Tennessee Board of Directors

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.

More info to come!

More info to come!

Based in La Vergne, Jeff Brown brings a wealth of expertise in talent management, employee engagement, coaching, organizational development, and customer service. With a strong background in human resources, Jeff has developed a proven track record of fostering workplace success through effective training and leadership strategies.

Currently serving as the Career Services Director at Tennessee State University and Divisional Training Manager at Dollar General, Jeff leverages his extensive experience to guide students and alumni in achieving their professional goals while building meaningful employer partnerships.

Jeff holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a focus on Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, solidifying his foundation as a skilled and strategic human resources professional. With a passion for developing people and a commitment to excellence, Jeff continues to drive positive change in every organization they serve.

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.

Before his time as President and CEO, Dr. Hildreth was the Dean of the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis, the Director of the Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, and a Professor of Pharmacology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

In August of 2011, Dr. Hildreth became Dean of the College of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Davis. He was the first African-American dean in the university’s over 100 year history. Dr. Hildreth was also appointed as a tenured professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology as well as Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the UC Davis School of Medicine

Dr. Hildreth has received numerous awards over his career for mentoring, leadership and his efforts related to diversity. In October, 2008, he was honored for his contributions to medical science by election to the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious biomedical and health policy advisory group in the U.S. In May of 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Hildreth has been inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars. He currently serves on the Harvard University Board of Overseers.

He holds an MD from Johns Hopkins, a Phd. in Immunology from Oxford which he received as a Rhodes Scholar (as the first African American Rhodes Scholar from Arkansas) , and a BS in Chemistry from Harvard University.

Dr. Hildreth has been married to his wife Phyllis Drennon King for 36 years. They have two children: Sophia, a captain and attorney in the U.S. Army and James, who is continuing studies at the University of Oregon, Eugene.

Dr. Diarese George is the CEO, Founder and Board Chairman for the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Recruitment for the Nashville Teacher Residency. Previously, he taught for five years as a high school Career Technical Education teacher, with a focus on business. Additionally, he has completed education leadership fellowships for Education Pioneers, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), Hope Street Group, and the Mosaic Fellowship, which connects and empowers education leaders of color across the state of Tennessee. Dr. George holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Corporation Communications from Austin Peay State University. He also received an MBA and Doctorate in Education Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

Mr. Green formulates the overall strategic direction for Green & Little and oversees day-to-day business operations at the asset management level. Mr. Green has eleven years of experience in real estate finance, acquisitions, dispositions, property management, asset management, and sales.

Mr. Green earned both a BS in Finance in 2007 and a Master’s in Real Estate Development in 2018 from Auburn University. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and NAIOP. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and three children.

Abby is a Managing Partner and Financial Planner at MML Investors Services LLC, member SIPC.

Prior to this position, she was a financial planner at Capital Financial Group, a financial Service Professional at Franklin Morris. Abby enjoys her work in financial services, converting complicated planning into a simple plan. And at the root of her work, she enjoys helping others.

Abby has an MBA from Trinity University, and a B.A. in Art History and Italian from Syracuse University. She has roots in Nashville, graduating from Harpeth Hall High School.

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.