Founder and Principal

Aaron has spent over a decade building trauma-informed systems where healing and accountability coexist. He specializes in workforce development, organizational transformation, and community violence intervention, leading national projects on opportunity youth engagement, employer-led coalitions, and career pathways that center equity and sustainability.

Aaron's work is shaped by his intentionally cross-sector career. He began in federal service with TSA, spent seven years in corporate operations managing warehousing, training, and enterprise sales at W.W. Grainger, then moved into education and systems change work, teaching at an alternative school for court-involved youth and supporting re-entry programs in Fulton and Douglas County jails. Those early experiences taught him that systems fail people long before people fail systems, and that real change requires both care and structural repair.

He went on to manage the economic inclusion portfolio at the Partnership for Southern Equity and deepen his trauma-informed practice through leadership roles at CHRIS 180 and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. At CHRIS 180, Aaron led the Trauma Response Network, achieving a 50% reduction in violence in target neighborhoods, work that was featured on PBS NewsHour in 2021.

Aaron holds an MS in Community Health and Prevention Science from the University of Cincinnati, where his final portfolio became the foundation for his recently published prevention framework for trauma-informed workforce development. The framework synthesizes research and practice evidence from over 12 years managing $6M+ portfolios and training 1,000+ professionals across workforce development, community health, and violence prevention.

Today, his consulting work helps individuals reclaim power and organizations build cultures where sustainable belonging isn't aspirational, it's structural. Aaron's approach is rooted in the belief that transformation happens when we stop asking people to survive systems and start building systems that let people thrive.

VP of Violence Prevention & Collective Care

Janikqua is a visionary leader, strategist, and advocate dedicated to designing and scaling impactful community initiatives. With a deep commitment to social justice, community organizing, and capacity building, she has played a pivotal role in reimagining violence prevention efforts and fostering resilience in underserved communities. 

Currently serving as the inaugural Director of the Violence Prevention Program at Emory Hillandale Hospital, Janikqua leads innovative strategies to reduce violence and improve community well-being. Previously, she directed Atlanta’s first Cure Violence program, where she implemented evidence-based violence interruption strategies, strengthened cross-sector collaborations, and empowered community stakeholders. Janikqua has successfully launched and managed initiatives that address systemic inequities and is recognized nationally for her ability to cultivate partnerships, drive sustainable change, and advocate for holistic approaches to prevent harm and violence.  

Janikqua holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Her work is rooted in a belief that collective action and strategic investment in communities can create lasting transformation. 

Alfred Garner II, DSW 
 

VP of Therapeutic and People Services 

Dr. Alfred Garner II is the Chief Program Officer at Covenant House Georgia, where he leads all aspects of program planning, operations, and staffing with a steadfast commitment to centering the needs and best interests of youth. With deep expertise in child welfare, education, behavioral health, and community capacity building, Dr. Garner brings over a decade of transformative leadership to the field. 

He holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Albany State University, where he was inducted into the Phi Alpha Honor Society, and earned his Master of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, where he also served as an adjunct professor at the Whitney M. Young School of Social Work. Most recently, Dr. Garner was awarded his Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from the University of Kentucky, further advancing his dedication to trauma-informed, equity-centered care for vulnerable communities. tion goes here

Director of Community Trust & Healing-Centered Leadership

Charlan Williams-Moore is a transformative leader dedicated to cultivating trust and healing within organizations and communities. With over a decade of experience in program development, community engagement, and organizational leadership, Charlan has consistently championed initiatives that activate individual and collective agency.

As the Director of Community Trust & Healing-Centered Leadership at JMCG, Charlan leads efforts to co-create spaces where brilliance thrives, particularly within communities that have been systemically excluded and impacted by trauma. Her approach integrates equity-rooted technical assistance and community-driven strategies to foster ecosystems of care and pathways to liberation.

Charlan’s previous roles include Director of Pathways to Progress at Catholic Charities, where she enhanced program visibility and staff performance, and ERSEA Coordinator at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, where she implemented systems to ensure compliance and effective service delivery. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from Saint Louis University.

Rooted in the belief that love is strategy and healing is non-negotiable, Charlan continues to build pathways—not just resumes—co-creating change with clarity and an unwavering commitment to uplifting marginalized voices.

Chief Reentry and Life Coaching Officer

Kiska Lyons leverages her experience as a Human Capital Management Project Manager to aid the reintegration of justice-involved individuals into the workforce and community. She holds credentials as a SHRM Certified Professional and a Justice-Involved Care Life Coach, making her well-equipped to help these individuals overcome employment barriers and establish sustainable careers.

Kiska excels in creating effective onboarding and targeted reentry plans, and her strong communication skills enhance her collaborations with various stakeholders. She has initiated a Life Skills training program for young male adults in the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and leads restorative circles to address gun violence in Atlanta. Outside of work, her interests in cycling and cultural exploration enrich her service to diverse communities, emphasizing balance and personal growth in her reentry efforts.

Managing Director

Lauren Jacobs, Managing Director

Lauren Jacobs is a seasoned leader with over six years of experience as a Recruitment Strategist, delivering successful talent acquisition solutions for Fortune 100 and 500 companies across Atlanta, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Austin. Starting her career in the creative industry as a graphic designer, Lauren discovered her passion for recruitment while contracting with notable companies in the Atlanta area. She has since excelled in sourcing, recruiting, and placing high-level IT and Digital Marketing talent in both contract and permanent roles, generating over $2.35 million in consultant revenue.

As Managing Director of The Johnson Mapenzi Consulting Group, Lauren leads the firm with a vision to develop innovative recruitment strategies for both large-scale organizations and nonprofit entities. Her strategic approach and leadership have driven the firm’s growth and success.