LEADERSHIP

founder/chief Executive officer

Barbara Wisniewski, Ph.d

Barbara Wisniewski, Ph.D is Chief Executive Officer of The Emerging Opal, the organization that empowers girls to be strong and socially conscious young women and future leaders. As Co-Founder of TEO, Barbara brings over 25 years of experience as an urban educator and consultant who understands the unique challenges facing children living in poverty. Her strong knowledge base about teaching in schools in urban poor areas and the effects of poverty on growth led her to develop The Emerging Opal’s “6 Stepping Stones” curriculum which engages and enables girls to relate learning to their lives, and subsequently leads to increased achievement.

Throughout her career as an educator, consultant, and data analyst, Barbara has been deeply committed to advancing opportunities for girls and women. She holds a BA degree in Education from Oakland University and an MPA from the University of Michigan. Barbara earned her Ph.D in Education Evaluation and Research from Wayne State University. She continues to advocate for girls living in under-resourced communities and directs the organization's objective of propelling girls to fulfill their potential.

Chief operating officer

Mary Drayton, MSW is Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of The Emerging Opal. She brings over 20 years experience working with underserved children and those suffering from trauma. Mary’s knowledge about the tremendous challenges that girls face including abuse, neglect, depression and more, gives girls a voice, in a safe space, and allows them to grow and build close relationships with members in the organization.

While working to advocate for children, Mary earned a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Siena University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Her extensive experience working with disadvantaged youth as a Prevention Worker at the State of Michigan, Supervisor in programs including Early On, Infant Mental Health and Juvenile Intervention, and as a Social Worker in Detroit Public Schools Community District, for more than 15 years, demonstrates Mary’s knowledge and dedication to children residing in underserved communities.

Board Chair

Madeleine Karcz

Madeleine Karcz, is Board Chairperson. Madeleine attended Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University and Wayne State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. After ten years working in the Detroit Medical Center as a clinical scientist in immunohematology and histocompatibility, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Wayne State University, and started teaching in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. After teaching elementary grades, she moved to middle school during which time she engaged local businesses and community organizations to enrich the curriculum and the lives of her students and their families. As International Baccalaureate Coordinator, she led the implementation of the IB Primary Years Program at Mark Twain Academy, which in 2011 became the first DPS school authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization. She later served as Instructional Specialist at Noble Elementary-Middle School, leading the School Improvement Team. Throughout her tenure, Madeleine remained passionate about connecting kids with learning technologies and community volunteer mentors. She currently works as a freelance writer, grant writer and educational consultant.

board Vice Chair

Jason posey

Jason Posey, is Board Vice Chair. Jason has been an educator for 15 years. He felt a connection to urban youth since working on a service project in high school and continues to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Jason is a native Detroiter, the son of an educator; and grandson of hard working blue collar grandparents that made their way to Detroit from the Jim Crow south during the 2nd Great Migration. He graduated from The University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan. He also holds a K-12 administrator’s endorsement from Wayne State University. Jason currently serves as Detroit Federation of Teachers Vice-President and the DFT Executive Board as Executive Vice-President.

board secretary

stanya jefferson

Stanya Jefferson, is Board Secretary. Stanya is an educator in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. She graduated from Central Michigan University where she received a BS in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Information Technology. After graduating from Central Michigan University she decided to pursue a career in education because she loved children and enjoyed teaching. Stanya attended Wayne State University, where she received a M.A. in Education with certification in Secondary Business Education and Mathematics. She has been teaching students and adults at Detroit Public Schools for 19 years. Her commitment to teaching and learning landed her back at Central Michigan University where she obtained a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Stanya’s dedication to building the lives of children has landed her back in school to pursue an EdD at Central Michigan University.

board treasurer

Richard walawender

Richard Walawender, is Board Treasurer. Richard is an attorney/principal at Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone PLC, and is the director of the firm's International Practice Team. He also founded and oversees the firm's offices in Poland and Mexico. Richard specializes in mergers and acquisitions, contracts and commercial law, corporate governance, start-ups and venture capital, equity and debt financing, international transactions and joint ventures, project finance, and franchising. He frequently advises clients doing cross-border commercial transactions, contracts, and investments, as well as outbound and inbound investment structuring and strategies, international joint ventures, strategic alliances, and other cross-border issues and disputes.

board member

Angela wisniewski-cobbina

Angela Wisniewski-Cobbina, is a Board Member. Angela, owner of Coup D’etat boutique in New Center, Detroit, is also a social media manager and digital content creator. After earning her bachelor’s degree in public relations and journalism from the University of Michigan, she produced her own fashion/culture website for WDIV-Local 4 News. Following her job with the Post-Newsweek Station, she became editor of an alt weekly magazine, overseeing the entire editorial department and taking a large role in introducing its digital presence. She founded Hey Angela Inc., a one-woman creative company specializing in styling, product photography, brand, community management, and social media content.

board member

Ashley woods branch

Ashley Woods Branch, is a Board Member. Ashley is the founder and CEO of Detour Media, a local journalism startup that builds community, spotlights neighborhood issues and curates Detroit news through an equitable perspective. She’s also a sought-after consultant for digital newsrooms and has worked with more than 100 news outlets across America. Ashley previously led consumer experience and digital strategy at the Detroit Free Press and was the editor of HuffPost’s Detroit bureau, as well as a reporter and editor focused on Detroit culture and development for MLive, Real Detroit Weekly and Model D. She was a 2019 Marshall Memorial Fellow and a 2018 Visiting Nieman Journalism Fellow at Harvard University. Ashley is deeply committed to mentoring young adults to make journalism and other connected fields more diverse and inclusive.