Our Team

Winston Stoody, Executive Director

Winston wears many hats in Flint, but the one he is most passionate about is the one he wears leading GearUp2Lead. As Executive Director, Winston brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served the community as a business owner, teacher, mentor, and coach.

Winston holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Michigan-Flint and has dedicated a significant portion of his teaching career to working with at-risk students. This experience fuels his commitment to GearUp2Lead's mission: To provide marginalized youth with the education, opportunities, work experience, and support necessary for success.

Tiffany Rouser, The Engagement Center Program Director

Tiffany Rouser is a Flint native and a proud graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing. Her love and commitment to community and empowering people who are often overlooked drive her work every day.

She is passionate about cultivating partnerships and leveraging community resources to make a real impact. By bringing people together and sharing resources, Tiffany aims to create solutions that address local issues and help the community thrive. Let's connect and work together to build a brighter future for everyone!

Carmen Dungey, Gearup Academy program director

Carmen, a lifelong resident of Flint, Michigan, found her passion for mentoring marginalized youth through her own experiences as an at-risk teen. After dropping out of high school at 15, she faced unexpected struggles raising four children. Determined to improve her circumstances, she earned her GED and enrolled in Mott Community College to study Social Work, but had to leave to care for her elderly mother, three stepsons, and two nieces.

Her dedication to family and the nine teens under her care shaped her life and career. Starting as a Student Services Support Specialist, Carmen leveraged her experiences to develop programming and life skills training for marginalized youth. She founded "Creating Me," an organization focused on early life skills and family growth and development. Now, as Program Director at GearUp Pathway, Carmen collaborates with a passionate team to create individualized curricula, emphasizing cutting-edge skills and education to address the unique needs of each student and family.

Erika Davis, success navigator

Erika Davis, a Flint native, began her professional journey in the banking industry, as a full-time college student. This journey spanned over 14 years, with experience across various departments at Citizens Bank, First Merit, and Huntington Bank. Her passion for helping, leading, and teaching others drove her to seek ways in which she could be of more help to those who needed it in her community. 

Erika earned her Associate of Arts degree with honors from Mott Community College followed by obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Communications with a Writing Cognate from the University of Michigan - Flint.  As a proud citizen of Flint, Erika is excited to contribute to the growth and development of the next generation, leveraging her skills and experiences to make a positive impact in her community and beyond.

Lisa Marchand, gearup Academy program coordinator

Lisa came to GearUp2Lead July 2023 and could not have found a place more suited to be her workplace. Like Executive Director Winston Stoody, Lisa contributes years of service in the Fenton community, having served there as a business owner, private music instructor, teacher, tutor, and mentor.

Lisa holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Michigan-Flint and is a Certified Teacher in Music (K-12) and Math (Secondary). Lisa is particularly passionate about creating educational pathways for students that are practical and hands-on, that teach students how to live independent lives, and that focus on how to set strong goals for themselves. She loves feeling like she has a big family, both with her GearUp2Lead team and her GearUp Academy students. 

Eliza Johnson, Outreach Coordinator

Eliza Johnson brings a passion for community engagement and a fresh, enthusiastic approach to outreach and advocacy. With a background in Social Work, She has a keen ability to connect with communities and build strong relationships that drive positive change. 

A University of Michigan - Flint graduate with a Bachelor in Social Work is dedicated to creating inclusive environments and empowering individuals through education and resources. She is committed to expanding our outreach efforts and ensuring that our programs are accessible and impactful.