Our Team
Christy Mensah
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
“I want children to be equipped and empowered so that they can reach their fullest potential as children, youth, and adults.”
Jennifer Erno
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
“The work of I AM is a passion to make sure every kid knows they are loved and they matter. I want to reach the heart of every kid that they might have the self-confidence I didn’t have growing up.”
Abby Gautreau
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR
“The I AM program plays a crucial role in teaching and empowering every child to become their best self. I believe that when children recognize their own value and understand the importance of those around them, they can lead more fulfilling lives. This awareness enhances their social, emotional, and academic performance, allowing them to thrive in all aspects of life.”
Kenya Harris
EXECUTIVE ADMINSTRATOR, INSTRUCTOR
“I AM empowers students to believe in themselves, have confidence, and grow in their purpose as they love themselves and others. It teaches that everyone is uniquely different and important. I AM has impacted so many lives for the better and the various topics taught helps to build each child. ”
Trajai Smith
INSTRUCTOR
“I want to help children build a positive mindset now so they can be responsible adults in the future”
Kymber Janes
INSTRUCTOR
“It is a joy and an honor to be a part of an incredible team that is forging a way to be a guide and encouragement to the next generation. This program is a delight and it is full of all things needed for each child to succeed in life. I love the way each lesson speaks to the one about their unique greatness and value, and to the whole about the strength of staying together. In a world of so much information, I’m thankful to be able to deliver such good news to students through I AM.”
Vera Ellois
INSTRUCTOR
“After having taught for well over 40 years general subject matter, it is such a joy to be able to help students develop their interpersonal skills. I AM teaches students that they matter and being a unique and important individual is enough to survive in this world. It is so rewarding to instill this in our students and to see their faces when they believe this for themselves.”
Jason Roussell
BOARD PRESIDENT
(Employee Benefits Advisor, USI)
“There are a few pillars that a community stands on, and one of them is education. We need to give as much attention to social and emotional learning as we do any other subject.”
James (Jay)Thompson III
SECRETARY
(CEO, SITECH Louisiana)
“I AM enables a child to shift their focus from a hurt to a hope. I believe that I AM’s social and emotional learning nourishes hope in a child’s mind by providing exciting new skillsets. These new abilities enable in children the opportunity to experience a very grown up perspective. ”
Lanna Sprecher
TREASURER
(Senior Accountant, Honor Services)
“I AM is a beautiful tool for our community to utilize in developing the next generation. Education is more than academics and I AM provides the essential ‘more’ that is needed to help build the child.”
John Moran
MEMBER
(CEO, Moran Construction Consultants)
“Encouraging and empowering others to recognize their own potential and the positive impact they have on the world is what excites me most about my professional career. I can think of nothing more impactful than teaching children to recognize their own unique values and positive contributions to the world, empowering them to be confident in the face of adversity, and to set the right example for us all thru their positive actions. I AM provides them the necessary tools to do so beyond traditional academics.”
Meredith Eicher
MEMBER
(Owner, Meredith Eicher and Associates)
“My purpose in life is to inspire and empower others to believe in themselves through my perseverance, humor, love and compassion. I discovered my purpose in 2009 and it has been my guiding light ever since. When I first heard Christy present the mission and purpose at a meeting, my jaw dropped. Could there be an organization actually doing this? How could I not give my time? We are so aligned and I AM is doing it with the children which is so powerful.”
Advisory Council Members:
Julius Bedford, Principal, Bernhard Capital Partners
Val Generes, Business Manager, Phoenix Pharmacy Solutions
Kent Landacre, Vice President, Sr. Business Relationship Manager, Chase Bank
Tyler Lane, Vice President, Gerry Lane Enterprises
Brian LeBon, General Counsel, Honor Legal Services
Damien LeBrane, Marketing Coordinator, LardOil Company
Gaylynne Mack, Executive Director, Big Buddy Program
Tara McLin, Founder & HR Consultant, Unitas Consulting
