Management Team

Amber Okoye, BSME, MBA, SSBB, PMP, CPSM (Executive Director)

A veteran in Supply Chain and Operations Management, Ms. Okoye comes to us with over 20 years of experience across various industries including aerospace, healthcare, medical devices, climate control, and telecommunications.

Having recently transitioned from the Vice President of Supply Chain for Emerging Markets, Strategic Sourcing, and Supplier Performance at GKN Aerospace, in London, United Kingdom, Ms. Okoye is now the Vice President of Supply Chain & CPO at General Dynamics.

Ms. Okoye’s desire to support future STEM leaders has led to Board positions and work in areas of mentorship, coaching, diversity and inclusion, and women in leadership initiatives, among others. She has been awarded with the Diversity Leadership Award from Motorola and was named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain for 2020.

Colin Phillips, M.S. (Programs Director)

Colin Phillips is a leader focused on nonprofit education with experience in international education exchange and public charter school education. Colin currently serves as Senior Manager of Operations for Astravo, an education technology company that specializes in public charter school online education. Previously, he was Senior Manager of Enrollment for the Council on International Educational Exchange, one of the largest and oldest nonprofit international education organizations in the United States. In that role, he worked with international students from more than 40 countries around the world on U.S. educational exchange programs.

Colin graduated with a B.S. with honors in Biology from Stonehill College, where he primarily studied vertebrate anatomy and physiology in the context of veterinary science. Additional coursework was completed in organic chemistry, physics, cell biology, virology, and biochemistry which led to his membership in the Sigma Zeta National Science & Mathematics Honor Society. He went on to earn his Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University. Even though his professional focus is now strategic education leadership, Colin’s passion for environmental conservation and science education brought him to the Society for Scientific Advancement (SOSA) where he can serve others outside of his immediate, local community.

Laura Wright, BA (Partnerships Director)

Laura Wright has been in the nonprofit / association management industry for over 10 years. She specializes in Resource Mobilization, Program Planning and Development, Capacity Building and Strategic Partnership. Laura has worked globally and locally with international non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and AACSB International. She is originally from Kenya and has lived and worked in 4 continents. Laura considers herself a “third-culture kid” and enjoys travelling and learning new cultures. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Business Management from Bournemouth University, England UK and is currently pursuing her master’s in International Policy and Diplomacy. Those who have worked with her identify her as Catalyst, Connector, Facilitator, Trainer, Promoter & Supporter.

Natricha Levy McFarlane, MPhil (Content and Publications Director)

Natricha Levy McFarlane is a Medical Researcher and Medical Writer. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry and Zoology (Honours), and an MPhil in Biochemistry from The University of the West Indies. She also graduated with academic excellence in Applied Clinical Research from the McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education.

Natricha transitioned to work as a public health scientist with the Ministry of Health, Jamaica, focussing on chronic diseases and epidemiological research. Her accomplishments include leading the research unit, writing the Epidemiological Profile of Selected Health Conditions and Services in Jamaica, 2003-2007, working to implement a day dedicated to diabetes management in a primary care setting, and helping to institute an Annual National Health Research Conference.

Natricha currently lives in Toronto and recently coordinated a multi-site study into the feasibility of incorporating a digital neuro-psychological assessment tool into clinical care. She has founded ACE Health Content through which she freelances as a medical writer to nurture her passion for accurately representing medical/health information while keeping it simple, clear and engaging.

Simone Jones, BA (Development Director)

With Bachelors’ degrees in Education and Business, Simone specializes in raising funds for non-profit organizations. For the past 14 years, she has generated millions of dollars for philanthropic causes in education, science, conservation, and health in the U.S. and abroad.

As an emerging leader in philanthropy, in 2017 she was selected to the Conservation Alliance Fellowship program, designed with support from the Packard Foundation.

Simone’s passion is to connect businesses with causes they care about, helping to meet their Corporate Social Responsibility goals while making a positive impact now and for future generations.