Leonard Hosea Smith Sr. is a Board Member of Hope Key, bringing decades of experience in social work, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy. He holds both a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University, with training in human behavior, social systems, and advocacy.

He has served in senior board leadership roles, including President and National Director of Paralyzed Veterans of America, where he contributed to governance, strategic oversight, and mission-driven leadership.

Living with a spinal cord injury, Leonard brings lived experience and thoughtful governance insight in support of Hope Key’s commitment to inclusion, opportunity, dignity, and community impact.

Dr. Darlene Smith-Raibon is the Executive Director and Founder of Hope Key Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline by providing educational support, mentorship, and positive community engagement for at-risk youth.

With more than 30 years in education and over 20 years in educational leadership and consulting, Dr. Darlene brings deep expertise in Special Education compliance and referral processes, Indian Education programming, ELL/SEI instruction, trauma-informed practices, instructional differentiation, curriculum and teacher development, and social-emotional learning. Her career includes service as an Education Division Director for a Native American community, Director of Special Education and ELL Services, school administrator, and Special Education Director.

Dr. Darlene holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Change. Her work is grounded in a wraparound approach that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally while partnering closely with families, schools, and community stakeholders.

Her commitment to Hope Key’s mission is deeply personal. As a mother of four and a grandmother, and through her family’s lived experience with the school-to-prison pipeline, she is passionate about ensuring young people feel seen, supported, and capable of success in school and in life.

Dr. Darlene is also the author of Saving Our Boys (2nd Edition): Interrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline, which shares practical tools and real-world strategies to help students stay on a path to graduation and opportunity.

Beverly J. Ray, a native of Arizona, holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. She spent the majority of her career in Arizona, focusing on public health, higher education, and entrepreneurship. She began with 10 years of service in Arizona state government as the Director of Diabetes Control & Prevention for the State of Arizona. She also served in Maricopa County government and completed an additional 10 years of service with the Maricopa County Community College District as Program Manager for College Bridge Pathways.

Although Beverly’s professional path has primarily kept her in Arizona, her work created opportunities to travel to many parts of the globe. These experiences helped her increase visibility for her work, build strategic alliances, strengthen communication across communities, partner with constituency groups, and form lifelong friendships—both nationally and internationally.

Now in semi-retirement, Beverly dedicates her time to a thriving career as a freelance writer, writing coach, and author. She has authored two books in her Travel Escapes Series, which entertain readers through fictional travel adventures. Her first book, Hot & Bothered in Cancun, won the Silver, Five Stars, Readers’ Favorite Award, followed by her second adventure, Doin’ the Most on the California Coast. She is also committed to helping others achieve their dreams of becoming successful writers.

In addition, Beverly is a business consultant supporting start-ups and existing businesses, an advocate for seniors, and is dedicated to teaching adults, at-risk youth, and children.

Retired educator Katie D. Nance is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and Educational Administration. She built her career in the Roosevelt School District #66, beginning as a substitute teacher immediately after completing her undergraduate degree. During her tenure with Roosevelt, she served as a special needs teacher and later taught third grade.

Katie also taught third grade for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DODDS), serving one year in Italy and one year in Germany. She later became Principal at Palmdale Elementary School. In the third phase of her career, she joined Roosevelt’s Human Resources Department as Employment Supervisor, where she coordinated district recruitment fairs and managed local and out-of-state recruitment travel.

A native of Chester, Pennsylvania, Katie has also contributed to education beyond the classroom. On behalf of Intel Corporation, she presented at a California conference on the educational component of Intel’s four-year partnership with Palmdale Elementary School (1989). She served as Vice President of AABSE from 1993–1995, became a Fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership and Arizona State University’s Educational Policy Fellowship Program in 1990, and was selected for Arizona State University’s Learning Leadership Program from 2003–2005. While in Human Resources, she was also an active member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) from 2007–2017.

Mattie Johnson is a Chicago native with over 17 years of experience in the banking industry, specializing in commercial banking. Known for her strong work ethic and people-centered approach, Mattie brings a deep understanding of finance, strategy, and relationship-building to all that she does.

She is the proud parent of two children, Brayden and Vivianne, and has been married for five years. Family is central to her life, and in her leisure time, she enjoys traveling abroad with her family and catching the latest films at the movies.

Mattie is deeply passionate about Hope Key and its mission, which reflects her commitment to growth, empowerment, and creating meaningful opportunities for others.

Dr. Kimberly Yarbrough, Ed.D., MBA/HCM, holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration and brings experience across healthcare administration as well as secondary and higher education. For nearly five years, she has served as an Academic Finance Counselor in higher education, guiding students through university policies and academic and financial responsibilities. She also taught high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) business courses and has served as an adjunct faculty member in healthcare administration and management.

With 20+ years in healthcare leadership as a practice manager, healthcare services business administrator, and director of clinical programs, Dr. Yarbrough has led project management, partnerships, compliance, emergency preparedness planning, and performance improvement initiatives, including organizing annual trainings for 200+ participants. She is a published researcher (2022) and has also volunteered in support of youth and community-focused efforts. As she looks toward retirement, she is excited to dedicate more time to Hopekey Foundation’s growth as an active board member, event planner, fundraiser, and volunteer.

Kevin McClelland Jr. (KJ) was born and raised in Arizona and attended multiple schools in the Roosevelt School District, giving him a strong connection to the community Hopekey serves. He is a proud graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Sociology and brings a people-centered lens to youth development and community engagement.

KJ previously volunteered with the AZ Coalition for Change, participating in the Young Business Professionals program and supporting the Our Voice, Our Vote movement. He has served on the Hopekey Foundation board since its inception and remains committed to helping young people recognize their strengths and reach their potential.

As Chairman of Communications, KJ helps shape Hopekey’s public message and is often the primary voice at events, welcoming guests, sharing the mission, recognizing partners and sponsors, and helping tell the stories behind our impact. He also supports Hopekey hands-on through tutoring and mentorship.

Jyevonne Saffold is an educator and school counselor who brings a rare dual perspective to student advocacy, spanning both education and the justice system. She supports students during critical stages of development by building strong partnerships with families and educators and prioritizing accountability, compassion, and growth over punishment.

Before working in education, Jyevonne served9.5 years as a Sheriff’s Detention Officer with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, giving her firsthand insight into the school-to-prison pipeline. This lived experience drives her commitment to early intervention, restorative practices, and keeping students on pathways to success rather than incarceration.

Jyevonne is deeply aligned with Hope Key’s mission to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and help students create safer, stronger futures.

With over 27 years of dedicated service in education, Mrs. JaQueese Dightmon is a passionate and visionary leader known for her commitment to equity, innovation, and lasting impact. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. Throughout her career, she has served in nearly every facet of education, including roles as Principal, Vice Principal, Director, ELL Coordinator, preschool through 12th-grade classroom teacher, and college instructor.

Her experience spans public, private, charter, BIA schools, microschools, and homeschooling environments. As a natural educator and self-driven leader, Mrs. Dightmon excels in diverse educational settings where her strengths in research, reflection, and innovation thrive. She is widely recognized for her out-of-the-box thinking, logical problem-solving, and ambitious work ethic, positioning her as a catalyst for meaningful change.

In addition to her work in K–12 education, Mrs. Dightmon has taught at the collegiate level for over 12 years and has served on several boards. She is the owner and operator of a consulting firm that partners with schools and businesses to support strategic planning, provide professional development, and design practical tools that empower teams to achieve sustainable goals.

Throughout her career, she has remained a steadfast advocate for underrepresented students and a champion for inclusive, student-centered education.

Darzell McClelland is a middle school educator who works closely with students during some of the most critical years of their development. He teaches, mentors, and coaches adolescents, helping them build confidence and reach goals they may not have believed were possible.

Darzell is committed to this work because he has seen how easily students can be pushed in the wrong direction when they lack support and guidance. His approach centers on meeting students where they are and providing individualized, one-on-one support rather than relying on punishment.

Darzell is deeply passionate about Hope Key’s mission to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and help students create better futures.