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.

In Nashville, TN, financial planner Marcus Johnson has built a reputation on a powerful principle: every client's financial journey deserves the same care and precision as his own. Backed by a degree in Economics and Finance from Tennessee State University and a suite of licenses (Series 7, 66, life, and health), Marcus brings both expertise and genuine passion to the table. 

His career, spanning Wall Street and various financial firms, led him to establish Johnson Capital Planning, LLC, where he has since empowered over 500 clients with tailored strategies for long-term success. His achievements have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT) Court of the Table and recognition among Nashville's "40 Under 40" by Stay On The Go magazine. 

But Marcus's impact extends beyond finance. He actively serves on the boards of Awake Nashville and the Tennessee Aquatic Project and co-founded Black People Golf, demonstrating his commitment to community and connection. 

Marcus is known for his client-first approach: listening intently, educating thoroughly, and adapting investment plans to life's evolving landscape. This dedication has garnered him consistent recognition as a Top Producer in retirement planning since 2017 and leadership within the From the Heart Non-Profit. 

Adding another layer to his dynamic persona, Marcus is an accomplished jazz musician, sharing the stage with artists like Elle Varner and John Legend, and releasing his own album, Passion Speaks Louder. 

For those seeking a trusted financial partner, Marcus Johnson offers a compelling combination of expertise, integrity, and a deep commitment to guiding clients toward their financial vision.

Lawrence Harold is an educator at heart. He began his career as a classroom teacher and coach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He later transitioned to the corporate sector, serving as an instructional designer, curriculum manager, and professional development consultant for HCA Healthcare, Advanced Correctional Healthcare, and currently Tennessee Oncology.

Lawrence believes every child can succeed with access to high-quality schools and supportive learning environments. He is excited to join the Rocketship Schools board in Nashville to champion parents’ efforts to secure the best educational opportunities for their children.

Lawrence holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Pensacola Christian College and is pursuing a Master’s in Divinity from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Lawrence has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, and currently serves as the Missions Director for his church. He and his wife are the proud parents of two adult sons.

Alexis Elam, JD, CHC, brings more than 15 years of executive leadership in governance, regulatory oversight, and organizational integrity to the board. As Chief Compliance Officer at American Family Care (AFC), she oversees the enterprise compliance program across a national network of corporate and franchise locations, championing a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical stewardship.

Over her career, Alexis has built and led compliance and governance programs for organizations across healthcare and highly regulated industries, including roles as VP of Compliance at Beacon Healthcare Systems and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at One Homecare Solutions, a Humana company. Her work centers on strong oversight, sound decision-making, and doing right by the communities organizations serve.

Alexis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Belmont University and a Juris Doctorate from the Nashville School of Law. She is honored to support the school's mission and the students and families it serves.

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.