Meet our Board
Nichole Crane, Board Member
Nichole Crane is the Managing Director of Scholar Support for Gestalt Community Schools and has 20 years of experience working in education as a teacher, coach, leader, program manager, and advocate for students.
Nichole is a leader who excels at developing people and programs towards a common goal. She is determined to ensure our youth have a sense of belonging to our community and know they are supported to achieve their individualized goals. Nichole values family, spirituality, and happiness which she demonstrates through her faith in others, her good humor, and her commitment to persevere despite the obstacles.
Nichole is a certified Behavior Analyst practitioner, and she is skilled at shaping the organizational systems of behavior needed to have a healthy and thriving organization. As a lifelong learner, Nichole views her learning and development as a way to leave a positive impact on our community
She is a fierce advocate for our youth, especially those who face challenges. Her determination to ensure all are afforded the opportunity of support is one of our greatest assets to The Braid Foundation’s mission.
Nichole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Rust College, a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Memphis, an Education Specialist’s degree in School Administration from Cambridge College, and Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Memphis.
Susan Deason, Board Member
Susan Deason is the Executive Director for Memphis Allies, a new initiative to reduce gun violence in Memphis, and has 27 years of experience working at Youth Villages.
Susan is a certified SoucePoint leadership coach and excels at coaching and training others. Susan fulfills her professional purpose when she supports individuals and organizations to meet their goals. She is passionate about working with people experiencing challenges and wholeheartedly believes in people’s capacity for change given the right conditions and opportunities.
Susan is a certified Collaborative Problem Solving practitioner and coach and brings her values of collaboration and loyalty to The Braid Foundation; she views effective collaboration as the solution to our community’s challenges.
She is elated to support the Braid Foundation as a founding board member. With her numerous years of experience starting new programs and successful initiatives, The Braid Foundation’s board is better equipped to carry out our mission.
Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rhodes College and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Memphis.
Toya Leftwich, President
Toya Leftwich is the Managing Director of Student Management Systems at Gestalt Community Schools and has seventeen years of experience working in various capacities within the field of education.
Toya is driven to stay with a problem until it is solved; her tenacity keeps her continuously innovating and mastering new skill sets. She is not only a learning expert with a deep understanding of instructional and curriculum design, andragogy, pedagogy, and e-learning methodologies but also becomes enlivened when she is learning. Toya’s experience in research-based learning development, project management, data strategy, and innovation is essential to the success of The Braid Foundation’s purpose and mission.
Toya holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Master of Science in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership and Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis.
Kelsey McElderry, Secretary
Kelsey McElderry is a special educator who is currently fulfilling her role as a new mother. Kelsey has eight years of experience as a special educator in schools located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Kelsey is passionate about education equity. She knows firsthand how important inclusivity and diversity are to the success of our community and our future. Kelsey brings her collaboration skills to support our foundation in expressing diversity of thought while holding integrity to our mission. As our board secretary, Kelsey’s organizational skills are immensely important to our efficiency.
Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Louisiana Tech University.
