Deona Carter
Board Vice Chair
Dr. Deona Carter currently serves professionally as the eCampus Director for the Technical College System of Georgia where she supports the expansion of online education access to citizens across the state and beyond. She has also been an undergraduate faculty member for Southern New Hampshire University since 2014. She has been working in the field of higher education expressly for over fifteen years. Dr. Carter has experience with the student life cycle from enrollment through to graduation at all levels. Her specialties include higher education leadership, academic advising management, policy, procedure, and curriculum development, as well as student support services. As a wife and mother of three, Dr. Carter understands the challenges of managing a career and contributing to family while seeking to engage with the community at large through service. Dr. Carter has served as a community liaison charged with building and maintaining community partnerships in Georgia.
Dr. Carter is a passionate leader in education with vast knowledge of student development. She has experience with successfully completing regional accreditation reviews having participated in multiple audits. As an institutional leader, Dr. Carter also has experience with budget management and review. Dr. Carter seeks to improve student outcomes in every organization she aligns with. She understands what it takes to support student success at every level of the educational journey.
Dr. Carter holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, a Master of Arts in Post-Secondary Education from Argosy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies from Berea College.
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Coriya Burns Falker
Board Member
Kristen Moses
Board Secretary
kmoses@brightenacademy.com
Kristen Moses has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and Interpersonal Communications. She is a published Journalist, writing for various magazines and media outlets. She has worked with nonprofit organizations and young adult programs providing services such as resume building, interview coaching, and mentorship.
​She is a Communications Specialist with over 10 years' experience working with various Fortune 500 companies. She has served on the Brighten Academy PTO board as Membership Chair assisting with organizing both school events and fundraising events. She has a strong passion for community uplift, community outreach, as well as children's education. She is married with two sons, and a dog mom to Winston. Her family enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and community service.
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Matthew Vitale
Board Member
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Nadra Lord
Board Member
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Regina Finan
Board Member
rfinan@brightenacademy.com
Dr. Regina Finan (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Agnes Scott College. After a career in higher education administration, she earned her M.S degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Georgia. Her career working with college students, experience with mental health counseling, and training as a counselor educator provide her with unique perspectives on education, administration, servant leadership, and wellbeing practices. Her research focuses on diversity and social justice practices, wellbeing, and career & work considerations across the lifespan. The Finan family has been a part of the Brighten Academy Charter School community since 2014. Dr. Finan remains invested in and committed to the ongoing growth and success of Brighten Academy as an educational and community entity.
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Reginald Zackery
Board Treasurer
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Shauncey Battle
Board Member