Meet Our Team
Anita Farsad, EXECutive Director
Anita is an international education development and instructional design professional from the United States. As Director, Anita stewards LEAD’s strategic thinking, fundraising, and relationship building while leading day-to-day operational and program management. Prior to joining LEAD, Anita worked as an Adult Learning Specialist at Training Resources Group, where she developed learning solutions for USAID's Center for Education, USAID Mission staff, the World Bank, and the US Forest Service. Previously, she worked in Morocco as a primary school and English teacher and as the Resident Director for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) language exchange program. Anita holds a Master's degree in International Education from George Washington University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Anita lives in Washington, DC and is an avid reader, writer, and language learner.
Daniela Bolanos, Program Assistant
As Program Assistant, Daniela facilitates the organization's operations while providing invaluable support to its programs and fundraising endeavors. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for education, Daniela has been an integral part of various non-profit organizations during her undergraduate years, including the Phillips Brooks House Association, where she developed and implemented enriching curriculum for summer programming. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Harvard University, Daniela brings a unique perspective to her work, drawing on her understanding of human behavior and learning. Beyond her professional work, Daniela finds joy in artistic expression, viewing art as a transformative medium capable of both teaching and healing. Based in Chicago, IL, she enjoys immersing herself in the city's diverse neighborhoods, discovering great eats and trying out new outdoor activities.
JAMES KIAWOIN, Program Advisor
James is a public policy and social entrepreneurship expert from Liberia. Prior to joining LEAD Edu, James worked at our flagship Hub in Liberia, LEAD MFA, for two years. As our Program Advisor, he conducts on-site Hub quality checks, manages the Hub formation process for new Hubs, and builds partnerships for LEAD graduates' future opportunities from his base in Monrovia, Liberia. James is also the Country Manager, Liberia at Luminos Fund. James holds degrees from the African Leadership Academy, Colorado College (BA), and Princeton University (MPA).
Meet the incredible staff at the LEAD Hubs we support: LEAD MFA in Monrovia, Liberia and LEAD Morocco in El Mansouria, Morocco.
Our Board
WILLIAM SMITH, founder & Board chair
Will is a social entrepreneur from the United States. Since 2015, Will has either founded or co-founded three nonprofits and one social enterprise in the United States, Liberia, and Morocco, including LEAD Edu. Today, Will is the Founder & CEO of Charter Oak Advisory. Will holds an MSc in African Studies from Oxford University, a BA in Government and French from the College of William & Mary (Phi Beta Kappa), and a degree in social entrepreneurship from Santa Clara University. Will is a recipient of the Jerry Yeagley Award (2018) and Cordes Fellowship (2018), and he is one of 30 social impact practitioners serving on UNICEF and FC Barcelona's Working Group on Sport for Development.
NOMNDENI MDAKHI
Nomndeni is a serial entrepreneur from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. In 2009, she established Fusa Academy, a deejay school for girls aiming to expand female presence in the entertainment industry. In 2011, Nomndeni founded Edits Communications, a Johannesburg-based communications agency that specializes in PR, Experiential Branding, and Talent Marketing. Nomndeni lives in Jo'burg and speaks around the world on female entrepreneurship in Africa.
IMAD IZEMRANE
Imad was born in Rabat, Morocco, and grew up in the Netherlands. After completing his education and working as a Civil Engineer in The Hague, he relocated to the United States in 2004. In 2015, Imad established Spring Place and assumed the role of its acting President. Spring Place is a collaborative workspace and membership club that caters to a global community engaged in the business of contemporary culture. In 2021, Imad founded N4XT Experiences, an immersive live events company involved in fashion, beauty, health, and computer gaming. Beyond his professional endeavors, Imad is a dedicated philanthropist who deeply understands the transformative impact of combining quality education and sports. Currently, he resides in Los Angeles, California.
Steve Miller
Steve is a sports marketing and social impact expert based in the United States. After starting his career as a Head Coach of Track & Field and Athletic Director at several US universities, Steve joined Nike in 1991. He rose to become Nike’s Director of Global Sports Marketing, overseeing Nike’s $100 million investment in the 2000 Olympic Games and signing global superstars such as Michael Jordan. In addition to his work at Nike, Steve sits on several boards and is a member of five Halls of Fame. Today, Steve is the CEO of Agassi Graf Holdings.
GRAHAM ALBERT
Graham was a student-athlete at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, USA from 1999-2003. In addition to his background as a footballer, Graham has always been passionate about coaching, development, education, and administration. Graham lives and works in New York City as a financial analyst at MP Securitized Credit Partners, an investment fund specializing in mortgage bonds.
OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
LEYMAH GBOWEE
2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker and women's rights advocate. She is Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia. Leymah is best known for leading a nonviolent movement that brought together Christian and Muslim women to play a pivotal role in ending Liberia's fourteen-year civil conflict in 2003. This historic achievement paved the way for the election of Africa's first female head of state, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
MUBUSO ZAMCHIYA
Mubuso is Managing Director of Luminos Fund, a philanthropic fund that unlocks the light within every child by helping them get a good education. The Fund currently operates in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Lebanon. Mubuso is also Co-Founder of the BOOST Fellowship, which, for seventeen years, has been helping young Zimbabwean men and women discover their potential for leadership. Mubuso studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
KELY NASCIMENTO-DELUCA
Born in Santos, Brazil, Kely Nascimento-Deluca is a mom, activist and artist. She is the eldest daughter of Brazilian football legend Pelé. Kely attended the United Nations International School and the Parsons School of Design. She lectures on gender equality in sports and is a fierce believer in the power of arts and sports as tools for activism, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. . She is currently working on Warriors of a Beautiful Game, a documentary and global initiative to promote women’s football and gender equality globally.
Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott has been a champion and a leader his entire life: on the field, in the board room and most importantly, in the community. Ronnie’s legendary football career included four Super Bowl titles and 10 Pro-Bowl appearances. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. While playing for the 49ers Ronnie made a commitment to giving back by founding All Stars Helping Kids in 1989, who’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of poverty and encourage innovation by seed funding start-up nonprofits in the Bay Area.
Jill Ellis
Jill Ellis is the former Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team and a 2-time FIFA World Coach of the Year. She is the only coach to have won the Women’s World Cup twice. In previous roles, Ellis served as the Assistant Coach of the U.S. Women's National Team, as well as the Head Coach of UCLA and the University of Illinois. She played college soccer at the College of William & Mary, where she was named an All-American and earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Composition. As a girl growing up in the UK in the 1970s, Ellis was routinely denied the opportunity to play football. That changed at the age of 15, and she embarked on a journey that would bring her to the height of women's sport. She is an incredible role model for LEAD’s student-athletes.
Ciarra ParDo
Ciarra Pardo is a 360 creative with expertise in brand and business development. She consulted as the Creative Director for Geffen Records and Island Def Jam before launching her first production company, Les Enfants Terribles, with Photographer & Director Anthony Mandler, and her second company, a creative services agency, Gravite Creative. During this time, Ciarra collaborated with high-level talent within the entertainment space, and after 10 years of running her own agency, 9 of which were spent working creatively with Rihanna, she moved in to work exclusively on Fenty Corp as Chief Creative Officer. For the last 5 years Ciarra lead creative on all Fenty Corp ventures while still operating as the musician’s personal creative director. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Ciarra has shifted focus to her latest venture as President and Founder of Mi Ojo, a creative and branding agency.
Misha Sher
Born in Ukraine and educated in the United States, Sher had a short stint as a professional footballer and a banker with Brown Brothers Harriman before embarking on a successful career as a sports marketing executive. Sher is best known for his work with top athletes in developing their personal brand, having advised some of the biggest names in world sport including Pelé, Mesut Özil, Brian Lara, Eniola Aluko and Vinicius Jr, to name a few. He is an avid and vocal supporter of women’s sport as a vehicle to develop more confident women and a more gender equal society. He is a published author, board director at European Sponsorship Association, and holds an MBA in Football Industries. Based in London, Sher is currently the Global Vice-President at MediaCom Sport & Entertainment, an award-winning division of MediaCom (WPP Group).
Bill duffy
Bill Duffy founded and is Chairman & CEO of BDA Sports Management. He represents more than 40 NBA players, including 34 first-round picks, 20 Lottery picks, 6 #1 overall draft picks, and currently represents more than 100 professional basketball players internationally. He was a standout basketball player in his own right and was named Santa Clara University’s 1982 Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was selected in the 5th round of the 1982 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Duffy has served on the boards of numerous educational, healthcare, and charitable organizations, including Santa Clara’s Board of Trustees, the I Have a Dream Foundation, and the Brain Trust Committee. He was also selected to the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Renaissance Leaders at Morehouse College.