Our Team

Melina Goldfarb

Even before becoming a trial attorney for the Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office, Melina Goldfarb knew that the American justice system was broken. By the time a client landed on her desk, even if still a teen, she realized they were faced with only bad options. Those available options not only kept her clients from acquiring meaningful employment, they also prevented them from securing stable housing, health insurance, retirement benefits, or even feeding themselves and their families. The one commonality she found among her clients and their families: hopelessness. Many had graduated from highschool yet still could not read. Almost all had experienced trauma and the resulting mental illness. Her clients were all raised in communities where children do not dream of their possibilities, instead imagining a future of limited employment opportunities, food and housing insecurity, and violence. Many are capable; they could have been doctors, lawyers, or entrepreneurs had they been given the encouragement to dream, and the skills necessary to set and achieve such goals. Time and time again, she wished she could have intervened with meaningful intervention before it became too late for them to choose a different path. The truth is, that for many, there was no other visible path. She is driven by a desire to give children the opportunity to break the cycle by providing life skills, strong academics, art, trade, and technology in an environment that meets the needs not only of each child, but of the community as well. Ultimately, she wants to give them the opportunity to dream.

Mindy Douglas

Mindy Douglas graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Theatre and a Master of Arts in Education. She has taught preschool, creative drama grades 1-5, and speech and drama grades 6-12. Currently, she works with her husband to create educational apps for the iPad. She is passionate about expanding arts integration and STEM opportunities in education as a way to improve self-confidence and to develop skills such as communication, problem solving, and teamwork.

Damien Williamson

Damien Williamson grew up on the South Side of Chicago, experiencing firsthand both the shortcomings of the public education system and the relative successes of private schools. He graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with a degree in Psychology then spent a brief stint on Wall Street before discovering the mind-body-spirit ethos of mountain life in Aspen, Colorado. While in Aspen, he has served as the arts and entertainment editor for the Aspen Daily News, the editor of Aspen Peak magazine, and worked in public relations for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. He firmly believes that the failures of the educational system are at the core of myriad societal ills; the cure is a more holistic version of education that better prepares students for the society in which they live. 

Kendall Keel

Born and raised in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kendall Kell graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a focus on Health Education and Sociology. He currently serves as an Instructional Support Teacher at Bumpus Middle School where he helps children with various cognitive and emotional learning disorders. During his school years, Keel’s athletic ability was such that he had the opportunity to attend several top-rated schools for football. However his highschool grades and test scores prohibited him from advancing. He wants to make sure no other kids are limited by their academic success.

Alexander Jobin-Leeds

Alexander Jobin-Leeds graduated in 2019 from The Colorado College where he studied Political Science, Economics, Race and Gender Studies. He has worked for several education based institutions, including many oriented around alternative, holistic approaches to teaching. His professional experience includes political campaigns and grassroots work. He is committed to improving the American education system from all angles, and believes targeting under-resourced communities with holistic programs are the place to start.