MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
Our dedicated team is devoted to uplifting and empowering underserved communities. By utilizing our unique skills, passions, and experiences, we are shape the work of our Nonprofit Organization to best serve those who have been structurally disadvantaged. We will always strive to craft programs that reflect the demands of the communities that we serve. Meet some of our incredible leaders and our board of directors below!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Eric Licona
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Director
Eric Licona, a graduate of Antioch High School, earned his Mechanical Engineering degree with a focus on Robotics and Automation from Georgia Tech. As a Technical Program Manager, he has contributed to multimillion-dollar projects, including automotive manufacturing lines, the Pixel Tablet at Google, mobile robotics at Amazon, and Spot at Boston Dynamics. As Executive Director of LAUNCH Mentorship, Eric draws on his experience as a first-generation college student, along with his strategic leadership and project management expertise, to tackle educational inequities. He is committed to guiding Metro-Nashville students toward college and career success while expanding LAUNCH into a national program that empowers underserved youth.
Dr. Frank Dobson
Chairperson
Director
Frank E. Dobson, Jr., Ph.D., is the Chief Diversity Officer at Otterbein University. Formerly Associate Dean of Students and Associate Dean of the Ingram Commons at Vanderbilt University and Design Coach at Bowling Green State University, his alma mater, Frank has served in numerous capacities in higher education, including as a tenured faculty member and headed up diversity and inclusion efforts at several schools. A published writer and scholar, Frank has novels, scholarly essays, and nonfiction to his credit. Most recently, he has published on Black popular culture and film, examining such figures as Spike Lee, Clint Eastwood, James Edwards, Woody Strode, and others. Frank has served on several boards and is committed to helping our youth excel. He believes that social justice can be furthered through communication, empathy, faith, and grace toward one another
Fares Ali
Co-Founder
Director
Fares Ali is a native Nashvillian and a graduate of Antioch High School. Having grown up in the midst of many different cultures, Fares strives to emphasize the importance of different perspectives in the world. Fares earned his BA in Political Science & Sociology from Vanderbilt University and is currently pursuing his JD at Harvard Law School. Along with Eric, Fares pursues his passion for mentorship, learning, and community building through LAUNCH Mentorship, his work in the legal field, and beyond.
Michele Bendekovic
Director
Formerly from Pittsburgh, PA, Michele is the talent advisor and coach at international law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. In that role, she provides career development strategies and support to drive performance and enrich the attorney experience. She also serves as a trusted adviser to firm leadership regarding talent matters. Michele holds a MA in Personnel Administration and Industrial Relations from St. Francis University and a BA in History from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has completed additional coursework in mental health awareness, coaching, and project management. Michele sits on the board of Advancing Women in Nashville and serves as the Advancing Leaders Chair. She also sits on the board and serves as secretary of Jazz Empowers whose mission is to transform the lives of youth in underserved schools through jazz education. She is passionate about working with students and LAUNCH provides a platform to continue that outreach.
Tanaka Vercher
Director
Tanaka Vercher has spent her professional and political career working to increase educational opportunities for young people in Nashville. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a mother of two former MNPS students, Tanaka knows first-hand the significant impact education has in shaping a person’s opportunities in life. Tanaka has also served on the Metro Council since 2015, representing District 28 in Southeast Davidson County. Beyond her service as a Metro Council member, Tanaka actively invests her time in the community through a variety of organizations, including a number of education-related initiatives. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for several local nonprofit organizations, including CASA, Knowledge Academies, and the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Tanaka is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Nashville chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Tanaka has her B.S. in Management Information Systems and M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Trevecca Nazarene University; additionally, she has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Tennessee State University and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Administration.
Dr. Shawn Joseph
Director
Dr. Shawn Joseph’s passion for equity and social justice is a result of his college experience working with students who had reading difficulties. He has served in a number of positions in the world of education. A native of Long Island, NY, he has been an English teacher, reading specialist, school administrator, central office administrator, and superintendent in Delaware (Seaford School District) and Tennessee (Metro Nashville Public Schools). He served on the faculty of Fordham University in the Department of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy during the 2019-2020 school year and is currently Co-Director of the AASA/Howard Urban Superintendent Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy Studies at Howard University.
Oscar Hernandez
Treasurer
Director
Oscar Hernandez, an Antioch High School alumnus, is a first-generation college graduate with a passion for accounting and mentorship. After earning a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, he completed a Master’s in Accountancy with a concentration in Taxation. Currently beginning his career as a tax accountant, Oscar is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to the LAUNCH Mentorship board. Dedicated to helping students grow into young professionals and navigate their options after graduation, he looks forward to making a meaningful impact and empowering future generations through mentorship.
Aaron Wolff
Secretary
Director
Aaron teaches Global Supply Chain Management at Georgetown University, where he also serves on the Advisory Board for the Supply Chain Management master's program. He is also the Head of Growth at a property technology startup. Previously, Aaron was a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he launched technology to track, manage, and analyze $1B in annual funding for R&D initiatives across all modes of transportation. Throughout his career, Aaron has lived and worked internationally, leading multiple federal and commercial supply chain programs. Aaron has an MBA from Duke University and a BS in mechanical engineering from University of Delaware.
Justin Hay
Director
Justin Hay leverages his background in both finance and law as a corporate associate at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC in Nashville, where he advises public companies on capital markets transactions and corporate governance matters. Justin’s journey as a legal professional includes experience leading clients through financial transactions such as initial public offerings and debt offerings. Prior to entering the legal field, Justin served in various financial planning and analysis roles within the healthcare industry. As a former collegiate athlete, Justin understands the importance of balancing personal passions with academic success. Justin aims to draw on his professional experience to help others navigate their educational and career paths. Justin holds a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and a B.B.A. in Finance from Belmont University