Our Staff

The success of BEST Kids would not be possible without the hard work, experience, and passion that each of our staff members bring to the organization.
Krislyn Mossman
Executive
Director
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Krislyn Mossman

Executive Director
Krislyn joined BEST Kids as Executive Director in 2013. She received her master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and her bachelor’s degree in Family Life Services from Point Loma Nazarene University. Krislyn has devoted her career to nonprofit service including experience working with mentoring programs and working with foster youth. She is from Maui, Hawaii and moved to the DC area in 2012. A sports fanatic, she enjoys playing soccer, going to sporting events and playing fantasy football and basketball.
Ashley Shepard
Assistant Program dIRECTOR
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Ashley Shepard

Mentoring Support Specialist
Ashley joined BEST Kids in January 2018. She graduated from the University of Kansas in December of 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Intervention & Education. During her time in Kansas, she spent most of her time working with young children with disabilities and served as a High School volleyball coach. Ashley is a DMV native who has a strong passion in helping children develop and building relationships, all stemming from her time as an Early Childhood Teacher in North Carolina. Ashley is excited to be back in the DMV area with her family and continuing her passion of assisting children in fulfilling their dreams.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball, and trying out new restaurants with her husband.
Andy Miller
​Program Director
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Andy Miller

Program Director
Andy joined the BEST Kids team in March 2015. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Youth Ministries and Music, and a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in Youth Development, all from Eastern University. Andy has been professionally serving youth in DC since 2007 through a myriad of contexts including public housing and homeless shelters. Along with being a volunteer mentor, Andy and his wife, Julie, are proud foster parents in DC’s Child and Family Services Agency. Andy is a movie buff and will talk good films with anyone. In the springtime, Andy enjoys a good baseball game played by our own Washington Nationals.
Walter MacDougall
Mentoring Support Specialist
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Walter MacDougall

Mentoring Support Specialist
Walter joined the BEST Kids team in January 2016. He graduated from Northeastern University in May of 2015 with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. Walter has a strong passion for mentoring, stemming from his previous work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and from being a former mentor himself. In his free time, he enjoys a wide variety of tv shows, movies and outdoor adventures. He is also quite proficient when it comes to movie quotes.
Dan'Talisha Deans
Development
Director
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Dan'Talisha Deans

Development Director
Dan'Talisha joined BEST Kids as the Development Director in October 2019. She received her master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing and Social Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. She brings extensive experience in leadership, project management, conducting analyses, and strategic planning. She has a wealth of knowledge on building and strengthening communities, non-profit management, and human capital management. Dan’Talisha has a love for the arts and is also a professional singer, recording artist, and songwriter. She loves to dance too.​
Saad Rehman
Mentoring Support Specialist
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Saad Rehman

Mentoring Support Specialist
Saad joined the BEST Kids team in September 2019. Before joining BEST Kids, he spent seven years serving as a teacher, mentor, and community organizer in high-need communities, mostly in the Detroit area. He received his master’s degree in Secondary Education from Oakland University and his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. Saad is excited to return to the DMV area and use his experience and skills in the service of a powerful mission. Saad enjoys exploring nature (mountain biking, hiking, camping, swimming), watching movies, and playing video games.​
​Carl Scott
Mentoring
​Support Specialist
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Carl Scott

Mentoring Support Specialist
Carl joined the BEST Kids team in August 2017. Carl is a Bronx native whose goal in life is to travel the world and help adolescents overcome any obstacle. He has lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, and now he is a Maryland resident. Carl graduated from the illustrious school by the sea, Savannah State University, in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Sociology. Carl has a passion for working with under privileged youth, and writing. Carl has a helping attitude and lives by the quote "If one person can eat, so can two. And if Two people can eat, so can four." Sharing and teaching are some his strengths, just to name a few. In Carl's spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, trying new foods from different regions of the world, and watching American Ninja Warrior.
Nia Brown
Recruitment & Communications Specialist
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Nia Brown

Recruitment & Communications Specialist
Nia joined the BEST Kids team as the Recruitment and Communications Specialist in February 2019. She is a proud DMV native and 2018 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, focusing in Public Relations. After graduation, Nia found her passion for nonprofit work by serving on the team of several youth serving organizations in the D.C. metro area. She is happy to bring her experience and passion to BEST Kids. Some of Nia’s hobbies include cooking, reading, and traveling.  
Fred Hawkins
Admissions Specialist
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Fred Hawkins

Admissions Specialist
Fred joined the BEST Kids team as the Admissions Specialist in July 2019. Fred is a New York native, and after completing his time at Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee Alabama, he moved to Harlem, NY. After gaining over a decade of youth development and leadership experience with at-risk and justice-involved youth, Fred moved to the Washington DC area to plant his roots and continue his career in the field he is most passionate about, youth development. Fred is purpose-driven and truly believes in the mission of BEST Kids. With a positive and proactive personality, Fred is a proud father, proud youth developer, and proud to be of service.  
Cynthia Jones
Peer Group
​Team Leader
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Cynthia Jones

Peer Group Team Leader
Cynthia is originally from Nashville, TN and moved to the Washington DC area at the beginning of 2018. She attended Hampton University and earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Management and went on to receive her Master's degree at Belmont University in Sport Administration. Cynthia's background is in food and beverage management, where she has worked with many teams and individuals and led them to success. She is a beacon for leadership and development and believes that all goals can be met with the right mindset and proper training. Cynthia originally joined BEST Kids as an independent contractor for Art of the Matter 2018, and has accepted the challenge as Peer Group Team Leader. In her spare time, Cynthia enjoys singing, dance fitness, traveling, exploring other cultures, and 90's nostalgia.  
Liselor Pierre
Peer Group
​Coordinator
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Liselor Pierre

Peer Group Coordinator
Liselor joined the BEST Kids team in July of 2019. A Florida native, Liselor grew up in Broward County, then moved to Tallahassee, FL in pursuit of a B.S. in Psychology from Florida A&M University and Master of Social Work from Florida State University. Liselor Pierre works in the nonprofit sector as a case manager in Montgomery County, Maryland. Liselor has a passion for equipping at-risk youth with tools to succeed in adverse environments. For fun, Liselor enjoys exploring the District, trying new restaurants, and listening to podcasts. 
Christine Vernon
Peer Group
​Coordinator
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Christine Vernon

Peer Group Coordinator
Christine joined BEST Kids in July of 2019 as a Peer Group Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration of Child/Human Development and minored in both Political Science and Theater at Howard University. Christine works as a 4th grade teacher where she is committed to creating a world filled with love and limitless opportunities for youth. She also enjoys having a good time with friends, trying out new and not so new restaurants, and reading. 
Ira Luke III
Peer Group
Coordinator
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Ira Luke III

Peer Group Coordinator
Luke is originally from Philly and moved to the Washington DC area in 2014. He attended Susquehanna University and earned his Bachelor's degree in Communications. Luke has mentored youth beginning in high school with the Philadelphia Freedom School Movement in the late 90s. His work continued in the non-profit and charter school sector over the past 12 years. Luke has an array of experience in guiding youth and their families to successful outcomes in three different states (PA, MD, NJ) and the District. Luke is enthusiastic about joining BEST Kids as the Peer Group Coordinator for Team EXTREME. In his spare time, Luke enjoys sports, fitness, cooking, music, and spending time with his family.