Board Members

Dr. Keith Parker is the founder and CEO of the National Education and Empowerment Coalition, Inc.  He is also a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Florida A&M University. He is author and co-author of numerous articles including Pathways to Reducing Recidivism: Providing Formerly Incarcerated Individuals with Resources to Achieve Attainable Goals in Society (2022), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Implications for Higher Education (2022), Voter Participation in the Absence of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (2021) and Using Microaggression to Examine U.S. Voter Suppression Tactics (2018).

Keith is listed in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Who’s Who Among African Americans, Outstanding Young Men of America, and 2000 Outstanding Scholars of the 20th Century.  He serves on numerous committees of professional associations and as a reviewer for professional journals.

Known for his dynamic and gentle-giant leadership skills, Keith is highly sought after as a lecturer and diversity facilitator. He is the recipient of many awards.  For example, in November 2013, he was inducted into the Delta State University Alumni Association Alumni Hall of Fame inductees; in 2008 he was listed among Cambridge Who’s Who among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs; in 2006 he was presented the Ladies of Elegance Organization, Citizenship Award for Outstanding Contributions and Volunteer Services, Cleveland, MS; in 2003 he was presented the NAACP-Lincoln Chapter, Lenora Letcher Community Service Award, Lincoln, NE; in 2002 he was listed among Who’s Who in America; in 1998 he was presented the First Annual Chancellor’s University of Nebraska-Lincoln “Fulfilling the Dream” Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE; just to mention a few!

Jessica Falkner, Vice Chair

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Jessica attended undergraduate studies at Elon University in North Carolina, where she studied International Studies and Political Science. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps in Morocco as a rural community health volunteer. After returning to the States, Jessica completed her law degree at Stetson University in St. Petersburg, Florida. Following graduation from Stetson, Jessica worked for International Justice Mission as a Legal Fellow tackling gender-based violence in Uganda. As a fellow, she implemented trainings for key groups within the public justice system and she assisted local attorneys with cases targeted for their impact on system reform. Once Jessica’s fellowship ended, she did work involving complex multi-state litigation in Washington D.C. before ultimately retuning to Florida. She has been a Staff Attorney with Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) since April 2019 and is enjoying a return to public interest after gaining valuable experience in corporate litigation. At LSNF, Jessica is currently the Immigration Project Attorney.

Erin Tupper, Secretary

Erin has a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida State University. She has been in Tallahassee 15 years and worked in various capacities within state and local government. Previous roles have included analytical, administrative, and legislative support with the Executive Office of the Governor, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Currently she is employed with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and serves as an Administrative Manager. In this role she works with citizens daily to support those that are leaving the detention facility, the unsheltered population, and others within the community in need. Her passion is connecting people and resources together, and she always strives to ensure new partnerships are developed. She is known to coordinate various community events in conjunction with LCSO and other community partners. She also serves as the Treasurer for the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts and as the lead within her neighborhood.

Shirley Learn, Treasurer

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Shirley sees her greatest accomplishment as being a mom to six children – all grown up now. Shirley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science Degree in Management (Specializing in Non-profit Leadership), and Master of Arts in Professional Writing.

Shirley worked for nonprofits such as Daniel Memorial (residential treatment facility in Jacksonville for 5-17-year-olds), Program Director for Florida’s First Coast YMCA, General Manager for Planet Fitness, and most recently I worked in education for the past 6 years as Full-time Faculty and Instructional Program Manager at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

When the opportunity presented itself for Goodwill’s Ignite 2.0 Program Manager position, she was excited and knew it was the type of work she wanted to do. Shirley is passionate about helping others and finding opportunities and resources to help them achieve their goals. Shirley has been the Program Manager for the Ignite 2.0 grant since January 4, 2022.

Patrick Mahoney, Membership Chair

Patrick Mahoney is a corrections executive and expert with over 30 years of experience with the Florida Department of Corrections. Patrick began his corrections career in 1994 as a probation officer. He promoted through the ranks and most recently served as the Director for the Office of Programs and Re-Entry for the nation’s third largest prison system. He was responsible for over 1100 staff and contracted staff, including the administration of over 10,000 volunteers. He managed a budget of over $100,000,000, including the management of all aspects of education, to include academic education, career and technical and workforce development, substance use treatment, chaplaincy services and assessments for those incarcerated in Florida’s prison system. He also has extensive experience in contract management and state procurement methods and was a Florida certified contract manager. Most recently, he was instrumental in the process of receiving one of the largest legislative education expansion packages in the Florida Department of Corrections history.

Throughout his career, Patrick cultivated relationships with a diverse range of business and community partners, including stakeholders, law enforcement, judiciary, lobbyists, elected officials, and industry and business associations. These collaborations equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate complex issues and environments with effective communication, strategic decision making and problem solving. He is a systems thinker with exceptional organizational and program management skills. He is a person with a proven track record of success in complex environments.

With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Brockport, Patrick has served as a board member of many professional and community civic organizations and currently serves on the Delegate Assembly for the American Correctional Association. The National Association of Re-entry Professionals honored Patrick’s outstanding leadership skills by naming their annual award, The Patrick Mahoney Leadership Award. In 2021, Patrick received the Presidential Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America for his continued support of America’s Vietnam Veterans. Moms for America also recognized Patrick in 2023 for his years of service and his commitment to keeping communities safe.

Dr. NiñaFe Awong

Dr. Awong, originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands – often referred to as “America’s Paradise” – serves as the Director of Special Projects and Innovation at Tallahassee State College. In this role, she leads high-impact initiatives that expand access to workforce training, elevate career and technical education, and strengthen industry and community partnerships.

She brings extensive experience at the state and national levels, including serving as Florida’s State Director for the Office of Career and Technical Education, where she oversaw the full spectrum of workforce programs from middle school through the Associate of Science level. She also engages nationally through competitive CTE fellowships and actively collaborates on CTE initiatives that shape policy, practice, and innovation across the country.

During her career, Dr. Awong has designed and championed transformative initiatives that prepare diverse learners for high-demand careers and fuel regional economic mobility. A committed educator and strategic leader, she is widely recognized for turning vision into action, building cross-sector collaboration, advancing system-level improvement, and driving meaningful, measurable impact.

Melinda Coonrod

Melinda Coonrod began her career in criminal justice in 1992 when she was appointed as an Assistant State Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit. During her career with the State Attorney’s Office, Mrs. Coonrod gained extensive criminal law experience, and became well versed in the Florida criminal justice system. Subsequently, Mrs. Coonrod served as an Administrative Hearing Officer with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing where she directed and supervised the other hearing officers in that division. In 2012 and again in 2018, Mrs. Coonrod was appointed by the Governor and Cabinet to serve as Commissioner, and later as Chair, of the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Throughout her 12 years on the Commission, she gained valuable experience in managing offender risk in the community and making informed decisions regarding parole releases. Upon concluding her term on the Commission, she returned to the State Attorney’s Office, where she now prosecutes cases in the felony division.

Additionally, Mrs. Coonrod’s experience includes representing children before the courts as a certified court appointed Guardian Ad-Litem, conducting training seminars for law enforcement agencies, and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses as an adjunct instructor at Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Association of Paroling Authorities International, Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, and the Florida Bar.

Marcellas Durham

Saskiya Fagan

As a first-generation American, Saskiya’s worldview was shaped by the knowledge that her grandmother left her home in Morgan Forest, Jamaica, with her children and a vision that freedom was possible. The byproduct of that generational journey was a deep understanding of the pursuit of freedom and a belief that creating the vision we know is aligned with our purpose is world-changing.  As a marketing and community engagement professional, Fagan uses the visual art of storytelling with the intention of creating tangible and inclusive shifts related to social conditions, significantly impacting marginalized communities at a time when it is gravely needed. Saskiya started as a community organizer, working with and volunteering for several organizations in Tallahassee. She serves on the Innocence Project of Florida team as the Public Engagement Manager responsible for the project’s communications, branding, and community outreach. She also serves on the board of the Florida Restorative Justice Association and the Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition.

Eddie Fordham

Eddie Fordham is a lived-experience national speaker, researcher, and policy analyst dedicated to supporting nonprofits and community partners through direct advocacy, rigorous policy analysis, and strategic guidance that advances meaningful criminal legal system reform. A respected analyst and strategist, Eddie focuses on evidence-informed solutions that strengthen public safety, expand opportunity, and build transformative pathways of hope for system-impacted people. With more than three decades of lived experience and a growing academic foundation in public policy, Eddie brings both professional expertise in and hard-earned insight to his advocacy work. He is a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar and a student in Florida State University’s Combined Pathways program, completing his degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with a
specialization in Public Policy while earning graduate credit toward a Master of Public Administration. Eddie is a founding leader of Florida State University’s Justice-Impacted Student Organization (JISO), the first of its kind on campus that supports initiatives, educational access, and belonging for justice-impacted students. His previous leadership roles include serving as Senior Counselor for the Dr. Regina B. Shearn Corrections Transition Program and as Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator for Auburn University’s Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project. Across Florida, Eddie collaborates with organizations such as the Innocence Project of Florida, the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence, the Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison, the Big Bend A.F.T.E.R. Reentry Coalition, and community-based networks committed to smart sentencing reform, second-chance education, and fair opportunities in workforce development. “Justice-impacted, not justice defeated!” Eddie’s motto and commitment to reform is guided by his focus on dignity, opportunity, and human-centered policy solutions. Eddie lives in Tallahassee and is married to Kay, a communications and marketing leader whose compassion and community-rooted faith inspire Eddie’s dedication to service and advocacy.

Robert Melgaard

Robert Melgaard is a seasoned leader in correctional education and workforce development
with more than 20 years of experience advancing education, training, and reentry outcomes for justice-involved individuals. He served as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Administrator for the Florida Department of Corrections, where he led statewide initiatives focused on credentialed training, industry partnerships, and employment pathways that support successful reentry.

Robert currently serves as President of the Correctional Education Association – Florida Chapter and as National Director of Outreach & Education for the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA). In these roles, he works at both the state and national levels to expand career opportunities, strengthen employer engagement, and align education and training programs with workforce needs.

With deep knowledge of reentry best practices and a strong commitment to cross-sector collaboration, Robert brings valuable insight and leadership to the Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition Board of Directors, supporting its mission to improve outcomes for returning citizens across the Big Bend Region.

Alexis L. Pugh

Alexis L. Pugh is a workforce development and reentry systems leader with extensive experience supporting individuals facing significant barriers to employment, including justice-impacted populations. Her career began in Philadelphia, where she led and supported community-based workforce and reentry initiatives focused on economic mobility, employer engagement, and trauma-informed service delivery.

Alexis previously served in senior leadership roles with Impact Services and the Urban Affairs Coalition, where she specialized in reentry programming, developed employer partnerships, and connected participants to internships, transitional jobs, and long-term employment. Her work emphasized relationship-building, cross-sector collaboration, and practical pathways to workforce stability for individuals returning from incarceration.

Currently based in Tallahassee, Florida, Alexis serves as Career Center Manager at Goodwill, where she oversees career services, training access, and employer partnerships that support job seekers across multiple career pathways. She is also the Principal Consultant at HR Demands, providing workforce development strategy, training, and HR support to mission-driven organizations.

Alexis brings a systems-level perspective, deep reentry expertise, and a commitment to equitable workforce access to her board service.

Sydney Rose

Sydney, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Community & Non-Profit Leadership from Mars Hill University. She relocated to Florida in 2023, where she joined the Florida Department of Corrections in December.

At the Department, Sydney began her role as the Employment Specialist for Circuit Two, where she has been instrumental in assisting clients with employment, housing, food assistance, and career counseling. In addition, Sydney serves as an instructor for the Thinking for a Change program and is currently enrolled in the Law Enforcement Academy to become a Certified Correctional Probation Officer. She is also set to begin her Master’s degree at Florida State University in the summer of 2025.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Sydney is actively involved in her local church, where she serves with the youth group and participates in mission trips. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys exploring new places.

Oliver Sapp

Oliver is a part of the higher educational profession with over twenty years of experience in management, leadership, and outreach. Mr. Sapp’s knowledge of building community partnerships has enhanced his ability to strategically meet the goals and objectives of alliances. He has a strong passion for working within communities to strengthen them.

Oliver is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and is pursuing a graduate degree in Public Administration. Professionally, he serves as the Senior Regional Advisor of the North Florida TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at Florida A&M University. He, therefore, carries out the mission of that office, which is to empower returning adult learners become productive citizens in the Big Bend.

Oliver is enthusiastic about people’s abilities to restore and rebuild their lives. He is energized about the human spirit through his work with organizations such as the Urban League, Florida Department of Corrections, Local College Access Networks, Florida Rights and Restoration, and voting initiatives.

Oliver’s commitment is to assist people and our returning citizens with the necessary tools to renew themselves and the belief in their ability with hard work and dedication to develop a new outlook on life and what opportunities await them.

Oliver is a native of Tallahassee with deep ties to the Big Bend. He looks forward to serving as a servant leader with Big Bend A.F.T.E.R Reentry Coalition and fulfilling their mission.

Dr. Sonja Siennick

Dr. Sonja Siennick is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Co-Director of the Juvenile Justice Research and Policy Institute at Florida State University. Her research identifies key challenges and solutions related to the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into the community. She has authored over five dozen peer-reviewed publications and white papers on crime and criminal justice system processes, including a comprehensive review of theory and research on the moderators of post-incarceration outcomes. She has served as a principal or senior investigator on numerous state- and federally-funded projects aimed at reducing crime and improving justice system processes, and has held many executive, committee, and editorial positions.

Sonja was born and raised in the New York City suburbs and spent six years in Pennsylvania while she earned her MA and PhD at the Pennsylvania State University. She has lived in Tallahassee since 2009. Outside of work, she is actively involved in the animal welfare community and in various social welfare initiatives.

Anne Meisenzahl, Co-founder

Anne Meisenzahl has an MS in Exceptional Education from Bank Street College in New York City and an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida State University. She is a retired adult education / GED teacher, curriculum writer, reentry advocate, and poet. She is the author of Taking Care of Yourself: Making the Transition from Corrections to Work, Education & Daily Life, a free, reproducible on-line life skills curriculum for people releasing from incarceration, and The Open Book: Teaching Poetry in Prison.  Her novel Long Time Gone was published in 2019 by TouchPoint Press.  She and Beth Nichols co-founded the Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition in 2012, and she has been an active Board member ever since.