Marshall J. Bailly II
Executive Director/Founder

Marshall created Leadership Initiatives to empower men, women and children around the world to determine their own future. Marshall has previously headed several organizations including American University's Freshman Service Experience that maintains more than 1,000 members and employees and for which he coordinated over 15,000 hours of community service.

Marshall has extensive development experience working in the South African Parliament and has independently created several community development programs on the continent of Africa. Marshall attended American University for his bachelor degrees in International Relations and Political Science from the honors department and a degree in Leadership. He also earned his Masters Degree in Public Administration with a focus on Non-Profit Management from American University.

Khalifa M. Lawan
Programs Manager—Nigeria

After graduating from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in 2005 with a degree in Comparative law and participating in both of Leadership Initiatives' previous programs there, Khalifa went on to study federal law and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar. He subsequently became LI's first Director of Nigerian Affairs. Khalifa gained experience managing development projects in many capacities; for example, he has served as Project Coordinator for LI's Real Change project as well as legal practitioner and negotiator/mediator, and has attended several training and workshops including Cisco Academy, Fundraising Professionals, Peace, Human Rights, Women's Rights, Dispute Resolution, Languages, and HIV education and has also researched ways to eradicate illiteracy and elevate the standard of living among the youth of the densely populated Hausari Ward of Maiduguri.

Through his work and the work of fellow students, over one hundred students to date have completed the literacy program. As a result of their newfound skill, 50 of the students received scholarships for further education, 25 received new employment, and 10 received promotions at their current workplace. Also, through partnering with the Agency for Mass Literacy, local imams, and Koranic and public schools, Khalifa ensured that the project was run efficiently and reflected the interests of many members in the community.

Umar Muhammad
Project Officer—Nigeria

Umar Muhammad is a Computer Hardware Engineer, currently pursuing a Cisco Certification Program. He worked for Maida Business Centre in 2002 and for African Petroleum Business Centre in 2004. Umar also worked with NITI Technology as a Coordinator/Instructor in 2005 and later with the Indian Nigerian Institute of Information Technology (INIIT) as a Director of Training/Instructor in 2007.

In 2008 he became one of the Directors of UFI Technologies. Umar joined Leadership Initiatives as a Project Officer because of his passion towards community development programs. This has allowed him the opportunity to contribute immensely in imparting skills to less privileged people in Nigeria and the world at large.

Temitope S. Olotu
Administrative and Sister School Coordinator - Nigeria

Temitope Stephanie Olotu (Temi) is a 24 year old graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (A.T.B.U), Bauchi where she studied Chemical Engineering. She was born in Kano state, and grew up in Bauchi state. Temi is passionate about her country and its youth. In 2009, during her final year of school, she organized a youth empowerment event and invited one of Nigeria's top motivational speakers, Fela Durotoye, who enthused the youths to become better ambassadors of Nigeria.

Temi is excited for the opportunity to bring her drive, determination, and commitment to excellence to Leadership Initiatives, and for the chance to further impact society.

Whitney Derber
Director of Development

Whitney was inspired by fellow American University alumnus Marshall Bailly II and Antoine Eloi's dedication to community-identified, established and funded programs as a method for sustainable development. A graduate of Washington College of Law, Whitney focused her JD/MA studies on the effects of trade and foreign investment on local development, as well as methods for creating sustainable economic development. She has traveled extensively throughout the developing world, and has a broad background in business development, trade agreements, intellectual property rights and development methods.

Chris Coppola
Director of Planning and Finance

Chris brings a wealth of experience to Leadership Initiatives in grant writing/administration, finance, and information systems. Chris has been involved with Leadership Initiatives in a variety of capacities from its inception in 2004. He worked for Leadership Initiatives in event management, fundraising, and as an IT consultant. He is currently employed on a training grant administering $4 Million in federal funds. In the summer of 2010, Chris was brought on to assist with accounting and bookkeeping. He has since worked with Marshall to develop a comprehensive plan for LI's future. A passionate supporter of LI's core principals, he is excited about the opportunity to apply his knowledge and skills to growing Leadership Initiatives.

Sarah Agar
Assistant Director of Sister School Programs

Sarah Agar is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker who currently works for APS Healthcare as a clinical manager, and holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Gettysburg College and a Master's in Social Work (specializing in mental health) from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has worked in every area of the health care spectrum and specializes in the creation of highly individualized treatment plans designed to identify goals and to develop clear, realistic and effective strategies to meet them. Her passion for helping others develop, recognize and reach their own goals drew her to Leadership Initiatives and its Sister School Program.

She firmly believes that one key to success is truly recognizing our own strengths and weaknesses and understanding the role they play in reaching our personal aspirations. Sarah places emphasis on communicating with Sister School students on a one-to-one, personalized basis and looks forward to developing and enhancing her role in LI.

Joy Omelanuk
Assistant Director of Development

Joy Omelanuk is currently entering her final year in the MBA program at Chadron State College (CSC). As a nontraditional student, Joy brings years of experience and skill sets from various working environments including corporate, education, home based startups, and contractual. Her most recent positions were that of Executive Director of Chadron, NE Chamber of Commerce, and Graduate Assistant assigned to Faculty Professional Development at CSC.

She looks forward to contributing her skills in project management, research, documentation, online instructional support, public relations, marketing, and fundraising towards Leadership Initiatives' current goals. Joy finds the work and leadership of the organization inspiring, and expects her collaboration with Leadership Initiatives to be a rewarding one.

Laura Grannemann
Assistant Director of Administration Programs

Laura was inspired by Marshall Bailly while visiting American University for a summer LeadAmerica experience. She has since been working to further social justice, both in Michigan and now in Washington, D.C., where she currently attends Georgetown University. Laura's goal with Leadership Initiatives is to work closely with the sister school programs in order to further the efficacy of each project.

She also wants to activate the Georgetown Campus, by helping to start a college campus sister school program, and she is also in the process of recruiting a qualified student from her high school in Michigan to bring Okemos High School into the program. She will work extremely hard to ensure success on the different projects to which she will be assigned. Working with her colleagues in Leadership Initiatives is an honor and a privilege that Laura will cherish. It is a continuous inspiration for her to meet such committed and diverse people.

Dex Polizzi
Communications Director

Dex Polizzi is new to the Leadership Initiatives team but has been a friend of the organization since he met Marshall Bailly II while studying at American University. He graduated from American University in 2007 with a degree in Public Communications and American Studies. He currently works for Merritt Group, a Reston, VA based public relations and digital media production firm. Dex's expertise is in new media and traditional public relations and marketing. His professional history includes a robust clientele including non-profits, technology and telecommunications companies, healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, federal contractors, lobbying groups, entertainment companies, and film studios. As part of Merritt Group's employee volunteer program, Dex Polizzi and several of his colleagues donate their time to help Leadership Initiatives develop a strong media presence.

Zachary Ruderman
Film Director

Zach brings years of experience to the Leadership Initiatives Organization. A graduate of the American School of the Arts, Zach has been creating Leadership Initiatives' videos since its foundation, and is Leadership Initiatives first videographer. Zach has worked on several major motion pictures and brings his passion for storytelling to create to create awareness about the success of Leadership Initiatives' mission worldwide.

Jo Ann Marie
Art Director

Marie has been a unique enthusiast of Leadership Initiatives since its beginning. She has earned degrees in Art Education from Eastern and Western Michigan University. Her professional history spotlights a dedication as a visual arts teacher in the South Haven Schools in Michigan, where she has served the community for 37 years. She believes art reaches the great diversity of human beings through works that express and speak to the important qualities that give our lives meaning - family,nature, education, diversity, and creativity. In addition, Jo Ann also enjoys working as a free lance artist and consultant.

Clara Sekowski
Assistant Programs Director

Clara has been a supporter of Leadership Initiatives since she first met founder Marshall Bailly at a conference when she was 14. Two years ago when she first started working with LI, she was opened up to a whole new world that has fueled her passion for international relations since. After spending 8 months in Senegal on a gap year, she has rejoined the team, bringing along a greater berth of experiences. Clara uses her new perspectives to help manage the Sister School Program and assist with research and communication from New York where she currently attends Bard College.

Jeremey Tripp
Webmaster

Jeremey has been an integral part of Leadership Initiatives since its inception. During this time he has worked in almost every aspect of the organization leading to his current role as Webmaster. Jeremey brings with him media skills developed while working in promotions for Independence Air, as website designer of HOBY's Washington DC chapter and through ongoing work as a professional photographer. Having grown up with LI founder Marshall Bailly, Jeremey is passionate about LI's commitment to transforming today's youth into the leaders of tomorrow.