CEO/President
Bio
Renada Chandler, CEO/President of Smart Kids, Inc. As Alumni of the University of Missouri St. Louis, Renada knows and understands that importance of education. As a former Substitute Teacher for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, she knew from early in her career that she wanted to help students in her community and other surrounding areas. In 2013, she founded Smart Kids, Inc. in order to help provide 1:1 tutoring and mentoring services to students living and attending school in low income demographic areas. She understood the the needs of the neighborhood children in which she wanted to help and she knew that she had to do something to ensure that they got the academic services that they ne
Vice President
Bio
Sonia Heard, Vice President has been making a positive impact for over 18 years at Washington University School of Medicine, where she provides patient services support to the pediatrics team. She is a St. Louis native who is passionate about serving the community in the medical field. She is dedicated to her current role as Vice President of the board at Smart Kids Inc., since inception of the organization in 2013. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking and shopping
Director of Grants Management
Biography
Vicki Morgan is Director of Grants at Smart Kids Incorporated. She is a graduate of McKendree University (B.B.A.) and Webster University (M.B.A.). Vicki’s leadership in finance, supply chain and consulting are making successful contributions in North America and global operations with leading companies, corporate manufacturers, Strategic Business Units, retail and franchises, government, and healthcare, which spans more than 20 years. Top organizations within Vicki’s extensive career path include The Boeing Company, Energizer Holdings Incorporated, Eastman Chemical Company, Centene Corporation, Ryerson Holding Corporation, St. Louis Public Schools, and Catholic Charities. Highlights of her career include numerous awards and achievements from organizations, providing businesses with revenue recovery solutions, supplying spares and repairs for military aircraft fleets including the Blue Angels fleet, providing insulated glass solutions for luxury vehicles and homes, New York’s Empire State Building, and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Vicki has dedicated her time as a mentor, tutor, and advocate in the greater St. Louis region and Chicago metropolitan area with after school programs, scholarships, youth and children’s ministry, and Girl Scouts. A visionary, Vicki’s great desire is for others to have victory, to know and pursue their true purpose in life, and to overcome all obstacles along the way. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, music, sports, reading and writing
Director of Fundraising Management
Biography
Valerie Elizabeth Young, Director of Fundraising is a loving mother of two, proud military veteran, talented poet, aspiring writer, and servant leader in her community. A St. Louis native, she is passionate about her personal growth and development, loves to express herself through poetry, and considers everything a life learning lesson. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice at SIU Edwardsville; an Associate’s from ITT in Criminology and Forensic Technology, graduating with honors as valedictorian; and a Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration from Lindenwood University. Valerie joined the board of Smart Kids, because of her passion for outreach in the community. As a mother, she can relate to many and enjoys using her experience to guide our youth to a fulfilling and rewarding future. Her greatest desire is to create a legacy that will equip, encourage, and inspire her children, and her children’s children to live their lives in ways that add value to themselves as well as others.
Secretary
Biography
Perry Coleman, Secretary is a proud John C. Maxwell certified Coach, Trainer & Speaker, specializing in leadership development. He sought this certification to further enhance his personal development, as well as to better serve the organizations in which he is currently associated: Current CEO of IEMERGE, a leadership consulting & development enterprise; Founding/current member/Secretary/Treasurer for "Grow", a local networking group that fosters referral business to its members; Managing Broker at Regal Realty Inc., responsible for recruiting, training, mentoring & retention of independent contractor sales team. He has served as Trinity Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (TMC) Chair, Board of Trustees (2007-2015); He has formerly served as chairperson for the Executive Committee, Social Services Committee, Personnel Committee, and as Budget Committee member. He is currently serving as congregational lead servant for the Hazelwood School District "Hero's" mentoring program (TMC Adopt A School Initiative Ministry).
Board of Directors Member
Biography
Michael Elvin, Board of Directors Member, has 20 years of investment management experience. He currently is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Edward Jones. Prior to that, he worked in the hedge fund industry from 2011 through 2018, culminating with him managing his own hedge fund that had $300 million in peak assets under management when he closed the fund. From 2005 through 2011, Michael was a Senior Portfolio Manager, Research Leader, and Vice President for Fidelity Investments where he managed $4 billion in institutional assets for clients such as Norges Bank, Ohio Pension Fund, and San Diego Fire and Police Pension Fund. From 2002 to 2004, Michael was an Equity Research Analyst for Kaintuck Capital. Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, and has a CFAI Certificate in ESG Investing. He volunteers as a Financial Coach for the United Way. Michael has a BS degree in Management Science with Concentrations in Finance and Chinese from MIT. He has a MS degree in Finance from Boston College.