Alisa Gooding, PA, M.P.H

Founder & Director at Large

Alisa Gooding has always had a passion for service and a heart for people. After earning a BS as a Physician Assistant and Master’s in Public Health, Alisa worked over 30 years as a healthcare and public health practitioner. Over the course of her distinguished career, she has been appointed to voluntary boards of multiple nonprofit organizations, and performed countless hours of military, public, church, and community service. Alisa’s desire is to help youth fulfill their greatest aspirations in life and realize their potential for greatness.

Alisa is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity and serving part time in Christian ministry. Among her many roles in life, Alisa is a teacher of the Gospel, Christian Counselor, church administrator, mentor and founder of “Know Your Worth”, a ministry resource designed to instill in girls and women an enduring sense of personal value. She is a loving wife to Timothy and adoring mother to Jessica. Alisa is a native of Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her family.

Bud Bryant

Director, Treasurer of the Board

Bud Bryant is a financial planning consultant, specializing in retirement planning, particularly for educators. He is the sitting president of Teacher’s Tax Service, using his financial skills and savvy to guide educators through their careers and into retirement. Bud’s love of knowledge, truth, and community directly reflect the values of academic achievement, athletic achievement, and personal integrity instilled in him from childhood. Bud finds inspiration to support educational enrichment from his parents, who were both educators for many years.

Bud is also inspired by his own exposure to extracurricular activities during his youth. As a child Bryant joined the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the highest rank possible. After graduation, Bud went on to play football at Mesa Community College before attending Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance.

Bud currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with Karen, his wife of over 40 years. As parents and grandparents, they continue to champion academic achievement and extracurricular engagement.

Tim Gooding, Ed.D

Founder & Director at Large

Tim’s entire life can be described as an affirmation of the importance of education. He has pursued knowledge relentlessly, earning an undergraduate degree, two graduate degrees, a post-master’s certificate, and a doctorate degree. Tim’s passion is helping young people who have the desire to better themselves, but lack the resources to fulfill their goals. As a school administrator, guidance counselor, and special education professional, he strives to offer students access to life-changing opportunities by facilitating a vibrant academic and extra-curricular experience. Tim’s passion for education is rooted in the influence of his mother, father, and stepfather who believed that education is essential to success. He carries their legacy on by embracing educational experiences and mentoring youth within his community.

Cheri Fitzpatrick, Ed.D

Chair of the Board

Dr. Cheri Fitzpatrick has been in the education field for over 22 years. Throughout her career, she has held many positions from classroom teacher, to school and district administrator. Dr. Fitzpatrick pursued this field because she truly believes that education is the one provision that will make an enormous difference in life outcomes. She is also an avid supporter of the arts, and spends her spare time as a singer and pianist at her local church. As an educator, Dr. Fitzpatrick has witnessed firsthand how educational opportunity can determine the course of a life. She is passionate about providing those opportunities that support the success of young people. Dr. Fitzpatrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Industrial Technology, a Master’s degree in Education Administration, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership.

Jessica Vasquez

Founder & Secretary to the Board

If you want to know what gets Jessica excited, all you have to remember are the three Fs: family, fun, and FOOD! Jessica is a certified Personal Chef and Food manager, with credentials from the American Personal and Private Chef Association and the ServSafe National Restaurant Association. Jessica studied at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Management. Jessica is not only loves being a culinary artist, she’s passionate about helping young aspiring chefs to achieve their dreams.