Board of Directors
Naketa Ross, Executive Director
Founder
Naketa Ross is the epitome of resilience. She founded our researched based, trauma informed program to assist young adults in preparing to age out of foster care. She moved to Arizona after studying Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Upon moving to Arizona, Naketa began working with marginalized youth as an advocate and empower them to make healthy decisions. It is during her work with the youth that Naketa realized the gap in services provided for youth leaving foster care ages 15-21. This inspired her to start ResilientMe to fill the void left by legislators and organizations.
Founder
Naketa Ross is the epitome of resilience. She founded our researched based, trauma informed program to assist young adults in preparing to age out of foster care. She moved to Arizona after studying Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Upon moving to Arizona, Naketa began working with marginalized youth as an advocate and empower them to make healthy decisions. It is during her work with the youth that Naketa realized the gap in services provided for youth leaving foster care ages 15-21. This inspired her to start ResilientMe to fill the void left by legislators and organizations.
Maren Mahoney
Maren and her husband Eric are licensed foster parents who are lucky enough to be in the process of adopting two amazing children, Zach, who is 3, and London, who is 18 months. Prior to becoming licensed as a foster parent, Maren mentored a teen girl in the foster system for four years. Professionally, Maren Mahoney manages EPIC, an energy policy think tank based in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University. As part of her work for EPIC, Maren conducts legal and regulatory analysis on transformative energy policies for state, county and local governments. She graduated from New York Law School in 2005 and holds active state bar membership in both New York and Arizona. She obtained a Master’s degree from ASU’s School of Sustainability in 2011, where she co-founded The Sustainability Review online magazine and workshop. Previously, Maren was a litigator in New York. She believes that through significant policy improvements, community support, and individual skill building, every child can have the opportunity to be experience a joyful childhood, and to define and achieve their own success as an adult.
Maren and her husband Eric are licensed foster parents who are lucky enough to be in the process of adopting two amazing children, Zach, who is 3, and London, who is 18 months. Prior to becoming licensed as a foster parent, Maren mentored a teen girl in the foster system for four years. Professionally, Maren Mahoney manages EPIC, an energy policy think tank based in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University. As part of her work for EPIC, Maren conducts legal and regulatory analysis on transformative energy policies for state, county and local governments. She graduated from New York Law School in 2005 and holds active state bar membership in both New York and Arizona. She obtained a Master’s degree from ASU’s School of Sustainability in 2011, where she co-founded The Sustainability Review online magazine and workshop. Previously, Maren was a litigator in New York. She believes that through significant policy improvements, community support, and individual skill building, every child can have the opportunity to be experience a joyful childhood, and to define and achieve their own success as an adult.
Semaj T Funderburg
Semaj T Funderburg is the mother of 12 year old twin daughters. She currently works in Human Resources as a Classification and Compensation Analyst for the State of Arizona Department of Child Safety. Prior to coming to Arizona in 2016, she worked as an Administrative Coordinator at the University of Chicago Hospital. Semaj graduated in 2014 from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Human Resources.
Semaj T Funderburg is the mother of 12 year old twin daughters. She currently works in Human Resources as a Classification and Compensation Analyst for the State of Arizona Department of Child Safety. Prior to coming to Arizona in 2016, she worked as an Administrative Coordinator at the University of Chicago Hospital. Semaj graduated in 2014 from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Human Resources.
Todd Belfer
Todd Belfer is Managing Partner of Canal Partners.
He was a founder of the successful Japanese restaurant chain RA, Additionally, Mr. Belfer serves on the Board of Directors for Omedix, Deal Current Network, Limos.com, ClickDimensions, and Sauce Pizza & Wine.
Todd Belfer is Managing Partner of Canal Partners.
He was a founder of the successful Japanese restaurant chain RA, Additionally, Mr. Belfer serves on the Board of Directors for Omedix, Deal Current Network, Limos.com, ClickDimensions, and Sauce Pizza & Wine.