ABE BRANDYBERRY

Executive Director

A seasoned administrator, communicator, and educator, Abe has a life-long commitment to work with members of vulnerable communities to create strong and thriving youth and families. Prior to co-founding CUP, Abe worked in customer service and logistics for a major corporation. Abe is deeply invested in the Westwood and Fairmount neighborhoods and is acting board member for Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation. Abe graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministries and Religion and received a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University.

JONI BRANDYBERRY

Director of Programming

Joni brings a wealth of experience to her role as CUP’s Program Director, including more than two decades of active involvement in education and youth. She previously worked at St Joseph’s Orphanage’s Crisis Stabilization Unit and continues to use her professional experience in supporting youth to meet their challenges and achieve their potential. Joni graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a minor in Youth Ministry. She has earned a Master of Arts Degree in Urban Studies with a concentration on Youth Development from Eastern University, a Master of Arts in Theology from Wesley Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Community Development from Northern Seminary.

MICHELLE GREEN

School Age Programs Director

Michelle moved to Cincinnati from Memphis, Tennessee where she worked with youth programs in schools and youth organizations for 10 years. Michelle is responsible for the day to day planning, organizing, and managing of the program, and ensuring that the preschool complies with all of Ohio’s preschool state licensing. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Purdue University.

MELIA PROFFITT

Preschool Director

Melia Proffitt taught for 15 years with Covington Independent Public Schools and has experience teaching multiple grade levels. Melia has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education as well as a Masters's in Educational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University, and an Educational Specialist Degree/Principalship from the University of the Cumberlands.

JULIA LANKISCH

WestRoots Director

Julia is a graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science. Julia was a Dorothy Day Magis Society Inductee in Xavier’s Center for Faith and Justice. She has played a key role in the development of urban educational farming experiences for teens and will use that passion to grow the WestRoots Urban Agriculture program.

MEET THE BOARD

LAURIE WISSEL

Board Chairperson

Hoeting Realtors

MICHAELA BUCZEK

Board Secretary

CPS School Teacher

BOB HAFERTEPEN

Consultant - Skye Solutions for Business

CRAIG FIELDS

KAYLA LOWE

Cincinnati Public School Care Coordinator

LAURA SKIDMORE

Covenant Church

Community Member

MAX MONK

Johnson Investments

LIZ MARTINI

Martini Legal LLC

KATHY SIAS

RODNEY CHRISTIAN