Board of Trustees
Diane Nathanial
Board Chair
Diane has been employed by the New York City Department of Education for the past 13 years as an elementary school counselor at PS 11 in Brooklyn NY.
As a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Diane participates in cancer advocacy as a survivor/patient advocate. She is an Ambassador Constituent Team LEADER with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the legislative arm of the American Cancer Society. In this role, she meets with members of Congress and is engaged in policy development and advocacy of quality healthcare for people who have been affected by cancer.
Diane is a professional inspirational speaker on cancer health with A-Speakers International speakers bureau. She is the co-founder of “Beat Stage 3, Inc.,” a non-profit organization dedicated to raising community awareness about cancer health, screening and prevention. BS3 promotes image consciousness and renewed self-love for those who have suffered the ravages of cancer treatments. The organization highlights and implements health, beauty, and fashion makeovers to influence positive lifestyle changes and improve self-confidence that often disappears during and after treatment.
Her personal experience with cancer has afforded Diane the opportunity to join a research team of doctors and scientists from SUNY Downstate and SUNY Stony Brook Medical Center researching the disparities of “GI Cancer in African Americans” as the Community Liaison. Under the umbrella of “Beat Stage 3, Inc.,” “CAPE Events” (Cancer Awareness Protects Everyone) was created featuring innovative conversations with the community and medical partners discussing the importance of cancer prevention and screening in a stress-free environment. Diane volunteers by speaking and tabling at various health fairs and community events in New York City and other states. Diane feels so strongly about serving her community that she enrolled in SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, School of Public Health where she earned an Advanced Certificate in Public Health focusing on Community Health Science in May 2020.
Mellanie Garner
Governance Committee
Mellanie is currently a regulatory affairs scientist for Cargill Beauty where she researches ingredients for safety and global compliance. In her previous role as a scientist at Avon, she led a team of women in creating and developing STEAM initiatives to motivate young girls to pursue STEAM careers. Through her work leading this group, the team developed the first ever cosmetic science Girl Scout patch and won a congressional award for their mentoring work. She previously worked as a consultant for the Healthy Communities Initiative through Bon Secours Health Systems. Through this work, her main role and mission was to assist local bodegas with transitioning their stores to healthier options. In 2002, Mellanie received a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and in 2012, she received an M.S. in Public Health from New York Medical College with a specialization in Behavioral and Community Health.
Brenda Canty
Vice Chair
Brenda Canty is a retired educator from the New York City Department of Education. She provided guidance and support to over 300 principals and school counselors. She was responsible for suspensions, student placements, and the establishment of youth programs and other supportive services. She retired in 2018 with over 25 years of service. She is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority where she served as a member of the election and audit committee.
Dr. André McKenzie
External Affairs Committee
Prior to his retirement in June 2024, Dr. André McKenzie served as a student affairs and academic affairs administrator at St. John’s University (Queens) for close to 38 years. In his last role as Vice Provost, Dr. McKenzie’s duties included the oversight of federal, state, and city partnership grant programs serving New York City high school and middle school youth. Over his career at St. John’s these programs included the College Access Challenge Grant, Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program, Gear Up, Liberty Partnerships Program, Out of School Time – Middle School Expansion Program, and the Upward Bound Program. State and federal grant programs he oversaw for college students included the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, the Higher Education Opportunity Program, the Ronald McNair Scholars Program, and the Student Support Services Program.
In addition to his role as BELA board member, Dr. McKenzie also serves on the boards of St. John Bread & Life, St. Francis Prep High School (Queens), and the Alliance for Housing Progress. A native of Chicago, IL, Dr. McKenzie received BS and MS degrees from Illinois State University and an M.Ed. and Doctor of Education degrees from Teachers College Columbia University. He is a past president of the Teachers College, Columbia University Alumni Council, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of Adelphic Union Lodge #14, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of NY. “I believe strongly in the mission and purpose of BELA – because of it, I am certain that the young women who enter our doors will have an enriching and transformative educational experience.”
Christina Socias
Academic Committee
Christina comes to BELA from a career in business operations with a passion for girls’ education and development. Christina currently works for Walmart’s Brooklyn-based incubation arm, Store No. 8, to help develop innovative new services and efficiencies for the retailer. She previously worked at Bridgewater Associates and Via Transportation where she first developed her interest and experience in business operations for high growth teams. Outside of work, Christina enjoys being a part of the BELA community. She believes there is no greater investment than an investment of time and money in the education and development of young women. She first joined BELA as a mentor in the school’s inaugural year and now enjoys being a team member behind the scenes with the BELA Board of Trustees.
Michael Lackwood
Finance Committee
Michael Lackwood is a founder of Spring Delta Asset Management after an extensive career on Wall Street. Michael built a career in the finance industry and a passion for helping others. He realized his clients deserved flexible, tailored solutions designed with their best interests in mind and started a firm that meets the need to provide innovative, personalized solutions to wealth management. Michael works to continually deliver innovative approaches to diversify financial services. He focuses on creating sustainable and secure futures for his client base, driving him to boldly confront his customers’ biggest financial challenges. Outside of his financial day job, Michael is an avid art collector and enthusiast and is the captain of a soccer team at Chelsea Piers.
Alma Mends
Governance Chair
Alma is a human capital strategist at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where she focuses global workforce strategy for the firm. Previously, she was a management consultant with PwC working with clients on large-scale transformations and providing change management solutions around organizational and cultural change. She also worked in the nonprofit industry, first providing consulting services to small businesses and then managing economic and community development programs. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Tufts University and later received her MBA from Columbia University. Alma is of Ghanaian heritage and was raised in Houston, Texas, but has made New York City her home for more than 10 years. Her commitment to BELA is driven both by her belief in BELA’s mission as well as her personal experience in being raised by a mother who is a product of an all-female education. She believes that BELA’s program provides young women with the resources and opportunities to be stewards of change in their communities.
Iymaani Aytes
External Affairs Committee
External Affairs Committee
Iymaani Aytes serves on the Board of Trustees of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA), where she champions education, equity, and community engagement, leveraging her expertise and strategic partnerships to expand access and create meaningful opportunities for students to thrive.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Iymaani is the Founder and Principal Consultant of The Aytes Agency, a mission-driven consulting firm specializing in arts, culture, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Her career includes leading national arts education programs at Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation and advancing student social-emotional learning through New York University’s (NYU) INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament.
She has shaped major initiatives including the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ Atlanta Jazz Festival & ELEVATE Festival, HBCU AccessFest at the Woodruff Arts Center, and Night of Ideas, designing equity-centered programs that make the arts accessible and transformative.
Ms. Aytes holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University.
BELA Board Meetings 2022-23