The Namaste Project Foundation
Executive Board Members
Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon
Board Chair
In addition to a strong commitment to serving the Atlanta community. by serving of various philanthropic boards, Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon is a partner at the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and Hampton University, Tashwanda is a trial lawyer who has successfully resolved a wide variety of labor and employment disputes as well as providing employment counseling and crisis management assistance. Tashwanda represents management in both union and nonunion settings in the litigation of federal and state employment and labor law claims, with a particular focus on workplace safety and health (OSHA). She is experienced in litigating high profile and high stakes OSHA matters and is often called upon by clients shortly after devastating accidents to advise them through the OSHA investigation and litigation processes.
Renelyn Thomas, MBA
Corporate Director
Renelyn Thomas, MBA, is the Executive Director of The Namaste Project. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Emory University and an MBA from Georgia State University. Renelyn has a wealth of entrepreneurial and small business management success. In 2007, she launched her Beauty Blog to address the lack of beauty products and artists suitable for diverse ethnicities. Her blog & YouTube achieved international success, and she became a brand ambassador and educator for major cosmetic companies, and her freelance makeup career spanned Bridal, Fashion, TV, and Celebrity work. Renelyn co-owns and serves as the Director of Education for Industry Makeup Academy, named the Best Cosmetology School in Georgia since 2020.
Danielle Brunson, Ed.S
Secretary
Danielle Brunson is the Chief Executive Officer at the Namaste Project with over 17 years of experience in the public and private education sector. Danielle has a Ed.S in Educational Leadership and a MAED. At TNP Danielle uses her school management experience and her mindfulness and meditation training to develop curriculum and manage school and district level programs. Danielle is also a 500 E-RYT yoga teacher with a specialization in trauma informed somatic practice's and kids yoga. She has extensive mindfulness and meditation training from UCLAs Sounds true MMTCP program and Brown University MBSR for marginalized communities programs. Her extensive background in yoga and meditation combined with school leadership and teacher development are instrumental in program development and management for The Namaste Projects’ partner schools and districts.
Marjorie Horne, Esq
Legal Affairs
Marjorie Horne, Esq., one of our much appreciated board members, is a GA licensed attorney. She comes with substantial training in identifying potential risks, any possible outcomes, and review of legal issues. While her career is currently in the legal field, it began in the mortgage industry where she eventually became a mortgage loan underwriter. After much success and 20 years in the industry, she decided to further her career by obtaining a J.D. With Ms. Horne’s extensive background in risk assessment and legal analysis, she brings invaluable contributions to the board of The Namaste Project Foundation.
Disa Robb
Communications
Disa Robb is a seasoned marketing professional with over 7 years of experience based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she obtained her degree in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications. Known for her strategic thinking and innovative campaigns, Disa has a proven track record of driving brand growth and engagement across various industries. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to her community, dedicating her time and expertise to local initiatives and educational programs. Disa leverages her marketing knowledge to empower and inform community members, fostering growth and development at the grassroots level. Her passion for giving back and her professional acumen make her a valued leader both in her field and in her community.
Shannon Reinard Demko, MBA
Board Member
Shannon Reinard Demko is a coach, writer, yoga instructor and meditation leader. She currently serves as Senior Director of Management Leadership for Tomorrow's (MLT) MBA Prep program, which supports MLT's mission of advancing racial equity through expert MBA admissions advising and programming. Shannon is also the Founder of MindfulMBA, which makes mindfulness practices and tools accessible through individual coaching and group sessions. As a coach, Shannon works with high-achieving professionals in the midst of transformation in their careers and their lives. She uses mindfulness to both ground and empower her clients along their journey to discover their true purpose, and harness their personal sources of strength to achieve their goals and dreams. She has worked with clients based all over the world, and led sessions in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The Namaste Project Foundation
Advisory Board Members
Jessica Guzman
Advisory Board Member
Jessica Guzman is the Vice President of Development at Dismas House, a Nashville-based residential reentry program. With 18 years of nonprofit administration and fundraising experience in Tennessee and North Carolina, Jessica is a dedicated professional. Previously, she served as the deputy administrator at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, collaborating closely with the CEO to implement process enhancements. Jessica also excelled as an executive administrative assistant at the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, enhancing donor relations and fundraising. Starting her career as a senior sales and service assistant at Microsoft in Franklin, Tennessee, Jessica's journey reflects her commitment to the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Jessica is a Sam Howard Empowerment Fund scholar, a Young Leaders Council (YLC) Intern on the Friends of Warner Parks Board, and a graduate of the Allstate Foundation’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Brianna Whitfield
Advisory Board Member
Brianna Whitfield brings a wealth of community connection and program facilitation experience to the team. Brianna is an Atlanta-based yoga teacher, reiki practitioner, and artist known for her dedication to fostering engagement, curiosity, and emotional well-being. With a journey that began in 2017, she harnessed the power of yoga to conquer anxiety and boost self-assurance in a challenging world. Possessing a 200hr certification complemented by over 300hrs of CEUs, Brianna perpetually embraces the role of a student and enthusiast. Guided by a resolute aim, Brianna guides classes and programs to nurtures a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment, empowering individuals to establish a profound connection with their inner selves.
Cynthia Padilla-Pearson
Advisory Board Member
Originally from Puerto Rico, Cynthia is a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, a certified trauma specialist and a field traumatologist. Before joining philanthropy, Cynthia was a career victims’ rights advocate and served 14 years in the court system supporting survivors of complex trauma. She is the owner of Trauma Conflict Consulting, LLC developing trauma-informed community programs, and providing specific training for public safety, mental health professionals, and schools.
Enrico Brunson
Advisory Board Member
Enrico Brunson is an innovative Technology Manager with over a decade of experience in educational technology leadership. As the Technology Manager at Genesis Innovation Academy, he specializes in designing and implementing cutting-edge digital learning solutions that transform educational environments. A member of the Consortium for School Networking (COSN), 1EdTech TACL Program participant, and a member of the Georgia Department of Education's Technology Standards to Support 21st-Century Learning Task Force, Enrico brings comprehensive expertise in system administration, digital learning facilitation, and strategic technology planning. With a Bachelor's in Information Technology and a proven track record of enhancing technological infrastructure, he excels at empowering educators through thoughtful technology integration, cybersecurity implementation, and comprehensive digital strategy development. His innovative approach has consistently improved operational efficiency and supported dynamic learning experiences in K-8 educational settings.
Kelley Raye
Advisory Board Member
As a photographer, personal brand strategist & expansion coach, Kelley Raye has bottled her passion for authentic storytelling and self-development into a platform designed to help visionary women build impactful brands with confidence, clarity, intention. Since 2013, she’s helped grow and develop the brands of hundreds of women through branding photography, content strategy, personal brand development, and creative business coaching. In 2021, she opened Neutral Moon Studio, a brick and mortar photo studio and creative space with women entrepreneurs in mind. Her client work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Magazine, Elle, InStyle, Huffington Post, Us Weekly, E! News and more and she’s worked with fan favorites like the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, Nicole Richie, Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, Ayesha Curry, Carla P. Hall and Claire Holt to name a few. She is based in Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA and if it involves skymiles, disco balls or neutral aesthetics, count her in.
Laura Penn
Advisory Board Member
Laura Penn is a passionate advocate for civil and social justice, bringing that commitment into the wellness world by making yoga accessible to people of all ages, body types, experience levels, and backgrounds. As a trial attorney, Laura spent years practicing law in Georgia representing and advocating for victims of negligence and misconduct. Transitioning from the courtroom to the wellness space after having children, Laura is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and now focuses on making yoga and wellness accessible and relatable to all. In addition to her ongoing studies in somatic healing, trauma-informed yoga, and a 300-hour training, Laura enjoys birding, hiking, and finding creative ways to integrate yoga both on and off the mat, including planning retreats that center on women's creative wellness, growth, and community.
Ian Elmore Moore
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Deana Panza
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Supporting TNP work in the Atlanta Community.
The TNP Foundation is dedicated to supporting evidence-backed, trauma-informed somatic healing in the metro Atlanta area via TNP evidence backed programs. TNP employs the science of the Polyvagal approach and Somatic Experiencing to offer mental health support. While delivering direct services to both youth and adults is a significant aspect of TNP’s mission, its broader goal is to empower leaders within schools, community organizations, and businesses to take charge of supporting the mental health of students and adults.
Through training, professional development, and curriculum, TNP aims to equip these leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to create supportive and healing environments. To gain more insights into TNP’s mission and vision, you can hear from CEO and Corporate Member Danielle Brunson.
