Brady Payne
President & CEO
Brady Payne founded Change Makers United, Inc. as a means to bring communities together and give back to those in need. Brady earned a Bachelor of Arts (Interdisciplinary Studies) and a Master of Arts (Counseling) at Hampton University. His passion for education and helping others led him to the public school system. Brady has served the community as a school teacher, mentor, life coach, and an intensive in-home counselor. His cultural proficiency allows him to accurately identify community needs, and provide appropriate services and/or resources to meet those needs. Brady currently serves his community as a professional school counselor in a Title I school. He is also the Director of Youth Development for Mind Over Money, Inc. Additionally, Brady is enrolled at The College of William & Mary as a Doctoral Candidate in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership program (with an emphasis on K-12 Administration); his degree will be conferred May 2019. Brady’s ultimate goal is to use his leadership skills to help bridge the opportunity gap and cultivate sustainable change.
Bryan Payne
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Bryan brings to CMU a diverse collection of charitable works and corporate successes. Inspired at an early age through various volunteer ministries, Bryan is excited to have the opportunity to continue to give back while serving as CFO. He looks to focus on business development with an aggressive appetite for fundraising to help cultivate sustainable change. Bryan has an engineering degree from Hampton University and has negotiated the sale of over $360M in IT products/services around the world. When he is not working or volunteering, Bryan enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter, playing the drums and trying new foods.
Brendon Payne
Executive Vice-President and Chief Wellness Officer
Brendon has been working in the wellness field for over a decade. He earned a degree in recreation programming at Hampton University. Soon after breaking into the fitness industry as a personal trainer, he created his brand: Sequel Life. Additionally, Brendon acquired certifications in PiYo, yoga, running, and paddleboard (SUP) yoga. Brendon has a passion for teaching mindfulness and the practice of yoga; he contributes wellness articles to several international publications. He has also led 200-hour training sessions for aspiring yoga teachers. Brendon works with practitioners of all ages, experiences levels, & those with special needs. In addition to self-study, Brendon has had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned teachers including Amy Ippoliti, Colleen Saidman, Gina Caputo, Jason Crandell, Kathryn Budig, Taylor Harkness, Rodney Yee, Sadie Nardini, and Sean Corn. Brendon uses his knowledge of wellness and his commitment to sharing his knowledge with others as a means to cultivate sustainable change.
Phillip Welch
Director of Operations
Phillip brings Change Makers United, Inc. extensive experience in the operations field. He has a history of leading teams to record growth numbers, while ensuring a healthy work environment for staff. Phillip has been involved in community activities since his youth. His giving spirit helps cultivate sustainable change as he is constantly seeking to make a positive impact in the lives of those around him. Phillip graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. He enjoys exploring with his family and engaging in fitness activities.
Tiana Singletary
Director of Community Outreach
Tiana Singletary is dedicated to promoting education and wellness within under-informed communities. She prides herself on being part of the action, free from the confines of making phone calls and sending emails. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Hampton University and Master's Degree in Exercise Science and Wellness (specializing in Diabetes Prevention, Youth and Family Health, and Injury Prevention) at Old Dominion University. The death of her great grandfather, coupled with the abundant diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and high cholesterol in her family, prompted her to serve the community as a Personal Trainer. Tiana has led teams of wellness providers and worked alongside physical therapist, orthopedic doctors, and occupational therapists in New York, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Virginia. Prior to working with CMU, Tiana also served as a group fitness coach, lifestyle improvement coach, nutritional coach, and outreach coordinator. As a result of her rich experiences, Tiana has developed unique rehabilitative strategies and techniques. Tiana has certifications in Pre/Post Natal, Trigger Point Rehabilitation, Strength and Conditioning for athletes, Kettlebell Level 1, National Strength and Conditioning, and Injury Prevention for the recreational golfer. Tiana uses her wellness proficiency and ability to engage communities to cultivate sustainable change.
Chardinae Wilson
Director of Wellness
Chardinae leverages her impressive organizational and relationship management skills to capably steward projects and teams. A voracious learner, Chardinae consistently seeks out thoughtful and creative ways to meet the needs of the families she serves. As an Herbalife Wellness Coach, Chardinae enjoys helping people with their overall wellness goals of losing, gaining or maintaining weight, as well as, gaining more energy. She enjoys helping the community build healthy and active lifestyles to promote sustainable change. Chardinae holds a Bachelor of Science in integrated health studies from Kent State University, in Kent, Ohio.
Brittany Yhap
Director of Literacy
Brittany Yhap was a middle school Language Arts Teacher for seven years before accepting a position as high school administrator. In 2015, Brittany became the FAME Facilitator for the first FAME cohort at John Hanson Middle School. During her time in this role, she collaborated with her grade level teammates, research & assessment committees, and instructional lead teachers to develop lessons, learning goals, and learning progressions aligned to respective standards and content areas. Today, she works with content specialists to write curriculum for Middle School English Language Arts. Brittany is also a member of the Middle School English Language Arts Novel Approval Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Arts and her Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Hampton University. Most recently, Brittany has completed her Administrator 1 Certification from Towson University and plans to pursue a doctorate of psychology in the fall of 2018. Brittany cultivates sustainable change by promoting literacy for youth.
Tremaine Wills
Director of Financial Literacy
Tremaine Wills has several years of experience in the financial services industry. She assists families in creating additional streams of income to make ends meet. Tremaine teaches techniques and facilitates strategic financial planning with families in need of support. Additionally, Tremaine is the Executive Director of Mind Over Money Foundation, Inc. Mind Over Money, Inc. is an organization that focuses on spreading financial knowledge in communities that fall below the poverty line, enabling youth to monetize their current skill sets, and creating partnerships to realize common community goals. Tremaine cultivates sustainable change by promoting financial literacy.
G. “Rex” Flynn, Jr.
Chief Legal Counsel
Rex serves as Chief Legal Counsel for Change Markers United, Incorporated. In that capacity, he oversees compliance, risk management, intellectual property, board governance, and other issues requiring legal oversight or direction. Prior to serving in this role, Rex founded The Flynn Law Firm, PLLC where he practices criminal defense in Northern Virginia. He is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D. C. Additionally, he is sworn to practice before the United States District Court for both the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University and George Mason University’s School of Law. Rex uses his devotion to public service, improvement of justice, and contribution of uncompensated time and civic influence to those who cannot afford adequate legal assistance to cultivate sustainable change.
Amber Heyward
Spiritual Coach
Amber earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and minor in Spanish and International Culture and Commerce from Christopher Newport University. Amber truly has a love for people; she has served as Recruiting Coordinator for Old Dominion University and Event Lead for The Black Burdell, Inc. Additionally, Amber serves on the Alumni Board for her alma mater. In 2017, Amber founder Soul Adults, a Christian Fellowship Network connecting people through events, fellowship, blogs, and apparel. Amber uses her love for God and people to cultivate sustainable change.
Khalilah Davis
Yoga Instructor
Khaliah completed her 200 hour Vinyasa flow training at Tribal Yoga in Hampton, VA, studying with Amber Favaregh and Rolf Gates. Her desire to continue learning and growing helps provide her with fresh insights to inspire her teaching. In every class, Khaliah's goal is to create an atmosphere filled with a spirit of playfulness, freedom, beauty, movement, and calmness; while maintaining the integrity of each pose. Her teaching style is intuitive and nourishes the untapped potential of her students while challenging them to reach beyond their perceived limitations; nourishing the mind, the body and the spirit. Khaliah promotes sustainable change by doing all she can to ensure her students leave each class refreshed, rejuvenated, energized.
Semone Boone
Fitness Coach
Semone is a health and wellness professional and fitness advocate who believes in the quality of life over quantity of life. She is also known as The Fountain of Youth because of her passion for preserving 'youthfulness' through physical activity and healthy eating habits. Semone earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a concentration of exercise science from Old Dominion University. Additionally, Semone earned an American College Sports Medicine (ACSM) Personal Trainer Certification and a National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) Group Exercise Instructor Certification. Semone has been working with individuals one-on-one for over ten years; she uses her ability to motivate, inspire, and educate to cultivate sustainable change.
Adyam Mimi Redae
Fitness Coach
Adyam earned her Master's Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling. She was also a fellow of the Black AIDS Institute where her focus was on reaching African American males. Additionally, Adyam is a program administration specialist for the HIV prevention program at the Virginia Department of Health Division of Disease Prevention (DDP). She has an evident passion for combating all health issues, from disease to obesity. Adyam previously worked at the Prince George's Health Department in Maryland on their Community Transformation Grant focusing on chronic disease prevention specifically tobacco and obesity prevention. Adyam uses her knowledge from the Sports Backer’s Fitness Warrior program to facilitate weekly fitness classes. She uses expertise in cardio, strength, and flexibility to promote sustainable change. Adyam also facilitates Mental Health First Aid and Revive Lay Person training for Virginia Department of Health DDP funded sub-recipients.
Alexandria Merrit
Fitness Coach
Alexandria is a Lieutenant in the United States Public Health Services. She earned a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Hampton University. Alexandria has a passion for helping others become happy, healthy, and fit! She endeavors to help put an end to the obesity and overweight trends in America. Additionally, Alexandria works to motivate and inspire people to become the best versions of themselves by promoting sustainable change. Alexandria also connects people with an online community to cultivate accountability and fun, healthy habits.
Kiara Whack
Nutrition Coach
Kiara is a passionate mental health and nutrition coach. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Virginia. Kiara's focus is on the elevation of mind, body, and spirit through daily food regimens. Her strengths include the ability to coach families efficiently to achieve optimal weight, increase sleep time, and maximize energy. Kiara practices a holistic approach to mental health and wellness; this allows her to develop nutrition plans for improvement that promote sustainable change.
Theveline J. Felix
Digital Marketing & Advertising Specialist
Haitian-born and Virginia-raised, Theveline fell in love with nonprofits in her youth. Inspired by her own development and care through multiple mentors and charities, Theveline quickly developed a deep passion for extending that same mentorship to others. This resolve stuck with her through college, leading her to get her B.S. in Communications. Three years later, Theveline helps promote sustainable change by providing digital marketing support to engage stakeholders
Claude Junior Simeus
Media Specialist
Claude Simeus earned his Bachelor of Arts in Film at Saint Augustine’s University. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Film & Television concentration in Production at Regent University. Additionally, Claude enjoys mentoring youth, shooting short films, and taking pictures to capture life's precious moments. He believes capturing moments via media help people remember the past for a happier future. Claude uses media to cultivate sustainable change.