RootzGround & WingzFly

LaMarriol Smith is a seasoned professional in public relations, strategic communications, social media development, crisis communications, publication management and production, website management, public affairs, higher education administration, speech writing, public speaking, reporting and project management. She spent much of her career in positions in higher education and government service. She also is a Texas Municipal League Leadership Academy Fellow and former president of the Texoma Chapter of the American Association of University Women. Smith earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and her master's degree in public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin. 

Dr. Monica Iles is a seasoned educator and leader with over 34 years of experience in secondary and postsecondary education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Developmental Education from Grambling State University, with research focused on improving success and retention among first-year college students.

Dr. Iles began her career in Marketing Education and went on to serve 12 years as a Marketing Coordinator, where she led student achievement in competitive events and was recognized as DECA Advisor of the Year. She has spent the past 16 years as a high school counselor, supporting student development, academic success, and college readiness.

In addition to her work in education, Dr.

Iles serves as Board President of St. Hope Healthcare, where she helps guide strategic initiatives to expand access and improve health outcomes in underserved communities. She has also held leadership roles with the Marketing Educators of Texas, advocating for excellence and equity in career and technical education.

Dr. Iles is committed to service-driven leadership, with a career defined by advancing student success, strengthening communities, and fostering equitable opportunities.

Ameerah McBride,  Esq. is the Founding Partner of Trenton Makes Law, LLC, a boutique law firm based in Trenton, NJ representing clients in labor and employment disputes. Ameerah's past experience includes serving as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) where she led the organizational strategy for equity and inclusion. 

Prior to joining the AURA corporate office, Ameerah served as the Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equity and Inclusion at Texas State University as well as Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity & Access and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI.

A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Ameerah is a proud HBCU alum and serves as a board member of numerous community based organizations.

​Joshua Ellis is the Principal of Miller's Point Elementary, a Pre-K through 5th Grade campus in Converse, TX.  In his 21 years in public education he has taught High School English Language Arts, served as a District Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, and worked as a campus administrator at the Elementary, Middle, and High School Levels.  In these roles his focus and passion has been student literacy and supporting public educators with professional development and leadership to help them increase literacy with their own students.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Literature from Texas State University.

Gerry Altamirano is the Senior Manager for Workplace Diversity at AMN Healthcare, leading DEI initiatives and overseeing 10 Employee Resource Groups. Previously, he was a DEI Strategist at Tangible Development in New York, where he assessed and enhanced clients' DEI strategies. He also served as Assistant Dean and Director of the Disability Resource Center at the University of Florida, focusing on disability inclusion and accessibility.

Gerry lives in Dallas, TX, and is active in community leadership. He has served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for REACH, which supports people with disabilities, and is on the Board of the regional LGBTQ+ Resource Center. He holds a BA in Psychology from UT Arlington, a Master of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from UT Southwestern, and is completing a doctorate at the University of Florida. His research focuses on the impact of Employee Resource Groups on professional identity and social responsibility.

​Dr. John H. Richburg is the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Professor in Toxicology and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at UT Austin's College of Pharmacy. He also holds an affiliate professorship in Dell Medical School's Department of Oncology. Previously, he led the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, the Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology, and NIH/NIEHS-supported toxicology training programs. Dr. Richburg actively supports diversity in science through various programs, including co-directing NIH R25 programs and mentoring for NIH/GM MBRS. He has helped develop UT's LEADER, BOOT, and Early Career Fellowship programs to recruit and retain underrepresented trainees. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which environmental and chemotherapeutic agents disrupt male reproduction, aiming to predict and prevent human reproductive health risks. Dr. Richburg's work has received nearly continuous NIH funding for 27 years, totaling approximately $12 million.