Demetric L. Hillman is an accomplished leader with more than 18 years of experience in global clinical research and a strong foundation in education. She currently serves as Senior Global Clinical Project Manager II, where she directs complex international clinical trials, manages cross-functional teams, and drives operational excellence, business development, and regulatory compliance.

Her professional journey began in the environmental research and chemistry field before transitioning to the classroom, where she taught middle and high school science and later served as faculty in Anatomy and Physiology. At Augusta University, she advanced into higher education as a Clinical Research Training Coordinator. As a visionary leader, Demetric is also a dedicated mentor, trainer, and advocate for diversity in clinical research—developing curriculum, facilitating training programs, and championing community engagement to broaden representation in clinical trials and reduce health disparities. Her dual expertise in education and science uniquely positions her to foster academic innovation, curriculum development, and real-world learning opportunities.

Demetric is also deeply engaged in community service, having served on the Augusta University Community Engagement and Outreach Advisory Board, the Family Y Executive Board, and several educational advisory boards. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she has a long-standing commitment to mentorship, equity, and student success.

With her background as both an educator and research leader, Demetric brings vision, strategy, and a passion for student-centered growth to her role as a Founding Board Member of the charter school.

Alena Conley is an executive coach, writer, and cultural strategist passionate about identity-driven leadership and education. As the founder of The Reminder Remedy™ Coaching Company and creator of the Lifecrafting™ and Identity OS™ frameworks, she equips high-achieving individuals and organizations to align authenticity with performance. With over 15 years of experience in organizational and talent development—including roles at JPMorgan Chase, The Lip Bar, and The Kyra Company—Alena brings deep expertise in curriculum design, leadership development, and cultural transformation. A mother of four and a lifelong advocate for holistic learning, she is committed to creating inclusive environments that nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and personal sovereignty. Her work bridges positive psychology, human design, and modern workplace strategy, making her a unique voice in shaping the future of identity-centered education.

James F. Austin III brings over a decade of executive leadership experience in Georgia’s public schools, where he has served as Chief Financial Officer and currently as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. In these roles, he has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, capital planning, school safety, facilities management, transportation, and nutrition services—ensuring schools operate efficiently while staying centered on student success. James has led strategic initiatives that strengthened financial sustainability, improved operational systems, and positioned districts to thrive despite resource challenges.

As a founding board member, James leverages his expertise in education finance and operations to help establish a strong foundation for growth. His experience balancing fiscal responsibility with innovative school design provides valuable guidance as the school prepares to deliver a world-class PK–12 education to Georgia students.

James earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Morehouse College and a master’s in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and is pursuing advanced credentials in accounting and educational leadership, as well as a doctoral degree at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Above all, he is most proud of being a dedicated father to his two children, Taylor and Tyler.

Hyla-Monét Penn is an expert in leadership and organizational development with 18 years of experience in education, including 12 years leading a K-8 charter school and network. A proud graduate of Spelman College with a Master of Arts in Elementary Education, she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Organizational Development. Hyla-Monét’s deep understanding of leadership dynamics, along with her passion for empowering others, drives her work at H-Monét Penn Consulting, LLC, where she coaches leaders across education, non-profit, business, and local government. Her leadership approach balances heart and strategy, helping organizations build high-performing teams and create sustainable impact. Hyla-Monét’s work is rooted in a human-centered philosophy, emphasizing the development of adaptive leadership skills and the cultivation of positive organizational cultures. Outside of her consulting work, Hyla-Monét is a dedicated wife to Jonathon and mother to three children: Havyn-Jolé, (17) an incoming freshman at Georgia Tech, Jaxon (10), and Jagger (6). She’s also a workout enthusiast and a sports superfan, especially when it comes to football and basketball. As an active member of her community, Hyla-Monét is dedicated to striking a balance between her family, fitness, and professional endeavors, all while inspiring others to lead with purpose and authenticity.

Dr. Orlando McCleod is a senior-level consultant in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, specializing in program development and clinical management. With more than 30 years of research experience, he has led over 50 clinical studies across Phases I–IV, both domestically and internationally.

He brings more than 25 years of clinical expertise across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including liver disease, oncology, asthma, COPD, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. His experience spans complex study designs, including open-label, double-blind, and crossover trials, as well as endpoint management and device studies.

Dr. McCleod has held leadership roles with companies such as UCB, Abbott, and CSL Pharmaceuticals, and has extensive experience in contract negotiation, budgeting, and vendor oversight. He has also served on multiple health-related boards, including Howard Brown Health and the Atlanta Medical Center Institutional Review Board. He currently resides in Atlanta and is excited to join the board, bringing his depth of experience to support the mission and growth of The School of Curious Minds.

Clarissa L. Weaver serves as Deputy Director of Community Investment Services (First Vice President) at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, where she has built a distinguished career since 2006. She provides strategic leadership for all Community Investment programs—including the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), Multifamily Housing Bridge Fund, and Workforce Housing Plus+—driving mission alignment, risk oversight, and long-term growth.

Clarissa earned her Master of Public Administration (Management and Finance concentration) from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Spelman College. She has also completed leadership training through Pathbuilders Percepta and Achieva programs and United Way’s Board Member Training initiative.

Clarissa is also deeply committed to community service, serving as Angel Tree Chair for FHLBank Atlanta’s Community Involvement Committee, Board Member and Treasurer for Building Strong Futures, Inc., and volunteer with Kate’s Club.

Mia Thomas, MBA, DS is a financial and data analytics leader specializing in financial planning, forecasting, and the design of modern financial systems that drive visibility, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Throughout her career, she has supported organizations in strengthening financial reporting, improving data accuracy, and leading system integrations across platforms such as Oracle NetSuite, SAP, and Workday. As Founder of AIM Analytics, she focuses on building scalable systems that integrate forecasting, reporting, and performance tracking to support informed decision-making.

As a founding board member of The School of Curious Minds, Mia brings a strong focus on financial oversight, data visibility, and strategic planning. She is committed to ensuring transparency and sustainability as the school grows. Mia holds an MBA from Kaplan University, a BBA in Accounting from Tennessee State University, and a Data Science certification.