Meet the Team
Thillen Education Foundation is privileged to work with an extraordinary group of volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference in our student’s lives. Our volunteer Board of Directors drives day-to-day foundation operations and partnerships, establishes long-term financial strategy for donor fund investment and disburses earned financial assistance to students, and guides communications and fundraising to continue our efforts for years to come. Each member of our Board of Advisors offers specialized skill sets to provide balanced insight for our strategic initiatives and professional connections to open doors to future collaborations. Our Associates take on special marketing and communications projects to advance our corporate mission. Meet our talented team.
Leadership Team
Founder and President
Dave Thillen
Creator of the Career Coaching Program, retired IBM Business Unit Executive, instructor and gymnastics coach at West Point, U.S. Army veteran
Vice President
Ann Hughes
Retired Advertising and Direct Marketing Executive, GCCA career coach, and HR Committee Chair
Treasurer
Ted Zillmer
Retired consulting actuary with Willis insurance advisors, GCCA career coach, and math tutor
Secretary
Shannon Daniel
TEF Director of Operations, Independent Contractor
GCCA Liaision
Mariana Mansfield
CTAE Director, Greene College & Career Academy, Prior Assistant Principal, Greene County High School
Bilingual Liaision
Kara Latz
Career Coach and coordinator of the bilingual cohort, prior data analyst at BellSouth/AT&T and technology writer
Salesforce tech and strategy
Islam Ayoub
Salesforce consultant with experience in nonprofit solutions
Parental Liaison
Jacqueline Evans
Greene County School System Parent Mentor Special Education, Evans Catering Owner
GCHS Liaision
John Ellenberg
Chief Executive Officer of the Greene College & Career Academy, Former principal of Newton County High School in Georgia, U.S. Army veteran
Board of Advisors
Corporate Partners
Jack Gavin
Chairman, GMS Inc.
Community Partnerships
Rob Mitchell
Past President of Reynolds Lake Oconee, Past Executive Director of Atlas Ministries, United States Olympic Athlete - Kayak and Canoe Team
Career Coach/Student Liaison
Haajar LaRoche
Ritz Carlton Operations, Career Coach, Team Leader
Communications Outreach
Michelle Valigursky
President - Amaxim LLC, Managing editor of Emory Business.com and Emory Business magazine at Goizueta Business School, book author, U.S. Chefs' Open winner
School Interface
Greg Simmons
Graduation Coach, Greene College & Career Academy
I/T
Russ Gibson
Business Management and I/T Independent Contractor
Community Relations
Elaine Thillen
Prior Xerox National Account Manager
President, eKistics LLC, Artist
HBCU Relations
Mark Kyles
Construction & Facility Manager
Consultant
Don Loft
Former Partner, Morris, Manning & Martin LLC, First Tee Coach
Grants Goordinator
Leslie Clark
EdD. Former CTAE Director, Burke County, Georgia School System.
Communications Consultant
Madigan Pratt
President of marketing and consulting firm, managed Fortune 100 companies at several of NYC's largest marketing agencies.
TEF Founding Board of Advisors
Tania Dowdy
Social Media Community Manager, Truist
David Duley
Founder and CEO, PlanGap
Author, I Can Fix America
Dave Hady
President, Hady Media
Tamika Miller
Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee, Parent
Gregg Novek
Professor of Finance,
Seton Hall University
Marcus Siwemuke
Founder and CEO, Three to Five Publishing
Associates
Web Development
Sam Alefsen
Graduate of Emory University, Owner of SamJo Web Consulting, music audio engineer, trailblazer
Special Projects
Jayden Daniel
Gatewood School student, community volunteer, founder of the Lake Area Easter Basket Project for youth in foster care, Eagle Scout
Art Direction
Emilee Martin
Graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, Owner of Emgraphx, adventurer
Join Our Impact
Experience the rewards of preparing a hard-working teen for college, the workforce, or military service, and ensuring a guided, financially-assisted path to their future.
Become a Partner
Activate your business mission by partnering with us in this extraordinary education and employment initiative that is producing current and future quality employees.
Sign Up For Events
Nothing is more exciting than seeing our kids engaging with our volunteer life coaches. Join us for our next in-person event!