Social Event Lead

Ambitious, motivated, proactive, high emphasis on effective communication, active listening and positive feed forward. Strengths include, team building, effective time management, results oriented, outgoing, enthusiastic and optimistic in all situations.

Fundraising Lead

Dedicated and experienced professional with over twenty-five years of leadership and management experience. A Certified Grants Manager experienced in private, federal, state, and philanthropic grants and nonprofit organizations of all sizes and in many sectors. I pride myself in resolving complex challenges and creating agility through organizational development, grant making and culture development through a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion. I am a proven leader and a strategic and analytical thinker.

I hold a Master of Science in Health Administration, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Columbia College.

Most recently, I served as Director of Grants and Programs for the Arts and Education Council in St. Louis, MO. Prior to that, I served over 15 years as a Grants Manager and then Program Officer for the Missouri Foundation for Health, where I was responsible for managing and monitoring a large volume of programs, projects and teams.

​I have extensive experience facilitating workshops, trainings, community forums and other convenings.

Adjunct professor teaching Organizational Behavior and Development, Human Resource Management, Ethics, and Health Information Systems. General financial accounting and grant accounting experience including Indirect Cost Proposal calculation, budget forecasting and preparation, general ledger, Medicaid billing and investments.

​I look forward to the opportunity to serve you with Experience, Expertise and Excellence!

Community Building Lead

Focused on creating opportunities that allow for exploration and space.

Innovation Lead

I’m Diarra Warford, a St. Louis native, and I’ve been recognized as a visionary leader in youth empowerment, arts education, and community health. My journey began as the Owner/Operator of a Saint-Louis based performing arts center. Today, I proudly serve as the Co-founder and Executive Director of The Bailey Foundation, where I’ve dedicated over a decade to shaping the lives of countless children.

Through innovative programs and unwavering dedication, I’m redefining unity and fostering generational health and wholeness through The Bailey Foundation. The impact has been profound, reaching over 40,000 children and families. Our foundation has provided 5 million meals, offered creative development programs/ enrichment over 5,000 children across 25 schools/districts, and distributed tens of thousands of essential items since its inception in 2018.

Beyond my nonprofit efforts, I’m deeply committed to speaking, educating, and cultivating global leaders in youth and community domains.

My guiding motto, “Global and generational transformation starts within and ends with people,” underscores my distinctive approach. Placing youth at the core, I’m paving a path for their journey towards becoming impactful adults, enriching both the world and their communities!

Spiritual Growth Lead

Ordained minister and culinary visionary, Nicole Gordon is the founder and executive chef of Victorious Kitchen. Through her venture, she crafts holistic healing experiences through the transformative power of food.

Nicole is a proud graduate of the Spring 2023 MECCA Accelerator Start-Up cohort and the Fall 2023 MECCA Accelerator Scale-Up cohort. Her dedication and innovation led her to participate in the Global Ventures program, where she explored the vibrant culinary and entrepreneurship scene of London, England.

Currently, Nicole is pursuing her Entrepreneurship Certificate at Harris-Stowe State University through the Anheuser-Busch School of Business. She is a part of the inaugural cohort of MECCA graduates to embark on this enriching certificate program, symbolizing her commitment to continuous growth and learning.