COO and Senior Consultant, Vanessa Taliferro

Vanessa' Bio

Vanessa Taliferro, is a highly skilled business executive and driven leader with over 30 years of expertise in banking, administration, accounting, real estate development, construction management, and non-profit management. Ms. Taliferro began her early career in banking before assuming the position as Director of Business Affairs for a non-profit organization in 2003. During her 13-year tenure, Ms. Taliferro assumed multiple responsibilities including overseeing general accounting functions, managing over 100 residential and commercial units, developing innovative social service programs to serve vulnerable communities, effectively managing the HUD certified counseling center, securing over $2.5 million in grant funding for housing and youth programs, and implementing policies and procedures to improve and streamline business operations.

In addition, she has experience providing financial management to minority construction firms and development consulting for multi-million-dollar projects. To date, Ms. Taliferro has secured over $25 million in grant procurement and over $25 million in real estate and construction development for various community-based and non-profit organizations. Her blend of experience, professionalism, and creativity has resulted in maximum efficiency and success for all clients. Furthermore, she is dedicated to supporting individuals, organizations, and the community.

Vanessa graduated with honors from Elmhurst College with a B.S. in Business Administration and obtained a Master of Certificate in Accounting from North Park University. Currently, she is completing a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management from North Park University. Additionally, Vanessa has received certification in Housing Counseling Program Management, Assisted Housing Management from HUD, and QuickBooks Online.

CEO and Research Specialist, Ashley Taliferro

Ashley's Bio

Ashley Taliferro, is a highly motivated leader with a background in psychology, criminology, and history. Her previous experience includes project management, instructional coaching, specialized marketing, and social science research. She has over 5 years of experience as a helping professional which includes creating and facilitating psychoeducational workshops for youth and college students, mentoring psychology paraprofessionals, supervising youth group therapy, providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism, observing and reporting client data, maintaining program and client data, and developing trauma-informed curriculum for youths exposed to trauma.

As Senior Research Consultant, Ashley is responsible for all qualitative and quantitative research related to grant procurement, developing strategies for community development, and assisting in grant writing and review. Ms. Taliferro’s extensive knowledge and specialized interest in emotional and behavioral development in minority populations strengthens our capacity to assist community-based organizations that serve marginalized communities. Moreover, her expertise in life skill development, psychoeducational programming, and recovery support facilitates the organizational development of our clients. As of currently, Ms. Taliferro has secured nearly $1 million in grant funding for AD-V clients. Additionally, Ashley provides administrative duties for a local non-profit organization.

Ashley obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Executive Assistant, Ricka Riley

Ricka's Bio

Ricka Riley, has over 13 years of experience as an administrative assistant, 5 years as an information systems coordinator and over 4 years working as a community liason in the area of education. In addition, she has 5 years of experience in digital marketing and design.

Ricka is a graduate of University of South Florida with a Bachelors's degree in English Technical and Professional Writing with a Minor in Music. She is also an alumni of Life Christian University, graduating with a Bachelors in Theology.

Currently, she is a digital marketing specialist, offering services for various business and non-for profit organizations, in the area of social media content, web design, video production and live streaming.