BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CARISSA STERLING
President
Carissa is a litigation attorney at Carmody MacDonald P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri. She practices predominantly in Missouri at the state and federal level, but also has some experience practicing in Illinois. She received her Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Spanish, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University. As a native of the metro east area, she has a heart to give back to the surrounding community. Carissa and her husband are currently raising their family in Belleville, IL.
MICHELLE MARLER
Treasurer
SHIRLEY SIMMONS
Secretary
Shirley has extensive experience in human resources management and labor relations and is currently serving as the Director of Labor & Employee Relations for St. Louis Community College. Shirley has a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Central Missouri. Shirley loves being a resource whenever and wherever she can. Seeing others excel and find purpose and passion in their lives gives her great satisfaction.
Michelle has volunteered with R3 since 2021 and has fallen in love with the organization and the kids. She loves sharing her knowledge of the trades with others and wants to continue to do so, not only in the field with the kids, but on the board growing R3. She bring skills of working in public and private tax accounting fields for almost 20 years and have owned a remodeling and painting company for almost 14 years.
JOHNATHAN TATE
Johnathan is a STEM teachers at the local SIUE Charter High School in East St. Louis and has served on R3’s board since 2016. He is a member of several associations including the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, National Science Teacher Association, National Education Association, Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the Professional Staff Association. Johnathan’s extensive passion and expertise as a teacher serving under-resourced youth, is a tremendous gift to R3.
BRIAN STANLEY
Brian is a real estate agent and a dynamic advocate for R3. He is serving R3 as a housing development advisor on the board. He assists in property acquisition and sales within East St. Louis as well as the surrounding communities. His experience is extremely helpful to the housing element of R3.
EDITH LAKTZIAN
Edith is a Special Education Coordinator for SIUE East St. Louis Charter School and has her roots in the East St. Louis having attended District 189 and graduating from East St. Louis High School and then continuing as an educator in the community after completing college. Edith earned a Bachelor’s degree in education from SIUE, a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Piedmont College and is currently working to complete her doctorate in the Christian Education. Edith has over 30 years of experience as an educator from the pre-school level through adult education. She considers herself to be a team player and is passionate about educating the “whole student” by ensuring all needs are being met through the various services offered.
DJ MERNICK
D.J. joined the board of R3 in 2017. He owns his own construction company and is serving as a construction advisor on the board as well as a general contractor for the organization. His business-minded service brings such value to R3's operations and mission. He has a deep love for the Lord and a humble heart to use his gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.
LARRY MARLER
Larry is excited to serve on the board because he has seen firsthand over the past 5 years the impact that R3 has made with its students and in the community. Having been in the trades for over 30 years and teaching at a trade school in St. Louis, Larry has learned several facets of the trades, everything from carpentry to painting to minor electrical and plumbing. Having a background that is similar to the students has helped him learn how much hope and connection mean to them.
STEPHEN FAIRBANKS
Stephen is a long-time teacher, coach and writer. For the past 6 years he has taught English, History and French at MAP St. Louis, a Montessori middle/high school in Grand Center. He has also worked as a journalist and copywriter, and previously taught English Composition at UMSL. He is married to Kristy, and they have a daughter, Jazzy. When not teaching, reading or writing, he spends his time cycling, camping and playing volleyball and ice hockey.
BRYON HENSON
Bryon is a General Contractor with over 10 years of experience working from residential structural work all the way to painting and finishing work. He is responsible for getting the job done with quality and in a timely manner. He enjoys helping and being involved at R3 and when he saw a need for members within R3 (An organization he truly believes in), he was instantly intrigued. He feels that helping the youth and younger generations is essential in changing the world around us, and he believes he can help that by giving them the practical tools they need to effectively contribute to their world.
ELBERT JENNINGS
BRIAN WOODWARD
Co-Founder / Emeritus Board Member
Brian began working with East St. Louis youth in July 2012 as Director of Operations of Rebirth: East St. Louis. While working at Rebirth, Brian loved creating life-changing experiences for youth that shed light into their identities, strengths, and desires for the future. In February 2015, he helped create R3, and served as the Executive Director for three years, so that youth in East St. Louis would have more opportunities to gain meaningful work experience while rebuilding their own community. Brian has corporate experience in marketing and organizational structure and strategy. He also has experience in overseeing organizational staff and programs, developing youth through academics, character and spiritual development, and life skills training.