Senior Examiner, Information Technology | Federal Housing Finance Agency
Victoria Adofoli is a Senior Information Security Examiner with a multidisciplinary background spanning security, risk management, product development, social entrepreneurship and international development. She holds a master’s degree in cybersecurity policy from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and College of Information Studies. Victoria is deeply engaged in her broader community and volunteers for a venture capital syndicate, where she helps startup founders navigate access to early‐stage capital. She is also a former recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship, the Urban Leaders Fellowship, and the Humphrey Policy Fellowship. She loves spontaneous road trips, globe‑hopping adventures, and cheering her heart out as an avid fútbol fan.
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Food & Restaurant
Senior Care & Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
EDMUND AFFUL
Atlanta, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Principal | Afful Capital Group
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Home-based and/or Mobile
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
Edmund Afful is Vice President at Berkman Woods, a private equity investment firm based in Oklahoma focused on acquiring and scaling lower middle-market and middle-market businesses. Berkman Woods partners with founder-led companies across service-based, industrial, and operationally intensive sectors, emphasizing hands-on ownership, operational discipline, and long-term value creation. At Berkman Woods, Edmund is actively involved in deal sourcing, diligence, transaction execution, and post acquisition support. He brings experience across multiple capital structures, including conventional senior debt, mezzanine capital, private equity partnerships, and SBA backed acquisitions where appropriate. Edmund is deeply involved in evaluating and pursuing control investments in small and lower middlemarket businesses, aligning closely with Berkman Woods’ strategy of partnering with experienced operators to professionalize and grow founder-led companies. He holds a B.S. from the University of Georgia with previous experience in Senior HealthCare Consulting. Previously, Edmund founded and led Afful Capital, an investment and operating platform focused on service-based and healthcare-related businesses, where he developed a hands-on, operator oriented approach to acquisitions and growth. Outside of work, Edmund enjoys staying active, traveling, and engaging with the entrepreneurial community through mentorship and informal advising.
Dr. Kristy Arnold is a native Atlantan and Founder & CEO of The Ann-Bernard Firm, a commercial real estate advisory practice affiliated with Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers in Atlanta. Her path to entrepreneurship was built over two decades of nonprofit leadership, where she managed million dollar budgets, secured over $5M in funding and grants, and led community development initiatives across Washington, DC and Atlanta, including roles as Director of Community Impact at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Executive Director of LIFT-DC. That experience taught her how to build infrastructure, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and see initiatives through from vision to completion — skills she now applies daily in commercial real estate. Holding a PhD in Counselor Education and a deep background in systems-level thinking, Kristy approaches business not as a single milestone but as an ongoing practice of follow-through and steady growth. She is pursuing franchise ownership as the next deliberate step in building a sustainable, scalable business in the Southeast. Dr. Arnold is committed to applying the same discipline that carried her through years of nonprofit leadership and the launch of her own firm to this new venture — viewing the FAI program as a structured path toward long-term ownership, not a shortcut, but the next milestone earned through consistent execution.
IVRY ATLEE
Vienna, VA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Founder | Logic Capital Group
Franchise Interests
Business Services
Financial Services
Food & Restaurant
Internet & Technology
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Ivry Atlee is an entrepreneur, investor, and growth executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning financial services, consulting, media, and technology. He recently served as Chief Growth Officer at Who’s Your Landlord, an affordable housing analytics company, and is the founder of Logic Capital Group, an independent sponsor focused on acquiring and growing government technology and professional services businesses. Throughout his career, Ivry has held leadership roles with Paramount Global, NPR, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Deutsche Bank, where he underwrote large-scale real estate debt transactions. He has led cross-functional teams, managed multi-million-dollar P&Ls, advised C-suite executives, and supported capital raises and strategic growth initiatives. Ivry earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. A Georgia high school state champion in track and field and a member of the Redan High School Sports Hall of Fame, he is passionate about entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and building businesses that create lasting impact in underserved communities. Through the Franchise Ascension Initiative, he hopes to combine his operator and investor experience with the power of franchising to create generational wealth and expand opportunities for others.
DANA BELFLEUR
Arlington, VA
Market Consultant | Invesco
Dana Belfleur is a sales leader and Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) with 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. A proud Spelman College graduate, she has built her career helping financial professionals uncover opportunities, strengthen relationships, and achieve meaningful growth. Her approach is guided by three core values: winning with integrity, taking ownership, and serving others. Known for her ability to connect with people and turn ideas into action, Dana is exploring franchising as a path to entrepreneurship, business ownership, and community impact. She joined the IFA’s Franchise Ascension Initiaive cohort to learn from industry leaders, expand her network, and gain the tools to build something lasting. When she’s not working, she’s likely planning her next international trip, trying a new restaurant, or creating opportunities to bring people together. Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
LEONARD BLACK
Marietta, GA
Franchise Stage: Growth-stage Operator
Owner | Balson Corporation
Leonard Black is the Founder and CEO of Balson Corporation, a management company based in Metro Atlanta focused on acquiring, operating, and scaling recurring-revenue home exterior services businesses. In July 2024, Leonard completed his anchor acquisition Pool Scouts North Atlanta, a three-territory franchise — transitioning from over 20 years in Fortune 500 corporate strategy roles at GE, Ernst & Young, The Home Depot, and Equifax into full-time entrepreneurship.
A third-generation entrepreneur whose grandfather built businesses in southwest Detroit without access to capital or networks, Leonard views his entrepreneurial journey as the next chapter of a generational legacy. His long-term vision for Balson Corporation is to build a $20M+ EBITDA platform across the home exterior services
vertical — pool care, lawn treatment, pest control, and adjacent services — while documenting a replicable acquisition-based entrepreneurship blueprint for future entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Leonard holds an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School.
Business Services
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home Products & Services
Sports & Recreation
LEAH BROWN
Frederick, MD
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Family Nurse Practitioner
Leah Brown is a Nurse Practitioner with 12 years of healthcare experience and a recently earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She is deeply committed to continuous self-development and leadership, actively engaging in her organization’s leadership courses and ongoing professional growth opportunities. In addition to clinical practice, Leah invests in real estate and is now exploring expansion of entrepreneurship through franchising. She values collaboration, lifelong learning, and mentorship, believing that leadership is strengthened by learning from others and by empowering teams to reach their highest potential. Beyond her professional pursuits, Leah dedicates time to traveling, volunteering, and staying active through Orange Theory. She cherishes time with family and friends, balancing her professional ambitions with a vibrant personal life. Leah is dedicated to evolving as a leader who inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and maintains a growth mindset.
Education, Training & Staffing
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home-based and/or Mobile
Senior Care & Healthcare
ERIC BROWN
Nashville, TN
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Senior Network Engineer | Dragos
Eric Brown is a network engineer and cybersecurity professional with more than a decade of experience designing, implementing, and securing enterprise technology environments. His career has strengthened his skills in analytical problem-solving, systems thinking, project management, and building scalable operational processes. Outside of his technical career, Eric is focused on business ownership through franchising and small business acquisitions. He is actively evaluating opportunities that offer strong operational foundations, recurring revenue, and long-term growth potential. His objective is to build businesses that create lasting value while providing excellent experiences for customers and meaningful opportunities for employees. Eric’s long-term goal is to achieve financial freedom through business ownership while continuing to grow as a leader and entrepreneur. He is excited to connect with fellow franchise owners, operators, and mentors who can share their experiences and perspectives. He values collaboration, lifelong learning, and thoughtful decisionmaking, and looks forward to both contributing to and learning from the cohort as he takes the next step in his entrepreneurial journey.
Business Services
Children’s Products & Services
Home-based and/or Mobile
Senior Care & Healthcare
TIARA BROWN
Frederick, MD
Franchise Stage: Franchise
Employee Seeking Ownership
Director of Nursing | Always Best Care Senior Services
Tiara Brown grew up in Northern Virginia and currently resides in Frederick, Maryland. Tiara decided to become a nurse after a traumatic experience at the young age of 11 causing her own hospitalization and recovery. She has been in the health field for over 15 years. Starting in high school, Tiara worked as a pharmacy technician. She became an LPN in 2010 and worked her way through college to becoming an RN in 2014. Tiara has over 15 years of nursing experience and over 5 years of health administration experience. Tiara is an energetic, dedicated, and compassionate RN with the drive to make a difference in the lives of all that she encounters. Tiara has experience in occupational health, plastic surgery, post-anesthesia care, and case management/legal nursing. Tiara is the first to graduate college in her family and obtain a college degree. Her extensive experience and transformational leadership styles have been showcased at multi-million-dollar companies. Tiara has been awarded: Clinician of the Year, Circle of Excellence Award, and Team Member of the Year for her respective companies. Tiara plans to acquire the franchise upon retirement of the current owner. Tiara is married to her high school sweetheart of 18 years with two children, and enjoys reading, concerts, live poetry and family time.
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
KRYSTAL BRUMFIELD
Washington, DC
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Top Franchise Interests
Cleaning & Maintenance
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Founder and Principal Consultant | The Brumfield
Consulting Group, LLC
Krystal J. Brumfield is an attorney and accomplished executive with nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Krystal is the Founder and Principal Consultant for The Brumfield Consulting Group, LLC. She most recently served as Lead Consultant and Strategic Advisor to Avports, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, on the U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority Public Private Partnership (P3).
As lead, she was responsible for the full spectrum of airport activities including airside and terminal operations, infrastructure maintenance, passenger services, and long-term asset management. Krystal previously served as the Associate Administrator for Government-wide Policy at the General Services Administration (GSA), where as Chief Acquisition Officer and Head of Supply Chain Risk Management, she managed acquisition policy and timely delivery of best value of over $100B in contracts annually.
Prior, Krystal served as Chief of Staff for Carlyle Airport Group (CAG) Holdings, LLC, an investment platform for airport infrastructure investment opportunities, managing team
cross-collaboration to redevelop the $9.5B Terminal One at JFK International Airport, the largest P3 airport infrastructure project in U.S. history. Her additional professional experiences include President & CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, Vice President & COO of the DC Chamber of Commerce, Tax & Procurement Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Visiting Instructor for the International Law Institute South African Centre for Excellence, and Sales & Use Tax Attorney for the Louisiana Department of Revenue.
GLEN CARTER II
Boston, MA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Management Consultant | QV Advisory Group
Franchise Interests
Business Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Education, Training & Staffing
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Internet & Technology
Carter is a strategy and value creation leader, investor, and former entrepreneur with more than 13 years of experience helping private capital investors, portfolio companies, and growth-focused corporates turn investment theses into scalable operating and financial results. He currently leads cross-border growth and performance improvement advisory for a global business services firm and operates as an independent sponsor, fractional strategist, and angel investor, focusing on building scalable, systemised businesses that can support multi-unit and international growth. Previously, Carter was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he partnered with senior executives and investors on performance improvement, transformation, operating model redesign, and growth strategy. Earlier in his career, he founded and led his own advisory firm and worked in cross-border investing and special situations deal advisory in Hong Kong. Carter brings expertise in operational value creation, supply chain-linked cost reduction, and KPI-led margin improvement, with a practical style grounded in frontline realities. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and degrees in Economics and Spanish from Hampden-Sydney College.
NICOL CHRISTIE
Columbia, MD
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Top Franchise Interests
Education, Training & Staffing
Home-based and/or Mobile
Senior Care & Healthcare
Founder | Mondays Matter LLC
Nicol is a problem solver at heart. Whether solving challenges of public education or employee engagement, Nicol tackles complex issues with humanity and resolve. Nicol holds a Master of Education degree from Temple University and did undergraduate studies in Mass Communications. Nicol has previously worked as a freelance journalist reporting on entertainment, sports, business and other local news for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun newspaper and myriad other professional roles except business owner - yet. Nicol embraces collaboration but doesn't shy away from leadership. A former elementary school teacher and experienced education manager, Nicol most recently led projects at the American Institutes for Research aimed at improving K-12 education. Currently at a professional crossroad, Nicol is actively and enthusiastically pursuing entrepreneurship, in all of its forms, including franchising. "You don't know what you don't know" is the mantra that led Nicol to the IFA Ascension Program. Nicol currently operates two businesses: one service-oriented and one product-based. During the past year, Nicol has vigorously pursued continuing education on a variety of topics that are paramount to business ownership including in Mental Health First Aid, CPR and SHRM certification. Outside of work, you can find Nicol playing tennis, singing in church choir or volunteering. A teacher at heart, Nicol enjoys helping friends, colleagues and clients reach their goals. Her style is to lead by inspiration, not intimidation.
ALAN DAVIS
Business Consultant, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur
Alan Davis is a business consultant, real estate investor, and entrepreneur with experience advising corporate and private equity clients on strategy, operations, and value creation initiatives. During his consulting career, he represented leading consulting firms including Accenture and Ernst & Young-Parthenon. He has experience supporting large-scale transformation efforts, operational improvement programs, mergers and acquisitions, and performance optimization initiatives. In addition to his consulting background, Alan has built and managed a real estate portfolio and remains passionate about wealth creation through business ownership and investing. As a first-generation college graduate and lifelong learner, he is committed to creating opportunities that generate both financial success and community impact. His professional interests span across business growth, process improvement, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. Alan earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Duke University and is passionate about building businesses and opportunities that create economic opportunity and lasting impact
SHODAN DSOUZA
Denver, CO
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Financial Services
Home Products & Services
Internet & Technology
Senior Care & Healthcare
Student | University of Denver
Shodan D’Souza is an MBA candidate at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, concentrating in Finance. With a background spanning engineering, business operations, and financial analysis, he has developed experience evaluating growth opportunities, supporting strategic decision-making, and solving complex business challenges. Prior to pursuing his MBA, Shodan built his career in the oil and gas industry, where he worked across multidisciplinary teams to improve operational performance, manage complex projects, and drive business results. These experiences strengthened his analytical skills, leadership abilities, and passion for creating value through business ownership. Motivated by a long-term interest in entrepreneurship, Shodan is exploring franchise ownership as a pathway to scalable growth, wealth creation, and community impact. He is particularly interested in business models that combine strong operational systems with opportunities for strategic expansion and local market leadership. As an aspiring franchise owner, Shodan looks forward to leveraging the knowledge, mentorship, and network provided through FAI to evaluate opportunities, develop a disciplined acquisition strategy, and build businesses that create lasting value for employees, customers, and the communities they serve. Outside of work and academics, he enjoys networking with professionals, exploring emerging business trends, and developing new venture ideas.
JOSIAH EDOUARD
Brooklyn, NY
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Howard University | JD/MBA Graduate
Josiah Edouard is a Haitian and Trinidadian-American entrepreneur, attorney, and business professional with a passion for building businesses that create wealth and opportunity in underserved communities. A graduate of Howard University’s JD/MBA program, he developed a multidisciplinary foundation in law, finance, and entrepreneurship while exploring how business ownership can serve as a vehicle for economic empowerment. Throughout his academic and professional experiences, Josiah has worked on projects involving real estate, hospitality, infrastructure, and international development, strengthening his understanding of how businesses grow, scale, and create lasting impact. His interests include franchising, community development, and helping aspiring business owners access pathways to ownership and generational wealth. Through the Ascension program, he hopes to deepen his understanding of the franchise ecosystem, connect with experienced operators, and gain practical insights that will help him become a successful entrepreneur and business owner. Top Franchise Interests
Education, Training & Staffing
Financial Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
MICHAEL EDWARDS
Papillion, NE
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Internet & Technology
Sports & Recreation
Enterprise Program & Transformation Leader
Michael Edwards is an enterprise program and transformation leader with 30+ years of experience delivering large‑scale technology, analytics, and operations initiatives in complex, regulated environments. He specializes in stepping into high‑stakes programs that need structure, clarity, and results aligning executive strategy to delivery through strong governance, SAFe and Agile frameworks, and disciplined portfolio management. Michael’s career spans global enterprises, financial services, higher education, and national‑security missions, with a consistent focus on stabilizing complex initiatives, accelerating delivery, and building high‑performing teams. Highlights include leading $50M+ portfolios, modernizing global analytics platforms, implementing enterprise cybersecurity capabilities, consolidating multi‑company technology environments, and delivering measurable cost savings and cycle‑time reductions. Michael is known as a trusted advisor to senior leaders who can translate vision into execution while navigating risk, change, and organizational complexity. He is most energized by roles where he can drive enterprise transformation, lead cross‑functional teams, and deliver outcomes that matter—whether modernizing platforms, enabling data‑driven decision‑making, or guiding organizations through meaningful change.
U.S. Veteran
DASHAWN FLEMING
Lanham, MD
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
CEO | D. Renee’ Hair Artistry
Top Franchise Interests
Cleaning & Maintenance
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Internet & Technology
Senior Care & Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
DaShawn Fleming is a licensed cosmetologist, entrepreneur, and beauty industry professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in healthy textured hair care, client experience, education, and salon operations. As the owner of D. Renee’ Hair Artistry, DaShawn has built a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service, creating personalized beauty experiences, and helping clients achieve their hair goals through innovative techniques and continued education. In addition to her cosmetology expertise, DaShawn holds a B.S. in Journalism & Mass Communication from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication from American University. Her background in communication, marketing, and relationship-building has strengthened her ability to connect with clients, develop brand strategies, and create meaningful customer experiences. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and long-term business growth, DaShawn is committed to expanding her knowledge of business development, leadership, and operational excellence. She believes continued education is essential not only for staying ahead in the beauty industry but also for building sustainable businesses that positively impact communities. Through participation in the FAI program, DaShawn aims to leverage her experience in customer service, branding, and business ownership to pursue her goal of franchise ownership and create opportunities for generational wealth, professional growth, and community impact.
NATALIE FOSTER
Warner Robins, GA
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Founder | Foster Solutions Consulting
Franchise Interests
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Home-based and/or Mobile
Dr. Natalie D. Foster is an executive leader, researcher, entrepreneur, and founder of Foster Solutions Consulting, a leadership and workforce development firm focused on helping organizations strengthen leadership capability, workforce performance, and organizational culture. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the United States Air Force, she has led diverse teams, advised senior executives, and developed talent strategies that drive mission success in complex operational environments. As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Foster’s research focuses on veteran entrepreneurship, franchise ownership, and the factors that contribute to long-term business sustainability, with particular interest in expanding ownership opportunities for veterans, women, and minority entrepreneurs. Her work bridges academic research and practical application, helping organizations and business owners translate leadership principles into measurable results. Through the Franchise Ascension Initiative, Dr. Foster seeks to expand her entrepreneurial footprint through franchise ownership while continuing her mission of economic empowerment and workforce development. Her long-term vision is to build a portfolio of businesses that create jobs, develop leaders, and generate lasting community impact while demonstrating how entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful pathway for continued service, ownership, and generational wealth creation.
MEGAN GILES
Atlanta, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Franchise Interests
Business Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
Founder & CEO | Livelikemike Homes
Megan is the founder and CEO of Livelikemike Homes, which provides affordable coliving and recovery housing in Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Megan began her career as an employment attorney. In 2024, following the death of her younger brother, Michael, she founded Livelikemike Homes in his memory—building it around the belief that everyone deserves a second chance at life. Today, Livelikemike Homes serves more than 100 men and women across Atlanta, offering second-chance affordable housing to people working to rebuild their lives. Megan recently retired from practicing law to devote herself fully to expanding access to affordable housing throughout the city. Guided by the conviction that anything is possible and that we are all here to support one another, she continues to grow Livelikemike Homes in honor of her brother and in service to her community.
LISA-ANN GORDON
Cutler Bay, FL
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Litigation Attorney
Lisa Ann C. Gordon was born in Jamaica and grew up in Miami, Florida. She is a seasoned litigator and personal injury attorney with nearly three decades of experience in the areas of personal injury, bad faith, wrongful death, class actions, and criminal defense at the State and Federal levels. She holds a B.A. from Tulane University and a J.D. from Tulane School of Law. She has a host of business management experience and has led litigation teams for major firms and insurers while managing large caseloads. Lisa-Ann is looking forward to growing and learning through the Franchise Ascension Initiative as she builds the next phase of her professional life.
Franchise Interests
Children’s Products & Services
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Sports & Recreation
MICHELLE JANAYE
Capitol Heights, MD
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Cleaning & Maintenance
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Senior Care & Healthcare
Pet Care
Vice President | Reservoir Communications Group
Michelle Janaye is a seasoned communications executive, former reporter, and digital strategist working at the intersection of media, advocacy, and innovation. As Vice President for a Washington-based health care consulting firm, she leads high-impact campaigns that mobilize stakeholders to advance health equity. A former Associated Press reporter and NAACP strategist, she brings newsroom precision and grassroots conviction to her work. Michelle is also the CEO of DvyUp, a tech start-up focused on harnessing the power of group investing. She holds degrees from Howard University and the University of Maryland, College Park.
ASHLEY JOHNSON
Gardena, CA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Head
of
Finance, North America | Artefact
Ashley Johnson is a finance executive, entrepreneur, and operator serving as Head of Finance, North America at Artefact, a global data and AI consulting firm, where she leads financial planning, performance management, reporting, and strategic decision support for the North America business. Her career spans roles at Cargill, JPMorgan Chase, Ernst & Young Parthenon, and OPUS Intelligence, giving her a strong foundation in accounting, controllership, M&A strategy, and operational finance. Ashley earned her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, where she was a Consortium Fellow and served as President of the Black Business Students Association. She also holds a B.S. in Accounting from Oakland University.
In addition to her corporate leadership, Ashley is the founder of WINYL, a nonalcoholic sparkling wine brand inspired by music, nostalgia, and intentional living. She builds at the intersection of culture and capital and is passionate about creating economic and long term value creation. Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Financial Services
Food & Restaurant
Home Products & Services
DWANE JONES
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Washington, DC Top Franchise Interests
& Restaurant
Owner & Founder | The Union Collective Coffee & Social
Dwane is an academic and business leader with over 20 years of combined experience in leadership, green infrastructure programs, research, urban design, environmental planning, and program management with government, academia, nonprofit, and community-based agencies, international governments and universities. Dwane uses design thinking to problem-solve, innovate, prototype, execute, and research human-centered challenges. Dwane is also an Executive Leadership Coach who specializes in launching + scaling start-ups. He has degrees in Urban Planning, Urban Design, and Evidence-Based Coaching.
TENISHA JONES
Washington, DC
Franchise Stage: Growth-stage
Operator
Owner | Pure Green DuPont Circle
Dr. Tenisha S. Jones is Co-owner of Pure Green Dupont Circle, a cold-pressed juice, smoothie, acai and wellness franchise in Washington, DC. As part of the nationally recognized Pure Green franchise system, Dr. Jones benefits from an established operational model while maintaining a strong commitment to local community impact.
A doctoral-trained school psychologist, research-practitioner, and consultant, Dr. Jones brings extensive experience supporting students, families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Howard University, graduate degrees from Howard University and the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Urban Studies. Her background informs her belief that nutrition is connected to cognitive, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Education, Training & Staffing
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Dr. Jones’s five-year growth plan includes expanding to multiple locations across the DC area, with a deliberate focus on Southeast DC, where many residents experience limited access to clean nutrition and wellness education. She views this expansion as both a business opportunity and a pathway to address food access, health equity, and community-centered wellbeing.
KAZ KAUFMAN
Sherman Oaks, CA
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Graduate | Arizona State University
Kaz Kaufman is a recent graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning and a strong interest in franchising, business strategy, and international expansion. Raised in a bilingual Japanese-American household, Kaz is passionate about helping bridge business opportunities between Japan and the United States. Through internships with Sunpark Holdings in Japan and Xponential Fitness, Kaz gained experience analyzing franchise operations, evaluating business performance, supporting market research, and learning how brands grow across different markets. As an English-Japanese interpreter at international franchise conventions, he has also helped facilitate business discussions between executives on operations, financial performance, marketing, and expansion strategy. Kaz’s longterm goal is to build a consulting career helping Japanese brands expand into the U.S. while supporting American brands entering Japan.
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Home Products & Services
Retail
GREGORY KING
Smyrna, GA
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Experienced Educator
Gregory King has served in various leadership roles where he has led district-wide efforts to improve student achievement, strengthen instructional leadership, and expand equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. With executive leadership experience spanning K–12 education, higher education, and STEM workforce development, he is passionate about building sustainable systems, developing leaders, and driving strategic growth. As a member of the Franchise
Ascension Initiative Cohort, Dr. King is focused on leveraging scalable business principles to expand educational impact and create lasting organizational success.
Franchise Interests
Children’s Products & Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Senior Care & Healthcare
MIA KING
Brooklyn, NY
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Director
,
Upscale Brand Programs & Innovation | Choice Hotels International
Mia King is a brand operations and customer experience strategist with experience spanning hospitality, retail, and consulting. She currently serves as Director of Upscale Brand Programs & Innovation at Choice Hotels International, where she develops and scales brand initiatives across a portfolio of hotel brands and helps translate brand standards into practical, profitable property-level execution.
Prior to Choice Hotels, Mia led digital customer strategy initiatives at Macy’s and worked as a consultant at Bain & Company, where she advised organizations across healthcare, utilities, and cultural institutions on improving customer experience, operational performance, and growth. Her work has consistently focused on understanding customer behavior, designing scalable systems, and driving adoption of new programs through data-informed decision making.
Top Franchise Interests
Children’s Products & Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Through her experience working closely with hotel owners and operators in her current role, Mia became increasingly interested in the franchise business model and its unique blend of entrepreneurship, brand building, and operational excellence. She is excited to deepen her knowledge of franchise ownership through the Franchise Ascension Initiative and explore opportunities to build and operate businesses that create lasting value.
DAMON LAWRENCE
Baltimore, MD
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Founder | Homeage Hospitality
Damon Lawrence is a multi-venture entrepreneur working at the intersection of hospitality, real estate, and technology. As Director of Hospitality at Vanadium Group, he leads capital advisory and hotel development strategy across the Mid-Atlantic, underwriting projects from ground-up construction to adaptive reuse. He is the founder and CEO of Homage Hospitality, a boutique hotel brand and consultancy centered on storytelling-driven repositioning. Alongside co-founder Sabine Vessnow, he also built Weldon Work, an AI-native workforce operating system designed to modernize hospitality staffing and operations. Damon's work spans investor relations, capital raises, and go-to-market strategy for independent hotel owners and operators, most recently through Underwrote.AI, an AI-powered hotel underwriting platform he is bringing to market. He is active in independent hospitality communities and has spoken at industry events on the value of hospitality professionals' voices and stories.
A new father and active member of his congregation, Damon brings the same discipline to his personal life as his ventures — training in boxing and pursuing structured fitness goals. He joins the FAI cohort eager to translate his hospitality and capital markets expertise into franchise ownership.
Business Services
Food & Restaurant
Sports & Recreation
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Founder | Ranchos Ventures
Andy Louis-Charles is the Managing Partner at Ranchos Ventures, a pre-seed fund and venture studio that co-founds, funds, and scales cash-flowing businesses into category-defining franchise brands. He co-owns Maui Glow Club, a two-location spray tan studio in Northern Virginia. Before Ranchos, Andy was Chief Strategy Officer at Custom Ink, where he led over $1B in middle-market corporate transactions. Before
ANDY LOUIS-CHARLES
Oakton, VA
Franchise Stage: Growth-stage Operator
Custom Ink, Andy was a real-money portfolio manager at The Motley Fool. Andy began his career by buying into a six-figure homebuilding business, which he scaled into an eight-figure real estate company, then became a multi-unit Liberty Tax franchisee. Andy believes AI is accelerating a shift in how businesses grow and how careers are built: the next generation of great brands will scale through franchisees, not employees, and the next generation of white-collar professionals will pursue ownership, not employment. He invests across the entire franchise asset class, from franchisee to franchisor. He joined FAI to sharpen his edge as a multi-unit operator and give back on deal structure and financing. Andy earned an Industrial & Systems Engineering degree from Georgia Tech and a JD from the University of Florida.
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home-based and/or Mobile
Home Products & Services
Internet & Technology
LORI LUCAS
Atlanta, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Senior Graphic Designer | HNTB
Business Services
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Retail
With more than 15 years of experience in corporate marketing, graphic design, and brand strategy, Lori Lucas has built a career helping organizations tell compelling stories through thoughtful, strategic communications. Throughout her career, she has partnered with executives, business leaders, and cross-functional teams to create impactful marketing campaigns, presentations, proposals, and visual communications that drive engagement, strengthen brands, and support business growth. Known for her collaborative approach and ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visuals, Lori has led creative and marketing initiatives across a variety of industries and organizations. She is passionate about developing work that not only captures attention but also serves a meaningful business purpose and delivers measurable results. Outside of her professional work, Lori has a growing interest in entrepreneurship and franchising. She is particularly drawn to the opportunities franchising creates for business ownership, community impact, and long-term wealth building. Through the Franchise Ascension Initiative, she hopes to learn from experienced franchise leaders, expand her understanding of franchise operations and development, and explore pathways to future business ownership. Lori brings creativity, curiosity, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning to every opportunity she pursues.
RYAN LUCAS
Atlanta, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Marketing Manager | Reliance Worldwide Corp.
Ryan Lucas is a business professional with 15 years of experience in finance and marketing. In previous roles, he has managed multi-million dollar advertising budgets for brands within the hospitality, tech, and manufacturing industries. He has led marketing efforts that span across product launches, branding initiatives and leading diverse teams. Complementing his corporate background, Ryan co-owns and operates a pecan orchard, along with family, preserving a generational legacy of agricultural land management and agribusiness operations. Ryan is excited to join the FAI program and looks forward to leveraging its resources and network to launch his journey into franchise ownership. Accompanying a degree in Business Administration, Ryan possesses skills in marketing, finance, and operations that would promote success in the franchise space. Driven by a vision of scalable entrepreneurship, Ryan aims to build a diverse portfolio of business assets that deliver strong and sustainable financial returns while actively creating positive impact in local communities.
Business Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home Products & Services
Internet & Technology
ROSEMARY MBURU
Canton, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
CEO
|
Elder Maze Solutions
, Inc.
Rosemary Mburu is a Senior Technical Program and Product Manager with 17 years of experience leading large-scale programs in banking, payments, and fintech. A Cornell MBA graduate, she has held leadership roles at U.S. Bank and Elavon Payments, driving enterprise technology transformation.
She is also the CEO of Elder Maze Solutions, Inc., an Aging Life Care Management company helping seniors and their families navigate geriatric care with compassion and expertise. Rosemary is based in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two adult children.
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
SHERINE METAYER
Miami, FL
Franchise Stage: Early-stage
Franchisee
Franchise Owner | Wetzel’s Pretzels
Dr. Sherine Metayer is an entrepreneur, adjunct business faculty member, and organizational leader with more than a decade of experience in business strategy, operations, project management, and workforce development. As an adjunct professor of business, she educates and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through courses focused on entrepreneurship, lean startup methodologies, marketing, and business growth. Sherine is the owner and operator of a Wetzel’s Pretzels franchise location, where she applies her expertise in franchise operations, customer experience, marketing, financial management, and business optimization. Her entrepreneurial experience has deepened her passion for expanding access to business ownership and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. She holds a Ph.D. in Ethical Leadership, a Master of Science in Global Business, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration. Through the Franchise Ascension Initiative, Sherine seeks to expand her franchise knowledge, connect with industry leaders, and develop strategies to grow as a successful franchise owner while promoting entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Food & Restaurant
Sports & Recreation
RODNEY MILLER
Temple Hills. MD
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Investment Advisor Representative | PFS Advisors, Inc.
Rodney Miller is an Investment Advisor Representative, insurance professional, and business strategist with more than 20 years of leadership experience across financial services, federal government, project management, and business consulting. He specializes in retirement plan consulting, wealth management, and helping business owners develop strategies for long-term financial independence. A former NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor, Rodney has extensive experience in negotiations, business development, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has managed complex projects, advised executives on strategic initiatives, and helped individuals and organizations build sustainable growth strategies. Rodney is exploring franchising as a pathway to scalable business ownership and community economic development. Through the Franchise Ascension Initiative, he aims to combine his expertise in finance, operations, and leadership with the proven systems of franchising to build businesses that create jobs, expand ownership opportunities, and promote generational wealth within underserved communities.
Education, Training & Staffing
Food & Restaurant
Senior Care & Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
MATTHEW MILLER
Pittsboro, NC
Franchise Stage: Franchise
Employee Seeking Ownership
Marketing Manager | Wisdom Senior Care
Matthew Miller is a dedicated leader with more than 11 years of experience serving nonprofit youth organizations and over five years in senior care, where he has worked as both a compassionate caregiver and Agency Director. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in operations, team leadership, client relations, and community engagement while maintaining a strong commitment to improving the lives of those he serves. Matthew earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Oral Roberts University and currently resides in Franklinton, North Carolina. Passionate about entrepreneurship and leadership, he is expanding his knowledge across multiple industries as he pursues his long-term goal of becoming a successful franchise owner and building businesses that create meaningful opportunities and lasting community impact.
Children’s Products & Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Senior Care & Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
Top Franchise Interests
ANDREW NGUYEN
Lanham, MD
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
CEO | The O Agency
Andrew Nguyen is an Event Production CEO and Founder with a proven track record of producing high-impact live, hybrid, and corporate experiences for brands, organizations, and institutions. With deep expertise across A/V production, LED walls, staging, and on-site technical execution, he specializes in delivering polished, highstakes events that run smoothly from planning through showtime. His prior experience in the event world came from scaling Build Your Own Brand LIVE, a conference startup series that attracted 3,000+ in-person attendees across major U.S cities such as Washington DC, Atlanta, GA, & Miami, FL, while creating millions of dollars in local economic impact. Brand partners and previous clients include corporate, government, and national non- profits looking to make a huge impact through event marketing and execution. In addition to leading a growing B2B production company, Andrew is an HBCU alumni, a multi-family real estate investor and M&A consultant with a long-term focus on building scalable, cash-flowing businesses.
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Financial Services
Internet & Technology
Event Services
JAMERUS PAYTON
Rocky Mount, NC
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Cleaning & Maintenance
Food & Restaurant
Home Products & Services
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Operations and Supply Chain Leader
Jamerus Payton, a two-time graduate of the College of Science and Technology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University who also holds a master's degree from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, is an operations and supply chain leader, entrepreneur, author, and community advocate with more than 18 years of experience leading complex manufacturing, supply chain, and business operations. Throughout his corporate career, he has built and led largescale teams, optimized multimillion-dollar operations, and delivered sustainable business results through strategic leadership, continuous improvement, automation, and data-driven decision-making. In addition to his corporate career, Jamerus is the co-owner of Carolina Chicken & Waffles® , an award-winning, family-owned food and beverage company known for its innovative mobile business model and community impact. Through FAI, he seeks to expand his knowledge of franchising as a pathway to building scalable businesses, creating jobs, and generating lasting economic impact.
ROHAN RAMSAY
Bronx, NY
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Corporate Affairs & Communications | American Express
Rohan Ramsay is a corporate affairs and communications leader with more than 15 years of experience advising executives and helping organizations navigate business transformation, reputation challenges, and high-stakes moments. Throughout his career, he has held communications leadership roles at American Express, JPMorgan and KPMG partnering with senior leaders to build trust, strengthen reputation, and drive business outcomes. A graduate of Morehouse College and Georgetown University, Rohan has built a career translating complex business priorities into compelling narratives, leading media relations, executive visibility, stakeholder engagement, and corporate reputation initiatives. He is passionate about leadership, mentorship, and helping organizations communicate with authenticity and impact. Rohan is pursuing franchise ownership as an opportunity to build long-term wealth, create economic opportunity, and leverage his business, marketing, and leadership experience in a new way. He is particularly interested in service-based businesses that combine strong unit economics, operational excellence, and meaningful community impact.
Business Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
TANICKA ROBESON
Greensboro, NC
Franchise Stage: Early-stage
Franchisee
Owner | Huntington Learning Center Greensboro
Dr. Tanicka Robeson is an experienced educator, instructional coach, and the owner of Huntington Learning Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. A first-generation college student driven by a passion for youth development, she holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Before launching her business, Tanicka spent years serving the public school system as a classroom teacher, curriculum coach, assistant principal, and principal. Today, she leverages her deep pedagogical expertise and executive leadership background to bridge student learning gaps, scale academic enrichment programs, and mentor instructional staff. Under her leadership, the Greensboro center provides high-impact, customized tutoring and STEM initiatives that accelerate reading and math proficiency for local students. Dedicated to community advocacy and educational equity, Tanicka partners closely with families and schools to ensure every child has the foundational skills needed to thrive.
Education, Training & Staffing
FAMIA ROOTS
Shreveport, LA
Franchise Stage: Early-stage
Franchisee
President & Owner | The Growth Coach of Greater Shreveport
Famia Roots is a business and leadership coach, U.S. Army veteran, and executive leader with 25 years of experience in healthcare information technology operations and more than 13 years in senior leadership roles. After a successful career in healthcare technology and operations leadership, she launched The Growth Coach of Greater Shreveport, where she helps business owners and leaders strengthen their leadership skills, improve team performance, and achieve sustainable growth.
Famia is passionate about expanding opportunities for veterans, military families, and underserved communities through entrepreneurship, workforce development, and leadership development. She serves as an Ambassador for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), helping strengthen connections, resources, and opportunities within the veteran entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Home-based and/or Mobile
She holds a Master’s in Human Service Administration and an MBA in Executive Leadership. Through her coaching practice and community involvement, she is committed to helping others build successful businesses, develop strong leaders, and create lasting impact. Famia views franchising as a powerful pathway to business ownership, economic mobility, community investment, and generational wealth.
U.S. Veteran
SHARI SHEFFIELD
Washington, DC
Growth-Stage Operator
Franchise Owner | AS Wellness, LLC Top Franchise Interests
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Internet & Technology
Senior Care & Healthcare
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
Shari Sheffield is an entrepreneur, franchise owner, business strategist, and intellectual property attorney dedicated to building businesses that create lasting value and meaningful impact. She is the owner of AS Wellness, LLC, a wellness franchise in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she serves as General Counsel and focuses on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and exceptional customer experiences. Throughout her career, Shari has served as Senior Trademark and Copyright Counsel for the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army; a Trademark Examining Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Senior Trademark and Copyright Counsel in private practice; and founder of The Perfect Glass, LLC, a wine education and tasting events company. These experiences have given her a unique perspective on leadership, brand building, innovation, and business growth. Shari's entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by resilience, reinvention, and an unwavering belief that great businesses can transform lives and communities. She is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, championing women in business, and helping entrepreneurs build generational wealth through business ownership. As a member of the FAI program, Shari is committed to growing as a leader, contributing to the franchise community, and helping shape the future of franchising through innovation, collaboration, and servant leadership.
MIYISHIA SLAY
Brooklyn, NY
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Tech Marketing Executive
Miyishia Slay is a tech marketing executive with 15 years of experience building brands and go-to-market strategies at the world's most iconic companies — Google, LinkedIn, Samsung, Intuit, Asana, Shopify, and Udemy. She is the architect behind landmark campaigns including LinkedIn's #OpenToWork and #Hiring initiatives, Google's Chromecast launch, and Udemy's market expansion into Africa and Latin America. Known for scaling consumer tech and SaaS products across B2B, B2C, and B2B2C, Miyishia has driven over $1B in revenue and managed $10M+ budgets. A Founding Partner of the marketing community KINDRED and mentor across First Round Fast Track, ACT House/Black Ambition, and TechStars, she is as committed to community as she is to commerce. She holds degrees from St. Mary's College and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Internet & Technology
Senior Care & Healthcare
Travel Cruise & Hotel
ANDRIA STEELE
Alpharetta, GA
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Founder | Aara & Co LLC
Andria Steele is a ten-year Navy veteran, real estate investor, and entrepreneur dedicated to building scalable businesses and creating long-term economic impact. Guided by disciplined execution, strategic thinking, and a commitment to establishing strong foundations before pursuing growth, she is focused on creating sustainable opportunities through business ownership. As the founder of Aara & Co., Andria is developing a portfolio of income-producing assets while expanding into broader business ownership. She is particularly interested in the intersection of real estate, operations, and scalable business systems, leveraging these disciplines to create enduring value across multiple markets.
As a first-generation wealth builder, Andria has forged her own path without a traditional blueprint. That experience has reinforced her belief in the importance of sound judgment, continuous learning, and surrounding herself with mentors and peers who challenge her thinking.
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Director
of
Marketing
&
Communications | OneStreet Residential
LARHONDA STRONG
Douglasville, GA
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Top Franchise Interests
Business Services
Financial Services
Sports & Recreation
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
LaRhonda Strong is a senior leader with 15+ years of experience spanning hospitality and global communications, including roles at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International. A Howard University alumna, she currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications at OneStreet Residential, an Atlanta-based multifamily developer, where she leads brand strategy and marketing across a diverse residential portfolio. Her background in multi-brand digital strategy and conversion-focused marketing, paired with her current work on new development launches and brand refresh initiatives, has deepened her interest in ownership and the operational side of building consumer-facing brands. As an Explorer drawn to hospitality, travel, and hotel concepts, she is energized by applying her strategic and brand-building skills toward franchise ownership, and eager to learn from the FAI community to grow her impact.
Outside of work, she runs Strong by Design, a consulting practice helping small business owners strengthen their brand voice.
MALACHI THOMAS
West Hempstead, NY
Franchise Stage: Franchise
Employee Seeking Ownership
Franchise Interests
Children’s Products & Services
Education, Training & Staffing
Financial Services
Food & Restaurant
Franchise Support | New York Musician’s Center
Malachi Thomas is an emerging franchise and operations professional with five years of experience working within franchise systems across entertainment, hospitality, and education. He began his franchise experience at Dave & Buster’s, where he worked as a management trainer and developed a strong foundation in team leadership, guest experience, operational standards, and staff development. Malachi currently works with New York Musician’s Center, a music education company focused on private lessons, student development, and franchise growth. In his role, he supports franchise development, lead management, parent and student communication, CRM systems, team training, operational processes, and new-location preparation. He has helped improve CRM usage, train management, support internal systems, and contribute to growth initiatives across multiple locations. Most notably, Malachi helped NYMC’s first franchisee reach 100 students before officially opening, demonstrating his ability to support early-stage franchise growth and execution. With a background in musical theatre, performance, management training, and servicebased operations, Malachi brings creativity, communication, leadership, and practical problem-solving to franchise environments built around people, systems, and growth.
NICOLE WADDELL
Hanover, MD
Franchise Stage: Ready for Franchise Ownership
Founder & CEO | Virtual Link, LLC
Nicole Moore Waddell is the CEO & Founder of Virtual Link, LLC, an IT Management Consulting and Technical Advisory firm specializing in organizational transformation and operational excellence. With 25+ years of leadership experience, she has helped enterprise and federal organizations streamline processes, strengthen project delivery, and build high performing management teams. Nicole is known for her ability to execute complex modernization, cybersecurity, and change management initiatives for clients such as Northrop Grumman, T. Rowe Price, LMI, BearingPoint, the Maryland State Highway Administration, the University of the Virgin Islands, and federal agencies including HHS, HUD, and FAA. A visionary operator and systems driven leader, Nicole brings the discipline, structure, and execution mindset essential for successful franchise ownership. She is also a published author, speaker, and Transformation Coach, and the founder of EverRoots Legacy Group, a real estate investment venture focused on community revitalization.
Top Franchise Interests
Food & Restaurant
Home Products & Services
Senior Care & Healthcare
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
TENISHA WARREN
Benson, NC
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities
Operations Specialist, United States Navy
Tenisha Warren is a driven professional, entrepreneur, and leader with 10 years of military service and a strong background in operations, administration, and team development. Known for her adaptability, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence, she has successfully balanced leadership responsibilities while pursuing higher education in Criminal Justice and expanding her business interests.
Passionate about personal growth and community impact, Tenisha brings a disciplined mindset, strong work ethic, and a collaborative approach to every opportunity. She is committed to continuous learning, building meaningful connections, and creating lasting success in both her professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Financial Services
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Retail
Sports & Recreation
JONATHAN WEBB
Public Health, Healthcare, and Nonprofit Executive
Jonathan Webb is a public health, healthcare, and nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience leading organizations that address complex health and community challenges in the U.S. and globally. Recognized for his collaborative leadership and strategic vision, he has a proven track record of driving organizational growth, building high-impact partnerships, and delivering measurable results through sound business strategy and innovation. Jonathan holds a Master of Public Health from George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Franchise Stage: Exploring
Franchise Opportunities West Springfield, VA
Top Franchise Interests
Cleaning & Maintenance
Food & Restaurant
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Home-based and/or Mobile
Sports & Recreation
An entrepreneur at heart, Jonathan approaches life with curiosity and an innovative spirit. He is passionate about creating generational wealth while strengthening communities through sustainable businesses and job creation. His entrepreneurial interests were piqued at a young age when he engaged in his family’s real estate and rental business. He later went on to manage his own real estate portfolio and currently has a new endeavor with his wife: a short-term house boat vacation rental. Jonathan enjoys reading, fitness, music, and spending time with family and friends. He is excited to join FAI and leverage its education, mentorship, and network to build a scalable franchise portfolio that creates lasting economic and community impact.
PENNY YORK
Orlando, FL
Franchise Stage: Early-stage
Franchisee
Top Franchise Interests
Children’s Products & Services
Cleaning & Maintenance
Health, Personal Care & Fitness
Sports & Recreation
Travel, Cruise & Hotel
President | Slate & Summit, Inc.
Penny York is a business leader, entrepreneur, and U.S. Army Veteran with a passion for helping people grow, thrive, and achieve their full potential. Throughout her career, she has led teams, built brands, and driven growth for global organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, Marriott International, and Meta. Penny holds a J.D. and an MBA and has built her career around leadership, strategy, and creating meaningful impact. After more than two decades in corporate leadership and a successful career that included service in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, Penny decided to pursue her longheld dream of business ownership. Franchising appealed to her as a unique path that combines entrepreneurship with proven systems, mentorship, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Penny will soon open an Alloy Personal Training studio in Orlando, FL, combining her passion for wellness, leadership, and community building. Her goal is to create an environment that empowers individuals to become stronger, healthier, and more confident while fostering lasting relationships and positive impact within the community. Penny believes that business ownership can be a powerful vehicle for personal growth, community impact, and financial independence. She is honored to be part of the Franchise Ascension Initiative Mentorship Program and looks forward to learning from fellow participants, mentors, and industry leaders while helping create opportunities for future generations.
U.S. Veteran
CEO | EvolvED Technology Ventures Corp & LearningRx Jersey Shore North
TASHA ANN YOUNGBLOOD BROWN
Long Branch, NJ
Franchise Stage: Early-stage Franchisee
Tasha Youngblood Brown is an entrepreneur, executive strategist, and researcher dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock human potential through cognitive performance, leadership development, and education innovation. She is the Founder and CEO of EvolvED Technology Ventures Corp and owner of a LearningRx Jersey Shore North franchise, where she leads initiatives focused on brain training, workforce readiness, executive performance, and student success. Prior to entrepreneurship, Tasha spent more than two decades in corporate leadership, including serving as a Managing Director with a Big Four consulting firm, where she advised Fortune 500 companies, higher education institutions, and public sector organizations on strategy, governance, risk, and transformation. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Monmouth University Board of Trustees and holds leadership roles across several nonprofit and community organizations. Through her businesses, research, and community leadership, Tasha is building innovative solutions that empower learners, professionals, and organizations to achieve measurable and sustainable success.
