Meet the Team

Leanna Calvin, LCSW

Founder and Executive Director

Leanna is a creative and free-spirited individual. She obtained her BSW from Tuskegee University and MSW from Fordham University. Leanna has a background in the field of mental health and youth development. Some may attribute her success to obtaining her MSW, becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and serving in several leadership roles. She identifies her success as the impact she has had on each individual encountered throughout her life. Leanna was given the vision to develop a creative youth program many years ago and has worked hard to make the vision become a reality. She has worked with many youth in several states including California, Alabama, New York and Charlotte. Through her work she noticed a theme of youth having a lack of knowledge on various careers and struggling to understand their uniqueness, hence the birth of Exposure Project. Leanna founded Exposure Project with the hope and belief that the program will have an impact on the world like no other!

Apryl Lewis

Youth Specialist

Apryl is a passionate community advocate and the founder of Kinetic Works LLC, a consulting and community development firm focused on stabilizing underserved communities. With over eight years of grassroots organizing experience, she brings a deep commitment to youth empowerment and social change.

As Youth Specialist at The Exposure Project, Apryl works closely with young people to elevate their voices, reduce youth violence, and foster leadership, emotional intelligence, and purpose. Her work is driven by lived experience, strategic vision, and a strong belief in the power of youth to shape a better future.

Ashley Everett

Development Manager

Ashley is a purpose-driven strategist with over a decade of experience at the
intersection of community and impact. As Development Manager for Exposure Project, Ashley
leads fundraising strategy and relationship development to power our innovative programs. She brings a passion for community impact and authentic, value-based communication, cultivating meaningful connections with individual donors and corporate partners alike. Throughout her career, Ashley has helped mission-driven organizations and leaders thrive through thoughtful events, strategic communications, and impactful community-building.

Kaela Green

Board Chair

Kaela is a digital marketing leader specialized in Paid Social Media strategy. Kaela has delivered business results for Fortune 500 brands to mid-size businesses in retail, sports, CPG, non-profit, higher ed and more. In recent years, Kaela has emerged as an outspoken champion for marginalized communities, devoting much of her time to ERG work and elevating communities of color. Kaela attended Penn State University, studying Marketing and International Business, and recently relocated from her home of NYC to Charlotte, North Carolina where she enjoys being out on the lake and exploring new restaurants.

Jermile Batten Hayes, CFP

Board Treasurer

Jermile is a native of Richmond, VA. She studied Finance at Elon University while also playing on the women’s basketball team at the Division 1 level. Jermile currently serves as Vice President, Managing Director for Fidelity Investments in Charlotte, NC. Prior to Fidelity, Jermile spent most of her career at Vanguard as a high-net-worth Certified Financial Planner™. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. Jermile loves to give back to the community. She is passionate about educating and empowering the youth and underprivileged communities

Nastassia Colimon

Board Secretary

Nastassia is a dedicated educator, nonprofit leader, and advocate for inclusive education with extensive experience in special education, executive function coaching, and community development. A Haitian native, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and social service, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in special education.

In 2014, Nastassia returned to Haiti to further her impact in the education sector. She became the Executive Director of La Ressource, where she leads a multidisciplinary team, conducts comprehensive academic assessments, and develops training programs for educators, parents, and organizations. Additionally, she works as a Special Education Consultant, coaching executive function skills, designing intervention strategies, and advocating for inclusive learning solutions. She currently serves as Clinical Director at L’Envol in Canada, where she oversees operations and ensures high-quality support for individuals with diverse learning needs.

A devoted wife and mother of two, Nastassia is passionate about shaping future generations, fostering accessibility in education, and empowering communities.

Betseat Getachew

Board Member

Betseat Getachew is a Management Consultant who specializes in articulating, defining, and structuring complex, ill-defined problems within the financial services sector through the lens of business transformation. Previously, he worked at Morgan Stanley as a Strategy & Operations Consultant, focusing on optimizing Shared Services to enhance operational effectiveness. He began his career at JP Morgan as a Financial Analyst, rotating across Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Recovery & Resolution desks.

Betseat holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from La Salle University and is an alumnus of the Think Tank and Civil Society Program at the Lauder Institute. Reared in Prince George’s County, MD, Betseat brings a unique perspective shaped by his roots in a diverse and dynamic community. Passionate about creating meaningful change, he is deeply committed to promoting economic empowerment for historically underrepresented minorities. Outside of work, Betseat enjoys playing tennis, watching basketball, and traveling.

Maria Burke

Board Member

Maria is a seasoned executive with 30+ years of experience in healthcare and renal industries, specializing in operations, compliance, strategy, and business development. Most recently, she served as President, Fresenius Medical Care Practice Services, LLC, a division at Fresenius Medical Care, the world's largest renal care organization, where she was a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO.

Originally from Kentucky, Maria has called the Charlotte area home for 25 years. She and her husband have one son, a North Carolina State undergraduate. Outside of work, she enjoys golf, entertaining, and giving back to her community, driven by a passion for family, faith, and philanthropy. Maria is excited to contribute to the mission and continued growth of the Exposure Project.

Maya Graham

Board Member

Maya (she/her/hers) is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. She currently works in education research and technology at EAB, Inc where she collaborates with both public and private institutions to develop strategic goals and support their long-term planning. Prior to joining EAB, she worked directly with students planning large scale concerts, lectures, and events on college campuses – an experience that brought to life the power of exposure as a critical piece in a career journey.

Maya is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In her free time, she loves exploring the Charlotte area, swimming/coaching with the Evolutionary Aquatics, volunteering with Birthright AFRICA, writing, and spoiling her doodle pup, Benji.

Raj Merchant

Board Member

Raj is a seasoned technology leader with 25 years of experience advising
Fortune 500 enterprises in the areas of digital transformation, process automation, and
data. Currently, Raj is a Director at Perficient, a leading global digital consultancy, where
he leads teams focused on data and analytics. Raj holds a B.S. in Economics from the
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Passionate about making a positive impact in the Charlotte community, Raj actively
supports nonprofit organizations and startup enterprises alike. He serves as a mentor
and advisor for entrepreneurs through RevTech Labs and provides pro-bono consulting
to early-stage nonprofits via Social Venture Partners and Apparo. In addition to
Exposure Project, Raj also serves on the boards of Feeding Charlotte (current board
chair) and Crisis Assistance Ministry, as well as UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
In 2023, Raj was recognized as a Charlotte Ledger “40 Over 40” award winner. Raj is
also a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class 44.

Meet our Volunteers!