Board of Directors
Mike Rogers
Executive Director/Ex Officio
Mike Rogers is the founder of Moving Everest Charter School and has served as the Executive Director since its inception. Prior to joining Everest, Mike spent the bulk of his career in public and private education, serving as a high school teacher, department chair, and school principal.
Donnita Travis
Chairman of the Board
Donnita Travis launched By The Hand Club For Kids in 2001. Under her leadership, By The Hand has undergone tremendous growth, becoming a $6 million nonprofit with four locations and a staff of 91 employees and 400-plus volunteers. By The Hand’s success is due to Donnita’s mission-focused and results-driven approach, By The Hand has been tracking its outcomes since 2002. Donnita is a seasoned entrepreneur, organizational leader and fundraiser who will provide Moving Everest Charter School with the oversight and support that it needs to achieve success.
Donnita has been recognized for her work with children as Chicagoan of the Year in 2012, the recipient of Mayor Daley’s SAGE Award in 2011 and Northwestern Kellogg’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. Travis has an MBA from Northwestern University and a BA in English and communications from Spalding University. Most recently, she attended Harvard Business School for Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management after receiving the HBS Club of Chicago’s Roman Nomitch Fellowship.
Vivette Payne
Vice Chairman of the Board
Vivette Payne is President of the Avery Payne Group, which specializes in organization, team and leadership development. Her expertise includes leadership coaching, team building, the custom design and delivery of leadership and other skill development programs, and facilitating planning and strategy development. Vivette also works with growing businesses to provide tips and techniques that help them start, grow and manage their business, from inception to peak performance.
Vivette has served as the Chair of The Professional Women’s Network, and is a member of the Board of Directors of The Christian Working Woman and By The Hand Club For Kids. Vivette has received the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Woman of the Year” award, and the Avery Payne Group has been awarded the U.S. Commerce Association’s “Outstanding Business Award”. Vivette holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in organization development.
Dr. Suzy Francis Best
Board Member
Dr. Susy Francis Best is a bilingual (Spanish) clinical psychologist, consultant and executive coach with over 15 years of experience as a business leader with exceptional executive leadership skills, organizational creativity, business acumen, and expertise in diversity and inclusion. Her understanding of psychology and what motivates the human spirit enables her to envision a path for exceptional growth for both individuals and businesses.
Her portfolio of leadership and business experience includes both therapeutic and administrative roles. In addition to founding Thrive Group International (TGI), Dr. Susy provides consulting services to organizations in a variety of fields. Currently, Dr. Susy serves as an Inclusive Diversity Consultant for Allstate Insurance Company. Prior to founding TGI, she served as the President and CEO of Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago (CCCOC) for 12.5 years. During her tenure, Dr. Susy was able to create partnerships that allowed the budget and services to grow fivefold, expand services to include international clients and implement best practices that were invited for peer reviewed presentations.
Dr. Susy is a highly sought-after international speaker, visionary leadership coach, organizational consultant and content expert.
Dr. Susy has been featured as one of Chicago’s CBS 2 “Woman to Know”. She has also been featured on Windy City Live, ABC 7 Chicago, Moody Radio, the Holland Redfield Show, and other media outlets. A native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, Dr. Susy earned her B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College (IL), and is a past Wheaton class representative and Alumni Board member and currently serves on the Board of Visitors. Dr. Susy completed her MBA from North Park University, and earned her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she is an adjunct faculty. Dr. Susy is also a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago, and currently serves on the Leadership Fellows Association Board. She also serves as on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations in the region.
David Eldersveld
Board Member
David is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. ELS is a real estate investment trust which owns and operates more than 400 lifestyle-oriented properties in 32 states and British Columbia. Prior to that, David worked at a privately-owned waste management business. For eight years, Dave held a number of positions for the Tribune Company including: Executive Vice President/General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and General Counsel. Dave began his career at the law firm of Sidley & Austin as an associate in the Corporate and Securities group. He is a graduate of Duke Law School and Calvin College.
Damien Howard
Board Member
Damien Howard is an educator with 12 years of experience, primarily with Chicago Public Schools. He cares deeply about Urban Education Reform. Damien teaches character development and life skills to help students thrive in all aspects of their lives. His current work targets schools on the South and West sides of Chicago. Damien graduated from the University of Illinois (05′) with a degree in Special Education. Damien received his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (10′). Damien is married to Sharial and Gabrielle is their daughter.
Mika Krause
Board Member
Mika is currently a leadership coach with TNTP and has spent the last 16 years in education. She was the founding principal at Moving Everest Charter School where she served from 2014-2018. After leaving Moving Everest, Mika worked for STRIVE Prep in Denver, Colorado. She served as the interim chief schools officer, interim senior director of talent, managing director of schools and middle school principal. Prior to moving to Denver, Mika spent ten years in Chicago as a 4th grade teacher and leader including completing the Ryan Fellowship through Accelerate Institute. Mika received a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Educational Leadership from DePaul University.
Malcolm Bryant
Board Member
Malcolm is our parent representative on the board.