Our Research Team and Business Experience
Derrick Drakeford, Ph.D. CEO/Principal Investigator
I started my business 19 years ago on the unemployment line. My commitment is that we will always provide the highest level "community-minded" consulting
ddrakeford@drakefordassociates.org
Derrick Drakeford, Ph.D. served on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill, North Carolina Central University, and Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. Derrick holds Ph.D. in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Bachelors in political science from Bethune-Cookman University, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Government. He holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work; and certificates in Proposal Writing and Fundraising for Nonprofits from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana -Purdue University. Derrick received his Ph.D, from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has written eight books: 1) Finding Your Purpose in 15 Minutes,2) Fundraising for Nonprofits What the Bible Says, 3) Starting Your Business from the Unemployment Line, 4) Jada Goes to Pre-School: A Book on Transitions, 5) P5: The Five Secrets to Successful Grant and Bid Proposals, 6) The 2 Laws of Standardized Testing, 7) Inclusion:The Art of Story Listening, and 8) The Purpose Lifestyle.
Noora Hamdan, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator
drhamdan@drakefordassociates.org
Dr. Hamdan investigates how we can promote resilience in youth facing environmental and relational adversities in their everyday lives. She looks at how cognitive, motivational, and community adaptive systems can be leveraged to promote resilience in vulnerable individuals and groups. She is also interested in how accessible technology can be used to promote wellbeing in these groups. She received her Ph.D from Temple University.
Barron Damon, MBM
Technology and Faculty Training
barron@drakefordassociates.org
Barron J. Damon has been a thought leader in the non-profit sector for over 18 years. Barron is a graduate of the University of South Carolina in Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Psychology and a Master’s degree in Business Management from Webster University. He also completed post graduate work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Business and Public Health and a American Express Leadership Fellow. Barron is a seasoned Entrepreneur and Philanthropist and a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coaching Federation. He is also a Certified Non Profit Consultant and Certified Non-Profit Executive
though NANOE
Rubye Braye, Ph.D., PCC, NCBT
Research and Faculty Trainer
Dr. Braye is a business owner, university professor, and retired US Army officer. She has a passion for supporting entrepreneurs in creating new business possibilities and opportunities. She holds a BA, Sociology and Theater Arts from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA; MSBA, Business Administration from Boston University in Boston, MA; PhD, Applied Management and Decision Sciences from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN; Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation; Certificate, Leadership Education Program from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA; and a Certificate, Executive Coach from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
LaTasha Best-Gaddy, MPA
Business Coach
La-Tasha Best-Gaddy is the Chief Strategist of Infinity Bridges, Inc. (IBI), a North Carolina based consulting and training firm that provides innovative solutions to systemic economic development challenges. La-Tasha has over 20 years of experience in the Accounting, Insurance, Financial Services, and Non-Profit Industry Sectors. She is a Business Counselor with the Small Business & Technology Development Center on the campus of NC Central University where she has obtained her BBA in Finance and her MPA as well.
Charles Campbell
Lead Technology Consultant/ Mobile App Developer
Charles is a Computer Science graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and holds a Master of Science in the Management of Information Technology from McIntire School of Commerce at UVA. Charles has over 20 years of software development and engineering experience in a variety of development environments and platforms.
Pierre Barbee-Saunders
Photographer/ Videographer
Pierre is a visual artist who uses photo, video, and digital editing to bring art to life. Pierre is the owner of Envision photoworks. Pierre is a certificate graduate of the Purpose University Startup Curriculum and launched his business through the mobile app. Pierre served as an intern then joined the team in 2019.
Dan Holt
Marketing Consultant
Daniel Holt is a marketing and communications expert with 20 years of experience developing and executing strategic and innovative coalitions, managing crises, and raising organizational profiles at the highest levels of the federal, campaign, non-profit, and private sectors. He has served in five presidential appointments across two White House administrations, directing teams in high-stakes environments across the U.S. and around the world. He is an expert communicator and negotiator who believes that creativity, flexibility, and personal connection are tantamount to solving organizational challenges, and that most problems in business and in life can be solved by connecting the right people.
Amanda Beatrice
Executive Assistant to the President for the Phoenix, AZ Purpose Institute Campus
Amanda is a veteran executive assistant with almost 10 years in the corporate world. Her passion for problem solving and organization is what makes her a key component to our team. She also serves as our intern coordinator. When she is not in the office knocking out work, you might catch her in the Superstition or Blue Ridge Mountains running down a trail.
Emilio Rivas
Research Intern
Originally from Orlando, Florida, Emilio is a second-year student at Stanford University studying Mathematics. He plans to pursue a career in finance, tech, and/or education after his undergraduate career. Aside from his academics, Emilio loves to play soccer, skate, play chess, and sew.