OUR TEAM
MERIT Staff
.jpg)
Prior to joining MERIT Health Leadership Academy, Jimmy Tadlock served
as the Program Director for CollegeBound Foundation in Baltimore. Jimmy
helped rebuild the foundation of CollegeBound’s college access program by
creating its first college retention program and was actively involved in
numerous collaborative work groups and committees to support student
success in the Greater Baltimore Area
Jimmy Tadlock graduated from Florida State University and served as a
Cryptologist in the US Navy, where he posted in assignments in various
parts of the world and the National Security Agency (NSA). After the Gulf
War, he resigned his commission and taught middle school math and science
for the Baltimore City Public Schools. Concerned about students least likely
to succeed, Mr. Tadlock designed a model program which caught the
attention of NASA. The success of this program became the model for Earth
KAM, a project whereby school children throughout the country can
communicate with astronauts and monitor space shuttles. His success in the
classroom has led to his teaching summers at the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore.
Samuel Walker III is an experienced College Access, Career Development, and Educational Consulting professional. Mr. Walker is a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics.
Driven by a desire to elevate disadvantaged communities' social, educational, and economic outcomes, he takes pride in providing his talents in solving complex problems and issues.
India Leach is a dedicated College Access and Retention Guru, born and nurtured in Baltimore City. As a student‐focused leader who seeks to drive results around college access, she began her college advising career with the College Bound Foundation. That work led to positions in student support and academic advising at Walden University, KIPP through College ‐ Baltimore, and Towson University. At Towson, India served as the Coordinator of Outreach and Retention for the last four years. On Towson’s campus, India also served as an advisor to several student organizations and a member of several committees who support diversity and inclusion work on campus. India graduated from MERVO High School and then obtained her Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park. India has a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Towson University and is now working to finish up her PHD at Morgan State University.
Prior to joining MERIT Health Leadership Academy, Christine served as the Director of the BEESMART Program operated by Living Classrooms Foundation, also in Baltimore. As a result of experiences in both her personal life and professional career, Christine has developed a deep-seated passion for ensuring that all individuals have access to resources, supports, and opportunities that will enable them to overcome any challenge, and ultimately achieve excellence in their own education and career. She loves to track and celebrate student progress, and in turn demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of high-quality programming to internal stakeholders as well as outside groups. Christine enjoys finding common ground and connecting with teachers/school administrators, professionals/experts, parents, and students from a wide variety of backgrounds. [M.S. Environmental Education, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.]
Cameron Wardell is an experienced educator originating from Annapolis, MD. He received his undergraduate degree, a B.A. in History, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation, Cameron taught Kindergarten-4th grade in Teach for America (San Antonio). He was twice Teacher of the Year and held many leadership roles in the organization and on his campus. Additionally, he has educational experience as a Center Director for Sylvan Learning, Outdoor Facilitator for Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, & Vietnam High School Trip Leader for Putney Student Travel. Cameron enjoys his beloved Tar Heels, Reddit, and the show Survivor.
Octavia Jennings has over 10 years of experience in the Administrative and Customer Service field. She studied Psychology at Rasmussen College in her pursuit of becoming a Therapist. Before joining the Merit team Octavia worked in the Mental Health Field. She takes great pride in assisting all levels of Management. When she is not working she enjoys making music with her children, painting, drawing and various forms of martial arts.
MERIT Board of Directors
Board Chair
Dr. Sherita Golden
Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Staff Success Chair
Chitamawe Daka Mulwanda
Manager of Equity Programs
Baltimore City Public Schools
Strategic Growth Chair
Dr. John Kontor
Executive Vice President
Optum
Dr. David Hellmann
Director
Johns Hopkins Center for Innovative Medicine
Dr. Ilana Mittman
Genetic Counselor
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Dione Powell
Vice President of Human Resources Employee and Labor Relations at Johns Hopkins Medicine
MERIT Co-Founder
Dr. Tyler Mains
Assistant Medical Officer
Jail Health Services at San Francisco Department of Health
Vice Chair
Dr. Rudy Ruiz
Partner
Four Point Education Partners
Fundraising Chair
Kristin Kosmides
Head of Global Citizenship
Franklin Templeton
Treasurer
Brian McDonald
Audit Partner
KPMG
Geoffrey Genth
Principal Attorney
Kramon and Graham
Dr. Scott Wright
Director of the Division of General Internal Medicine
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
MERIT Co-Founder
Shyam Gadwal
Vice President of Programs
APIA Scholars