Who We Are

Meet the team

Our Board of Directors

Maggie Spain

NFI Board Chair

Principal Spearca Communications

Shane Coker

Board Member

Vice President of Marketing Storable

Andy Schoka

Board Member

Managing Director Salesforce

Sonia Velazquez

Board Member

Child Welfare and Child Labor Consultant

Derrick David Bryant

Board Member

Special Projects Manager Texas Health and Human Service Commission

Rob Siedlecki

Board Member

Principal RMS Consulting Solutions

David Cozart

Board Member

Chief Visionary Officer Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families

Jon Maples

Board Member

Financial Advisor Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company

Our Staff

Christopher Brown

President

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Erik Vecere

Chief Partner Success Officer

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Melissa Byers

Chief Marketing Officer

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Jacqueline Evans

FatherSource™ Resource Center Director

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Antoine Johnson

Program Success Director

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Matt Wiese

Vice President, Partner Engagement

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Justin Sy

Marketing and Training Coordinator

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Sean Coleman

Graphic Design and IT Manager

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cbrown@fatherhood.org

Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. He also focuses on developing and enhancing the quality of NFI’s products, programs, training, and services, in addition to providing training and technical support to NFI's partners. Chris attributes much of his success to his formal academic training as an applied anthropologist, on-the-job training as a business leader, and previous business mentors.

Chris finds immense value in the direct and indirect impact he makes in his role at NFI. His primary focus is to help thousands of human service organizations become more father-inclusive, which in turn impacts thousands of fathers and families, leading to the overall well-being of children, parents, families, and communities.

Chris is motivated by his own childhood experience of growing up without an involved father. He strongly believes that every child deserves to have a loving and supportive dad in their life.

Chris earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of North Texas (Denton, TX) and M.A. in Applied Anthropology from the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL). He is married with two adult daughters.

evecere@fatherhood.org

As Chief Partner Success Officer for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Erik is responsible for developing and nurturing partnerships with network-based entities that have relationships with human service organizations. His goal is to help these organizations become more father-inclusive. Erik also facilitates strategic planning meetings that result in action plans, provides training on NFI programs, and oversees funded and non-funded projects. Erik is passionate about providing solutions to NFI partners and contributing to their success in reaching dads.

With 11 years of experience in retail management, Erik has a strong foundation in identifying customers' pain points so that he can help solve them. Having been a new dad twice, Erik also understands the importance of father-inclusive organizations and communities. He is grateful to have the opportunity to play a role in improving the lives of thousands of families each year.

Erik received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, and a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. He has two grown daughters and a granddaughter.

mbyers@fatherhood.org

Melissa is the Chief Marketing Officer at National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Melissa oversees the organization's marketing, communications, graphic design, and product fulfillment functions. She is also very involved in product development and the organization's operations. Through her work, Melissa is committed to helping human service organizations incorporate NFI's father-inclusive programs and services, ultimately giving children a chance to have an involved father.

Before joining NFI, Melissa supported Fortune 500 companies with marketing campaigns and special projects. After observing the huge budgets spent on what some may view as "lackluster" causes, Melissa redirected her career to make a difference in the world. When she came across a marketing position with NFI, it seemed to be a perfect match for her skills and passion. Melissa credits her father, her best friend and mentor growing up, for shaping her into who she is today.

Fun fact: Melissa once had a promotional job that included dressing up as the Snuggle Bear and another time as Snoopy! Melissa holds a B.A. in Communication from George Mason University, Graphic Design and Web Design Certificates from Montgomery College in Rockville, MD, and a User Experience Design Certificate from the Nielsen Norman Group.

jevans@fatherhood.org

Jacquie is the Resource Center Director for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Her role centers around consulting with NFI partners on their fatherhood resource and program needs, managing NFI's product fulfillment, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Jacquie genuinely enjoys helping human service partners make informed decisions that will positively impact the fathers and families they serve.

Jacquie's background may seem unlikely for her role at NFI. She spent 17 years as a JCPenney hairdresser and managed salon inventory. She also ran her own business as a Freelance Hair/Makeup Artist. However, her ability to connect with people, understand their needs, and manage inventory prepared her remarkably well for her current position.

Jacquie completed various business courses at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, and has cosmetology and makeup artistry licenses. She is married and has known her husband since high school. They have a Cockapoo named Evie, who brings joy and laughter to their lives.

ajohnson@fatherhood.org

As Program Success Director for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), Antoine raises awareness among human service organizations of the system of complementary services and resources NFI offers and provides training and technical assistance to NFI partners.

Antoine is an experienced human service professional with a passion for supporting father inclusion in human service organizations. He also has experience launching a grassroots fatherhood initiative. At NFI, he enjoys building relationships with practitioners and organization leaders to create father-inclusive ecosystems where children and communities can thrive.

Antoine received a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Services, concentrating in community and mental health, from the University at Buffalo, NY, and an Associate’s Degree in Humanities and Social Sciences from Niagara County Community College (Sanborn, NY). He is a husband and father of two young children.

mwiese@fatherhood.org

Matt is the Vice President of Partner Engagement for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Matt leads NFI's outbound engagement strategy to advance the awareness, adoption, and usage of NFI's father-inclusive programs and resources by human service organizations across the nation.

Becoming a father transformed Matt's life and inspired him to understand the importance of his involvement in his daughter's learning and development. Matt is enthusiastic about his work at NFI as it helps him to empower fathers to play a crucial role in their children's lives. He is confident that his efforts will benefit future generations of families, fathers, and children.

Matt earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque, IA, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business in Iowa City. He is married and officially a "Girl Dad" with two amazing daughters; one is 6 (going on 16), and one is 3 months. He now considers himself an expert in tea parties, toddler negotiations, and stepping on LEGOs in the middle of the night without crying.

jsy@fatherhood.org

Justin is the Marketing and Training Coordinator for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Justin supports the organization's training function by organizing and delivering public and customized webinar training programs to NFI's program partners. He also supports the marketing department with social media and other related projects. You may also meet Justin when you call or email NFI!

Justin’s experience as a retail branch manager equipped him with marketing, administrative, and communication skills to serve NFI's partners. He is passionate about his role at NFI, as it allows him to positively impact children, families, and communities. He loves helping human service organizations assist fathers in becoming the best dads they can be.

Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Maintenance Technology from PATTS College of Aeronautics in Parañaque, Metro Manila. While his career has taken him on a different path, NFI is happy to have him help "soar the skies" of engaging fathers in human services.

scoleman@fatherhood.org

Sean is the Graphic Design and IT Manager for National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Sean leads NFI's design projects and provides creative support for digital mediums and print materials. Sean also designs courses for NFI's Father Engagement Academy™ and oversees NFI's technology needs.

Sean's experience of growing up with a less-than-adequate father motivates him to help children have a stable home to grow up in with two parents, including a responsible, committed, and nurturing father. Having previously worked with children and adolescents in mental health for the State of Maryland, he is honored to serve NFI as a graphic designer and IT professional, doing what he enjoys and helping children in the process.

Sean earned his B.A. in Psychology from Wheeling University (formerly Wheeling Jesuit University), Wheeling, WV. He also studied graphic design, advertising design, desktop publishing, and web design at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD. Sean has had many experiences throughout his career, such as being a photo retoucher for a portrait studio, a designer and manager for a direct mail marketing firm, and a manager and technician for an Apple-authorized service provider.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

What does National Fatherhood Initiative® do?
Do you offer classes for dads? Tips for being a good dad?
How are you funded?

Father on a swing with son and supporting images