Meet the Leadership Team
Staff
Amber Scott is Founder and Executive Director of Leap Year. A child of first-generation college students, the importance of higher education and the power that it can have to raise a family out of poverty was instilled in Amber at a young age. She believes that the opportunity for higher education should be open to everyone, regardless of where they are born. After working in the nonprofit sector for ten years, she founded Leap Year to challenge the status quo. Amber is a 2018 Echoing Green Fellow, the 2019 winner of the $100,000 Jaffe Grand Prize, and was recognized by Black Enterprise as one of “25 Black Women Who Are Changing the World.” She holds a BA in neuroscience from Smith College, and an MBA in marketing from The Ohio State University.
Amber Enadeghe serves as a Program Manager with Leap Year. She is a third-generation resident of the Thomasville Heights neighborhood in Southeast Atlanta, GA and a graduate of Carver School of the Arts. Amber completed her undergraduate degree at Wesleyan University and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer School of Medicine. As a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and Marriage and Family Therapist, Amber is committed to creating opportunities that help young people recognize their strengths and develop their potential for leadership. Amber brings a strong belief in the power of intergenerational healing, creative expression, and consistent support to help students build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and develop the leadership tools necessary to thrive.
Anastasia Baldwin serves as a Program Manager at Leap Year. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Master’s degree in Education Technology from the University of West Georgia. After her undergraduate career, she went on to teach Elementary school for almost seven years. After stepping out of the classroom, Anastasia began working behind the scenes in Curriculum and Instruction. This is where she discovered her love for providing instruction to educators and constructing curriculum. As a first generation college graduate herself, she knows the value in a proper education. Anastasia looks forward to aiding other first generation students in becoming successful and college/career ready.
Brandon Tarver serves as a Program Manager here with Leap Year. Brandon is originally from Columbus, GA and left his hometown to attain his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Morehouse College. While at Morehouse College, Brandon spent several years working with students in his local West End community to help be the change that he wanted to see. Serving others and putting people before himself is always something he’s been passionate about. Brandon’s favorite quote is “People may forget what we say, may forget what we do, but they’ll never forget how we make them feel.”
Kyesha Davis serves as a Program Manager at Leap Year. As a Mississippi native, Kyesha earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Psychology from The University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work from The University of Alabama one year later. After graduation, Kyesha stepped foot into the nonprofit world, where she learned the importance of community development and social impact. She is driven by her genuine desire to make a difference. She believes in the power of collective action to address the most pressing issues, such as educational disparities, facing our communities.
Jossette Footmon-Smith, LMSW is the Program Director for Leap Year. She has an undergraduate degree in Human Services from Queens University of Charlotte and a Master of Social Work from Kennesaw State University. Josie has spent over 10 years as a nonprofit professional in the youth development space. She is passionate about bringing high quality programming, wellness, and SEL practices to the organizations she serves.
Vena Reed serves as a Program Manager at Leap Year. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in English with a minor in Psychology and is a first generation college graduate. She also obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a former educator with six years of experience and a background in Secondary Education. An active member of each school community, Vena served on various committees, coached Volleyball and Track and Field, co-advised the middle school kids of color affinity group, co-advised the Upper School Black affinity group, as well as other clubs and extracurricular activities. She is currently a doctoral student in Alabama State University’s Education Leadership, Policy, and Law program.