Our Facilitators

BRANDEN WILLIAMS
Educate to Innovate is not merely a slogan Branden Williams uses to motivate burgeoning young minds; it is his life’s work. As Founder and Lead Imagineer of Seeds 2 STEM, a social enterprise located in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, Branden tirelessly works to successfully evaluate, educate, and develop students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. At Seeds 2 STEM, he guides students from low to moderate-income families in reshaping their opinions on science. Branden firmly believes that despite a considerable disparity, our nation must improve our students’ mastery of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) if it is to reclaim its position as the world leader in innovation and technology. The business, education, and STEM communities must collaborate strategically to leverage their industries for the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy in the future. A graduate from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor´s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After a successful seven-year career in Laboratory Animal Medicine, he relocated to Dallas, where he has instructed at various educational institutions in the areas of Biology and Chemistry. Always committed to making a lifelong impact, he instills the seeds of excellence in the lives of economically disadvantaged youth that he’s confident will flourish in the future

Saki Milton

An experienced educator and international STEM advocate, Saki Milton brings more than 20 years of mathematics education experience to the broader STEM education community. Saki has 8.5 years of mathematics classroom teaching in diverse settings, including public, public charter, and international schools. Saki is a certified Lumina Practitioner in Lumina Spark and has delivered leadership and self-awareness workshops across the U.S. for nonprofits and corporations. She is the founder and Executive Director of The GEMS Camp, Girls interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science and was honored as a 2021 Women Who STEAM Hidden Figure by the Dallas Links chapter. She also has in-depth industry experience in key roles for top education companies such as SAVVAS Learning Company (formerly Pearson K12 Learning), Texas Instruments, and Kaplan. Saki holds an MBA in Marketing from Southern Methodist University and a BA in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin. She is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce preparing girls and women of color for future STEM studies and careers. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in education from Southern Methodist University. Her research interest in STEM education is to study the design of informal learning environments situated within Black and brown girls’ (grades 6-12) learning ecosystems. She is curious about the effects of various interventions that impact underrepresented and underserved girls’ attitudes, confidence, interests, and choices in STEM career pathways in order to alleviate disparities associated with the intersectionality of race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Tracie Douglas

Tracie is a Senior Technology Leader with over twenty-five (25) years industry experience.  She has a passion for science, innovation, and technology.  She is an out of the box thinker and enjoys developing solutions that solves some of today’s issues.  She lives by her personal mantra to encourage, motivate, and inspire others.

Dawud Mabon

Since 2016 Dawud Mabon has been speaking, and training business professionals on leadership. Dawud is focused on leadership development for business owners, business leaders and non-profit organizations. Dawud also has a passion for financial stewardship and is the author of the book For God Loves A Cheerful Giver.

His volunteer work includes Leadership Arlington, and The Arlington Highlands Rotary. Dawud is a member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, and BNI Texas Referral Rangers.

Dawud has been married to his college sweetheart Tolu for 21 years, and he is the personal chauffeur to his 3 children Lola, Nathan, and Noah sporting and academic events.

Chonnie B. Richey

Since 2010, Chonnie Richey has served in various leadership roles including COO/CFO of a healthcare organization and Founder of the non-profit Independence Gardens. As a John Maxwell Team Leadership Coach and Speaker, she continuous to share her experiences with others on the value of the imperfect leader.

Through active collaboration, engagement, and communication, Chonnie continuous to develop
business professionals and students into effective leaders that make a positive impact within their organizations, professional life, and their communities.

Chonnie received her degree from Texas Tech University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is currently completing her Masters of Public Health degree from George Washington University. Chonnie has been married for 19 years and is the cheerleader for her greatest accomplishment: her three children, Sofia, Kara and Lachlan.