An advocate for local families for over 10 years, Karriejoi Coit is a spirited supporter of educating, navigating, and coordinating community support for those in need. In her previous roles, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of programming as well as fundraising and fiscal management. During her tenure at Unity Community Center’s Second Ward Initiative, Karriejoi spent time working alongside a variety of partners and stakeholders. She also reviewed curriculum and developed educational programs. Karriejoi holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Human Services from Wilberforce University.

Amber Harris is the founder of Bridgn Gaps LLC an educational and consulting agency specializing in trauma and adoption support, focusing on empowering, educating, and advocating through the healing power of relationships. Currently Amber partners with Mentor Central Ohio & Big Brothers Big Sisters providing trainings and curriculum development were she has conducted multiple trainings surrounding trauma, building healthy relationships, and youth empowerment with a long list of agencies including Columbus Public Schools, Dennison University, Ohio State Young Scholars, Nationwide, Columbus Police Department, I know I can, and many more. Amber is a licensed social worker and certified adoption competent therapist. Currently she provides mental health trauma focused therapy with United Methodist Children’s Home. Amber obtained an Associate Degree from Columbus State Community College in Early Childhood Development, a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Social Work from Ohio Dominican University and Master Degree in Human Development Services from the University of Dayton. She is a dedicated and hardworking social worker with over 20 years of experience with a diverse population as a therapist, trainer, and advocate for youth and families. Amber is recognized by peers and supervisors as a creative, energetic leader who has desire for continuous learning that thinks outside of the box. Amber has a published article “The Healing Power of Relationships” in Fostering Families Today. March/April 2018. Amber believes the most important gift that you can give a person is the capacity to form and maintain relationships. Amber has been a foster parent and is an adoptive mother. She has witnessed the healing power of relationships.

Z. F. Taylor is a native of New Jersey, husband to Evangelist Luanda Daniels-Taylor & full time Father to four sons, William (27), Michael (25), Miles (14) & Xander (12). He has also been a mentor to over 1000 youth and young adults in several states. Z.F. is a trainer and consultant who adds abundant value to the team; collaborating to bring forth comprehensive & engaging conversations, training and solutions to the community. Z.F. has 30 years of working in public, private and non-profit sectors, spanning from educational domains to court systems. He has also seen the tangible outcomes of what happens when a team of mentors, teachers, families, communities and peers work together for the benefit of youth and young adults. From business owners to high earning scholars, Z.F. has had the opportunity to offer structured support and see amazing results stem from his efforts of being a mentor to these youth/young adults ranging from the ages of 5 to 35. He has witnessed their various levels of success first-hand. Previous roles include but are not limited to, Director of Student Success for Patriot Preparatory Academy (OH), Counselor for The Sunshine Center (KY) for court appointed youth, Executive Director for South Frankfort Community Center (KY), Lead Mentor for Lead the Way Learning Academy (OH), as well as various other roles within the community.

Saryn Cranston stepped into their role as Resource & Program Support Specialist at MENTOR Central Ohio in March of 2022. Saryn holds a M.S. in Clinical Psychology, and has previous experience in a variety of settings related to the mental health field. They eagerly bring these perspectives into supporting mentoring organizations locally and throughout the state. Originally from upstate New York, they moved to southeast Ohio in 2010 and to Columbus in 2021. Outside of work, they can be found in nature, gaming, or in the kitchen.

Laurie Moline has been working to advance the mentoring movement since 2011 and has built strong mentoring relationships with many young people in her community of Stark County (Canton), Ohio. She is the founder/executive director of MentorStark, a non-profit focused on building collaboration between mentoring programs in Stark County and providing career-based mentoring connections and social capital building support for young adults ages 15-26. Laurie's previous role was as a contracted director of the Get Connected program of United Way of Greater Stark County, a career-based mentoring program that was started by the United Way Women's Leadership Council under Laurie's leadership as chairwoman. Laurie graduated from Miami University with a bachelor of arts in Mass Communications with a focus on broadcast journalism and media management. She spent the first 25 years of her career as a writer, producer, communications manager, and business owner, skills that now serve her well as a non-profit leader, social innovator and consultant for Mentor of Central Ohio. Laurie is a graduate of the 33rd class of Leadership Stark County, and a member of the Stark County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Stark County Job and Family Services Planning Committee, and the Family Planning and Adolescent Health Committee in Stark County. She believes strongly in the power of connected communities and is passionate about building community infrastructures that allow young people to explore opportunities, build relationships, step out of their comfort zones and share their voices to create positive change.