D’Andrea L. Williams (DeeDee) is thrilled to lead Elevate Louisville as its Executive Director! She is passionate about helping others and brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and a fun approach to this role! She believes in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone’s ideas and contributions are valued. As an education professional with over 20 years of experience in diverse academic settings, she supports and advances all students’ holistic development. Specifically, her efforts have been towards the successful transition of first-year college students and helping students navigate life after high school. Furthermore, her research emphasizes the impact of mentoring on student engagement, persistence/retention, and completion, particularly for minoritized and marginalized student populations. She is a Doctoral Candidate in the Higher Education Leadership program at Indiana State University (ISU). She also holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management, an M.S. in School Counseling from Indiana University Southeast (IUS), and certification in P-12 school counseling. Beyond the role of Executive Director, she remains deeply committed to giving back to her community and striving to create a more equitable and compassionate society. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, cooking, baking, and making each day memorable!

David Thomas is an inspiring and dedicated Teacher Mentor with a deep passion for guiding and empowering young individuals! He firmly believes in every young person’s potential and is committed to helping them unlock their talents, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.

Known for his warm and approachable personality and empathetic nature, he establishes a strong connection with youth, serving as a role model and confidant. His passion for youth developed through his own challenges and experiences in high school. He shares that his life is a great example of “what to do and what not to do.” Therefore, he is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals, helping them discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and become confident, resilient, and successful contributors to society. Beyond the role of a Teacher Mentor, David is an ordained Pastor with over 10 years of experience actively engaged in community outreach initiatives by partnering with schools, organizations, and local leaders to advocate for young people’s needs, guiding and nurturing them on their spiritual journey, and helping them navigate their challenges.

Lauryn A McWhorter is excited to serve as Teacher Mentor with Elevate Louisville. She is a passionate advocate for equity, social justice, and community development. With a deep belief in the importance of a holistic approach to education, she strives to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the support and resources necessary to thrive.

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Lauryn has been dedicated to addressing systemic barriers and fostering environments where diversity is celebrated. She is particularly focused on supporting disadvantaged students and equipping them with the tools they need to navigate educational and professional challenges. Lauryn believes that relationship-building is a critical component of this process, and she strives to connect with students in ways that are meaningful and impactful.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville and is set to graduate in the summer of 2025 with a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Diversity Management and Leadership.

Beyond her role as a Teacher Mentor, she is an active member of her church where she serves as an associate minister, youth worker, and choir member. She is excited about the future and she is eager to contribute her skills and passion to improving the lives of students and families in her community.