As a charter school, we rely on our committees to assist our school in its many functions. Our Governing Board also has committees that are in need of participants. We welcome parents and staff to join one of these committees that fits your area of interest or expertise. If you are interested and able to join one of our committees please email the committee chair at the email address below so that you may obtain further details.
Current Governing Board
Matt Markel, President, mmarkel@brightenacademy.com
Matt is employed with WestRock in the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement group as a Director of Global Capital Equipment Procurement. Matt served as the Treasurer for the School during the expansion into the new facility. He graduated from Michigan Technological University as a Mechanical Engineer , Purdue University with an MBA and ESAP Paris with and MSM. He is married to Candice Markel and together they have three beautiful daughters.
Jamilia Smith, Vice President, jsmith@brightenacademy.com
Jamilia Smith is an experienced Business Consultant and Career Coach with over 13 years of experience in talent recruiting, selection and development experience. Throughout her professional career, Jamilia has created and executed strategies which addressed gaps in talent management for several Fortune 500companies, and small businesses.
Jamilia currently serves full-time in the quick-service restaurant industry as a Consultant and leads her own career coaching business. Prior to her current professional role, Jamilia served as a Talent Partner with CarMax, Inc. Jamilia has spent the last 13 years of her career in the Talent space and has a wealth of knowledge and experience with talent strategies. Her extensive work experience, coupled with her unique ability to build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships will support the larger vision of the Governing Board and the Brighten community.
In addition to professional growth, Jamilia is passionate about mentoring and serving underserved youth, young women, and recent college graduates. She has served in several capacities that support these passions. Jamilia has built and executed programs supporting high school athletes with collegiate athletic aspiration, job readiness for high school and college students, and countless other programs supporting the sustainability of future generations, from a gainful employment and entrepreneurship perspective.
Jamilia is a first-generation college graduate, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management, from Alabama State University. She is both grateful and very excited to share her time, talent, and heart to support the mission of the Governing Board and the growth of the Brighten community.
Jamilia Smith is an experienced Business Consultant and Career Coach with over 13 years of experience in talent recruiting, selection and development experience. Throughout her professional career, Jamilia has created and executed strategies which addressed gaps in talent management for several Fortune 500companies, and small businesses.
Jamilia currently serves full-time in the quick-service restaurant industry as a Consultant and leads her own career coaching business. Prior to her current professional role, Jamilia served as a Talent Partner with CarMax, Inc. Jamilia has spent the last 13 years of her career in the Talent space and has a wealth of knowledge and experience with talent strategies. Her extensive work experience, coupled with her unique ability to build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships will support the larger vision of the Governing Board and the Brighten community.
In addition to professional growth, Jamilia is passionate about mentoring and serving underserved youth, young women, and recent college graduates. She has served in several capacities that support these passions. Jamilia has built and executed programs supporting high school athletes with collegiate athletic aspiration, job readiness for high school and college students, and countless other programs supporting the sustainability of future generations, from a gainful employment and entrepreneurship perspective.
Jamilia is a first-generation college graduate, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management, from Alabama State University. She is both grateful and very excited to share her time, talent, and heart to support the mission of the Governing Board and the growth of the Brighten community.
Dr. Deona Carter, Secretary, dcarter@brightenacademy.com
Dr. Deona Carter serves as the eCampus Director for the Technical College System of Georgia where she supports the expansion of online education access to citizens across the state and beyond. She has also been an undergraduate faculty member for Southern New Hampshire University since 2014. She has been working in the field of higher education expressly for over thirteen years. Dr. Carter has experience with the student life cycle from enrollment through to graduation at all levels. Her specialties include, higher education leadership, academic advising management, policy, procedure, and curriculum development, as well as student support services.
Dr. Carter understands the challenges of managing a full-time job and contributing to family while seeking to engage with the community at large through service. Personally, Deona shares life with her husband of over a decade, bonus teenage son, rising 2nd grader son and 2020 born baby girl. In her professional role as an undergraduate instructor, she teaches adults how to balance responsibilities, improve their time management, and become fiscally responsible all while maintaining a positive attitude. Dr. Carter has served as a community liaison charged with building and maintaining community partnerships.
Dr. Carter is a passionate leader in education with vast knowledge of student development. She has experience with successfully completing regional accreditation reviews having participated in multiple audits. Dr. Carter has helped to author strategic plans and execute initiatives to improve student success outcomes tenfold. Dr. Carter has conducted extensive research on the motivations of students and uses this knowledge to improve student outcomes in every educational setting she has been part of. As an institutional leader, Dr. Carter also has experience with budget management and review. Dr. Carter seeks to improve student outcomes in every organization she aligns with. She understands what it takes to support student success at every level of the educational journey.
Dr. Carter holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, a Master of Arts in Post-Secondary Education from Argosy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies from Berea College.
Dr. Deona Carter serves as the eCampus Director for the Technical College System of Georgia where she supports the expansion of online education access to citizens across the state and beyond. She has also been an undergraduate faculty member for Southern New Hampshire University since 2014. She has been working in the field of higher education expressly for over thirteen years. Dr. Carter has experience with the student life cycle from enrollment through to graduation at all levels. Her specialties include, higher education leadership, academic advising management, policy, procedure, and curriculum development, as well as student support services.
Dr. Carter understands the challenges of managing a full-time job and contributing to family while seeking to engage with the community at large through service. Personally, Deona shares life with her husband of over a decade, bonus teenage son, rising 2nd grader son and 2020 born baby girl. In her professional role as an undergraduate instructor, she teaches adults how to balance responsibilities, improve their time management, and become fiscally responsible all while maintaining a positive attitude. Dr. Carter has served as a community liaison charged with building and maintaining community partnerships.
Dr. Carter is a passionate leader in education with vast knowledge of student development. She has experience with successfully completing regional accreditation reviews having participated in multiple audits. Dr. Carter has helped to author strategic plans and execute initiatives to improve student success outcomes tenfold. Dr. Carter has conducted extensive research on the motivations of students and uses this knowledge to improve student outcomes in every educational setting she has been part of. As an institutional leader, Dr. Carter also has experience with budget management and review. Dr. Carter seeks to improve student outcomes in every organization she aligns with. She understands what it takes to support student success at every level of the educational journey.
Dr. Carter holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, a Master of Arts in Post-Secondary Education from Argosy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies from Berea College.
Reginald Zackery, Treasurer rzackery@brightenacademy.com
Reginald Zackery has an array of experience in finance, business management, trend analysis, forecasting, process improvement, and reporting which I have used to help make strategic decisions within an organization. Additionally, he has 12+ years of customer service experience that enables me to build relationships for leading the organization.
Mr. Zackery is a Senior Financial Analyst with Deluxe Corporation. In this role, he manages over $20M in revenue which adds to the broader payments business of $600M in annual revenue. He utilizes historical data to build future forecasts that allow proper decision making within the organization.
Mr. Zackery recently completed his MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport and he believes the skills learned during this program has equipped him to lead an organization into a strong financial position. Additionally, Mr. Zackery has a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University in Finance
Reginald Zackery has an array of experience in finance, business management, trend analysis, forecasting, process improvement, and reporting which I have used to help make strategic decisions within an organization. Additionally, he has 12+ years of customer service experience that enables me to build relationships for leading the organization.
Mr. Zackery is a Senior Financial Analyst with Deluxe Corporation. In this role, he manages over $20M in revenue which adds to the broader payments business of $600M in annual revenue. He utilizes historical data to build future forecasts that allow proper decision making within the organization.
Mr. Zackery recently completed his MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport and he believes the skills learned during this program has equipped him to lead an organization into a strong financial position. Additionally, Mr. Zackery has a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University in Finance
Shawn Denton, sdenton@brightenacademy.com
Shawn Denton is from the Bronx, NYC. He has been married for 10 years and has 2 sons. Mr Denton has signature skills in public service such as communication, social perceptiveness, culture, and management.
He displays great passion for helping others. He is devoted to work out in the community where there is a need.
Shawn has background in Mental Health as a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Mr Denton has formulated assessments with therapist, created service plans, and conducted individual/group therapy sessions to provide interventions to students who suffer with mental health disorders.
Mr Denton has been a Barber for over 20 years and currently he manages the Barberzone in Douglasville. He is a self published Author of 3 books on the Inner-Self, Esoteric spirituality, depression and suicide awareness.
Mr Denton holds a Bachelors degree in Social Work From Virginia State University. Mr Denton is dedicated to using his experience in both public and private sectors to serve on the Board at Brighten Academy.
Shawn Denton is from the Bronx, NYC. He has been married for 10 years and has 2 sons. Mr Denton has signature skills in public service such as communication, social perceptiveness, culture, and management.
He displays great passion for helping others. He is devoted to work out in the community where there is a need.
Shawn has background in Mental Health as a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Mr Denton has formulated assessments with therapist, created service plans, and conducted individual/group therapy sessions to provide interventions to students who suffer with mental health disorders.
Mr Denton has been a Barber for over 20 years and currently he manages the Barberzone in Douglasville. He is a self published Author of 3 books on the Inner-Self, Esoteric spirituality, depression and suicide awareness.
Mr Denton holds a Bachelors degree in Social Work From Virginia State University. Mr Denton is dedicated to using his experience in both public and private sectors to serve on the Board at Brighten Academy.
Kristen Moses, kmoses@brightenacademy.com
Kristen Moses has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and Interpersonal Communications. She is a published Journalist, writing for various magazines and media outlets. She has worked with nonprofit organizations and young adult programs providing services such as resume building, interview coaching, and mentorship.
She is also a Marketing Specialist with over 10 years' experience working with various Fortune 500 companies. She has served on the Brighten Academy PTO board as Membership Chair assisting with organizing both school events and fundraising events. She has a strong passion for community uplift, community outreach, as well as children's education. She is married with two sons, and a dog mom to Winston. Her family enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and community service.
Kristen Moses has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and Interpersonal Communications. She is a published Journalist, writing for various magazines and media outlets. She has worked with nonprofit organizations and young adult programs providing services such as resume building, interview coaching, and mentorship.
She is also a Marketing Specialist with over 10 years' experience working with various Fortune 500 companies. She has served on the Brighten Academy PTO board as Membership Chair assisting with organizing both school events and fundraising events. She has a strong passion for community uplift, community outreach, as well as children's education. She is married with two sons, and a dog mom to Winston. Her family enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and community service.
Dondell Patterson, dpatterson@brightenacademy.com
Dondell Patterson is an Attorney with over 13 years of legal experience. She is currently a Deputy Director for the City of Atlanta Office of the Public Defender where she focuses on Holistic Advocacy. Dondell is responsible for overseeing community outreach, which includes several legal clinics and mentoring partnerships throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. As a Deputy Director, her primary goal is to ensure staff attorneys zealously advocate for their clients. Dondell was an influence as a member of the design team that created her office’s holistic defense model. She has a strong passion for the community and has helped organize and manage several community events.
Dondell is a graduate of Tuskegee University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She currently resides in Douglasville with her husband Jeremi and daughters.
Dondell Patterson is an Attorney with over 13 years of legal experience. She is currently a Deputy Director for the City of Atlanta Office of the Public Defender where she focuses on Holistic Advocacy. Dondell is responsible for overseeing community outreach, which includes several legal clinics and mentoring partnerships throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. As a Deputy Director, her primary goal is to ensure staff attorneys zealously advocate for their clients. Dondell was an influence as a member of the design team that created her office’s holistic defense model. She has a strong passion for the community and has helped organize and manage several community events.
Dondell is a graduate of Tuskegee University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She currently resides in Douglasville with her husband Jeremi and daughters.
2005 Brighten Academy Founding Board
Kelly Cadman
Founding board president, educator, parent
Lisa McDonald
Founding board vice president, gifted educator, parent
Tonya Pittman
Founding board secretary, pathologist
Dana Pace
Founding board treasurer, gifted educator
Kali Boatright
Founding board member, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce, parent
Wynette Dato
Founding board member, fundraising, parent
Teresa Myers
Founding board member, marketing chair, parent
Polly Wallace
Founding board member, fundraising chair, parent
John King
Founding board member, C&M Bank
Kelly Cadman
Founding board president, educator, parent
Lisa McDonald
Founding board vice president, gifted educator, parent
Tonya Pittman
Founding board secretary, pathologist
Dana Pace
Founding board treasurer, gifted educator
Kali Boatright
Founding board member, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce, parent
Wynette Dato
Founding board member, fundraising, parent
Teresa Myers
Founding board member, marketing chair, parent
Polly Wallace
Founding board member, fundraising chair, parent
John King
Founding board member, C&M Bank
