professional shadowing experience. Annually, TELP receives over 1500 applicants and continues to provide teens an exciting introduction to the medical professions. For those in the community beginning their medical careers, Dr. Wimberly led efforts to develop a business of healthcare internship program at Grady for entry-level healthcare jobs. Her unwavering community advocacy further expands to the invisible in the community by championing the program that provides a mobile shower for the unhoused, serving at least 60 guests every Tuesday and Thursday.

    Recognizing that significant and sustainable success in achieving health equity lies at the board level, Dr. Wimberly led the charge for the Board of Directors for Grady Health System to develop a Health Equity Committee which would provide oversight, governance, accountability, and support for Grady’s health equity mission. Nationwide, less than 5% of hospital systems have such a model at the board level. The institution of Grady’s Health Equity Committee is another indication of Dr. Wimberly as the progressive, constructive, and effectual visionary she is. Her passion for addressing health inequities is exemplified by her unyielding commitment to building synergetic collaborations with the community and making a significant, measurable impact in decreasing health inequities and improving access to quality healthcare.

    Dr. Wimberly earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Meharry Medical College and her Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Cincinnati. After completing her pediatric residency at Northwestern Children’s Hospital, she completed an adolescent medicine fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Highly regarded for her perceptive leadership, Dr. Wimberly serves on several boards focused on improving health outcomes and elevating health equity in the United States and around the world. Her board membership includes the board of directors for the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), Metro Atlanta YMCA, and Camp Twinlakes. In recognition of her leadership and accomplishments, Dr. Wimberly was the recipient of the Association for American Medical Colleges’ prestigious Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, and of numerous other national awards. In 2022, Dr. Wimberly was named a Top Diversity and Inclusion Officer by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as a Top Diversity and Inclusion Officers to Watch in 2023 and consistently from 2011 through 2024, recognized as one of Atlanta’s Top Doctors by Atlanta Magazine.

  • Jenay Hicks is a visionary Licensed Clinical Executive Trauma Therapist and well-being strategist dedicated to transforming workplace cultures and empowering professionals. Her intimate understanding of the challenges that arise from feeling unseen and burnt out fuels her commitment to creating inclusive, supportive work environments.

    Her journey began at Morehouse School of Medicine, where she discovered her passion for addressing the mental health needs of high achievers. Initially serving as the Associate Director of Graduate Medical Education, Jenay gained invaluable insights into the mental health challenges faced by medical professionals. This experience guided her transition to the role of Associate Director of Counseling Services and Resident Well-Being, deepening her impact in mental health care

    Now, as a Founding Board Member of the Academy of Innovation in Medicine (AIM)—Georgia's first proposed STEMM-focused public charter school set to open in August 2026—she has come full circle. Additionally, Jenay serves as the Pathway Program and Well-being Consultant for the Office of Health Equity at Grady Hospital, where she spearheads the Work-Based Learning program.

    Jenay's innovative "Just Breathe" curriculum is the cornerstone of her holistic approach, combining trauma-informed techniques with mindfulness strategies and resilience-building exercises. Through her private practice, Free Thinkers Psychotherapy and Consulting, she provides individual and group therapy, executive coaching, and wellness workshops. Her dedication to uplifting underserved communities is evident in her efforts to reduce stigma and raise awareness around mental wellbeing.

    Her core belief is that "achievers who prioritize wellness foster thriving workplace cultures." By challenging traditional organizational development approaches, Jenay champions a future where well-being, innovation, and personal growth are intrinsically linked. Through her work, she aims to create a world where every professional feels empowered to use their unique gifts to make a positive difference, ultimately contributing to more resilient and adaptive organizations.