The founders of SASSIE have over 30 combined years of experience working with children in areas ranging from child & family consultation, special needs advocacy to educational enrichment and lobbying.
LaShawn Green
Founding Member
Ms. LaShawn D. Green has over ten years of experience working with children and adolescents through various agencies in Prince George’s County Maryland. For two years Ms. Green was a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant at Washington McLaughlin Christian School in Hyattsville, MD. Most of Ms. Green’s professional experience has been working with and coordinating programs for Teen Parents; facilitating parenting classes and support groups. She has been a Coordinator for the Suitland High School Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program, located in Suitland MD.
The Suitland High School Program focused on developing Life Skills, such as Time and Financial management, Self-esteem Building for child and self, and Employment Techniques. Prior to the Suitland High School Program, Ms. Green was the Coordinator of Family Education Services, Prince George’s County division, for The Family Tree, Inc. which is a Statewide non-profit Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Agency. Ms. Green also has numerous hours of volunteer, mentoring, and advocates services and has received recognition for commitment to her community. She has received an award from Outstanding Community Service, from the Pedology Program at Bowie State University; Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the Alvin Adler Adlerian Institution, in New York; an award for Outstanding Americanism from Disabled American Veterans, Memorial Chapter.
Ms. Green graduated from Suitland High School located in Suitland Maryland in 1990. She has a Master of Art degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy, with a specialization in Adlerian Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Pedology (the scientific study of the growth, development, and socialization of children and adolescents, from conception to age 18) from Bowie State University, in Bowie Maryland. Ms. Green has an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Program Management from Prince George’s County Community College, in Largo Maryland. Her other organizational affiliations include being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a Charter member of the Pedology Club at Bowie State University. Her Graduate Thesis focused on the Mother-daughter Relationship in the African American community during childhood and it’s affect’s on the daughter’s adulthood outcomes: education level, income level, martial status, sexual behaviors, number of pregnancies and births, criminal behaviors, and self-esteem.
Dr. Renee Neely
Founding Member
Dr. Renee Neely is a two-time Bowie State University alumni, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. For the past 13-years, she has served as a Psychologist within the District of Columbia Public Charter School System, where she is responsible for serving over 700 students and families. Most recently, Dr. Neely has taken on the role of teaching “Introduction to Psychology” to high school seniors. Prior to her current position, Dr. Neely served as a Congressional Fellow for Congressman Bobby Scott, VA (D). In this role she advocated for children and families by drafting legislation for initiatives within the areas of juvenile justice, education, health disparities, and workforce development. Dr. Neely’s diverse work history also includes her dedication and commitment to serving as the Co-Founder for SASSIE Mentoring Inc. and Metropolitan Psychological Group, LLC. Dr. Neely’s member affiliations include the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Kimberly Watson
Founding Member
Ms. Kimberly Michelle Watson is currently a Child Care Specialist/Advocate and Human Resource Professional, with over twelve years experience advocating for children and youth and five years of experience in the Human Resources field. As a Child Care Specialist and Human Resource professional, Ms. Watson’s capabilities include: the ability to manage programs and special events, expert, competent and knowledgeable of early child care and education, facilitate work groups and work with employees on building competencies that support an organization’s missions and critical functions. Major strengths include program and event planning, organization assessment, consulting, training design and development, presentation and facilitation, research, and data collection.
Ms. Watson holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development and bachelor’s degree in Pedology which is the study of children, from Bowie State University. She is also continuously and actively involved in her community advocating and striving to make a difference in the lives of children and adults.
Monya Bundy
PhiXavier Holmes
PhiXavier is a speaker, educator, innovator and consultant with a penchant for counseling and educating others, by providing practical applicable strategies to be implemented by diverse individuals and groups, on a myriad of topics.Having over 16 years in education, health-human service, and advocacy combined, as well as 9 years of consulting and organizational team building; PhiXavier believes her diverse and inclusive experiences allow her to provide valuable insight and service to many. A modern professional, with a love for selfies, PhiXavier likes to capture moments that tell stories for smiles, laughter, and change. Her passion for exposure, knowledge and education, heart for seeing women, children, and families overcome challenges and connected to resources, as well as advocacy for inclusion and mental health, led her to a career in Professional Counseling. Gifted in consulting and supporting small businesses, start-up organizations, individuals, and large corporations with identifying innovative ways to reach their untapped audiences and team-building, PhiXavier has assisted companies and individuals with securing over one million dollars in grants and contracts.
Dr. Udean Mars Williams
Dr. Udean Mars Williams is an educator who has been involved in the teaching profession for over 14 years. Mrs. Mars Williams has worked with diverse groups of children and young adults, teaching science and health-related programs at the middle, high, and college levels in various physical and instructional program settings. Her work experience includes curriculum development, training of staff, and instructor assessment. In January 2016, Dr. Mars Williams started teaching at Trinity University as an Adjunct Professor, teaching K-12 professional development classes in Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Before becoming an educator, Dr. Mars Williams worked as a research scientist conducting microbiology and toxicology research. Dr. Mars Williams' most recent study was in 2019 titled "Development of a Liquid Chromatography Method for Detection of Dimethyl Trisulfide in Rat Blood at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, located in Aberdeen, Maryland.
Dr. Mars Williams was a co-presenter at the 2019 Cultural Impact Conference held in Chicago. She presented a paper on Gun Violence Prevention – The Mental Health Implications of Mass Shootings. She has also been a co-presenter for the "Annual Every Girl Can Conference" and at Workshops on Saturdays where she presented on Self-Care, Myths, and Facts about Children/Adolescent Mental Health. Dr. Mars Williams has also organized Workshops and Symposiums on Human Trafficking.
Dr. Mars Williams holds a doctoral degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a dissertation topic “Public Perception of Alcohol Use and Intimate Partner Violence in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” Dr. Mars Williams received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Howard University. She has a Master's degree from Trinity University in Educational Administration.