Tennessee Board of Trustees

April Taylor is an engineer who grew up solving problems with people. April brings more than 10 years of Human Capital experience, including strategy, program development, talent acquisition, and coaching.

April Taylor is a board member for the Kelley School of Business’ Alumni Association, member of Indiana University's Black Philanthropy Circle, and volunteer for NSBE Jr.'s FIRST Lego League. April is also the former Alumni Trustee for the Consortium for Graduate Study of Management and a member of the Speed Museum's Board of Governors.

She supports Rocketship because education provides access. She believes children's access to life's future opportunities should start with a quality education, regardless of where they live! Education has afforded her access to opportunities she never knew were possible.

She holds a Bachelor in Science of Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University; a Master in Science of Software Engineering from Brandeis University and an Master in Business Administration in Organizational Management from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Rob Elliott currently serves as a member of the Rocketship Tennessee Board of Trustees. He is President of Stansell Electric Company and has a long-standing passion for creating opportunity for children in economically challenged environments. Rob began his career in investment banking in Boston and New York working with middle market companies on M&A and corporate finance transactions. He attended The University of Virginia and received an undergraduate business degree in finance and marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce.

Henderson Majors is an accomplished Art Teacher at Montgomery Bell Academy, where he inspires students with his passion for visual arts. With a strong background in both teaching and artistic practice, Henderson has taught art at every educational level, from middle school to Advanced Placement, achieving a remarkable 95% pass rate in AP Art. His students have earned numerous national art awards, reflecting his dedication to fostering creativity and excellence.
Henderson holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lipscomb University and a Bachelor of Science in Fine and Studio Arts from Tennessee State University. As a visual artist, he specializes in abstract and stylized paintings, and his work has been featured in various murals and commissioned pieces throughout the Nashville area.

More info to come!

Based in Nashville, Malick Gaye is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in public relations, social media strategy, policy analysis, and public service. As the current Director of Public Relations and Social Media for the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Malick leads innovative communications initiatives that amplify the Chamber’s mission, engage the community, and support Nashville's thriving business environment.

Prior to this role, Malick served as a Policy Analyst and Legislative Assistant for the Tennessee General Assembly, where he developed expertise in legislative processes, policy research, and strategic communication. His career began with a distinguished tenure as a Combat Medic in the U.S. Army, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and resilience under pressure.

Malick is a proud graduate of the University of Memphis, where he honed his skills in communication, policy, and leadership. His unique combination of military discipline, legislative insight, and public relations acumen makes him a dynamic leader in both public and private sectors.

Passionate about fostering community growth and building impactful connections, Malick Gaye continues to be a driving force in shaping Nashville’s narrative and supporting its vibrant economy.

Kanika Covert is a dedicated advocate for education and community empowerment, based in Nashville. As an engaged parent at Rocketship Dream Community Prep, Kanika actively contributes to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for students and families.

In addition to her involvement at Rocketship Dream Community Prep, Kanika serves on the Metro Action Board of Commissioners, an initiative under the Mayor’s Office. In this role, she collaborates with community leaders to address critical issues such as Head Start, early pre-K education, rental assistance, utilities, mortgages, and summer youth programs. Kanika is a key member of the Kinder Readiness Committee, where she applies her expertise to develop strategies that support young learners and their families.

With a deep understanding of community resources, Kanika excels at connecting families to vital programs and services. Her proactive leadership and commitment to creating positive change make her an invaluable asset to the Nashville community.

John Eason is a seasoned attorney with over 12 years of experience as a Member at Bass, Berry & Sims, one of the nation’s leading law firms. Based in Nashville, John provides strategic legal counsel to clients, drawing on his deep expertise and commitment to excellence.

Before joining Bass, Berry & Sims, John served as a Judicial Clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he gained invaluable insight into federal judicial processes. His dedication to the law is rooted in a robust academic foundation, having earned his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University.

John’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to delivering thoughtful, results-driven legal solutions, making him a trusted advisor to his clients and a respected leader in the legal community.

Mr. Elbert is a Senior Partner at Neal and Harwell, PLC, a boutique litigation law firm in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, in 1978 with a double major in history and economics, and received his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1981.

Mr. Elbert is an experienced lawyer who has handled a wide variety of complex cases both at trial and on appeal, in both state and federal courts. He has two children, now grown, who are products of the Nashville public school system, and has a long history of involvement with local education issues and interest in the public charter school movement. He is an Elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church. In his spare time, he enjoys getting outdoors, biking and hiking in the beautiful rural areas and state parks of Tennessee.

June recently served as a correctional healthcare executive overseeing multi-site management of 12,000 patients and 800 employees. She volunteers with numerous organizations throughout TN including but not limited to Hands on Nashville, National Civil Rights Museum, and Habitat for Humanity.
Before Merry Maids, June served three years as the Regional Director of Operations at Dollar General. She led store operations within TN overseeing as many as 235 stores in Central Tennessee and Northern Alabama with 1,800 employees and up to $400 million in P&L. June was Nominated for 2017 Rookie of the Year as a top-performing Regional Director of Operations.
Before Dollar General, June was a nine year partner at Starbucks Coffee Company and served as Regional Director of Operations. She led store operations within TN overseeing 92 stores. She managed a team of district managers to create and maintain the Starbucks Experience for partners and customers.
Prior to joining Starbucks, June spent thirteen years with Darden Restaurants and held numerous positions including General Manager, Divisional Training Manager and Director of Operations. She restored profitability and success to several restaurants and reduced turnover through improved consistency of caring and fairness principles in personnel practices. As GM, she was one of fourteen chosen to sit on the President’s Council. June holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors with Hands on Nashville . In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family , friends, and chocolate lab named Lucky, traveling, sampling food and wine pairs while exploring breathtaking locations.