Our Team

Mario brings a career of passionate advocacy for children to FRC, with over 20 years of experience leading successful transformative change efforts in schools and school districts across Ohio.  His mission is to create a world where all children, regardless of their background, can dream big and achieve greatness in their lives.   

Mario earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Cal State Fullerton, a second bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education from Northern Kentucky University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Miami University, Oxford, and a School Superintendent’s license from Xavier University.  Before joining Future Ready Columbus, Mario’s career included service as a substitute teacher, junior high and high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, school law professor, senior vice president, and superintendent. 

Throughout his career, Mario has been honored to work closely with educators and community leaders to achieve big things for children.  These include significantly increasing academic achievement for African American and economically disadvantaged children, creating and successfully implementing several strategic planning efforts, and establishing a training center for innovative learning practices.

WHY THIS WORK

Mario’s passion and mission to improve the lives of poor and marginalized children stems from his own background as a child of color, raised by a single mother in poverty.  Just as he was able to overcome the odds as a first-generation college graduate who rose out of generational poverty, he believes his life’s work is to help children like him achieve their dreams.

Mario is grounded in the belief that all children can break out of the cycle of poverty and racism.  The work of Future Ready Columbus is to imagine, believe in, and implement the conditions and supports for that to happen.  Through a collective impact approach working closely with public/private partnerships, the Future Ready by Five plan has all of the elements necessary to break the cycle and ensure that all children in Franklin County are ready for kindergarten by age 5.   

WHY THIS COMMUNITY

Columbus and the surrounding Franklin County region are amazing places to work and live.  Mario is particularly in love with the region’s commitment to diversity, vibrant arts, sports, and culture scene, and its innovative spirit.  With its energy and impactful public/private partnerships, Columbus and Franklin County can lead the way in altering the trajectory of children growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods.

By implementing Future Ready by Five, we have a great opportunity to set the standard for community change strategy.  If implemented with fidelity and commitment, the plan can transform the lives of children not only in Franklin County, but also across Ohio, the Midwest, and beyond.   

Dr. Turney was born and raised in the Dayton area with over 20 years of experience in
education. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in middle childhood education from Wright State University. She also obtained licenses in administration and curriculum, instruction, and professional development (CIPD) from the University of Dayton. Her education tenure includes being a teacher and administrator in Preschool to grade 12 settings and an instructor at the college level.
Dr. Turney is excited to assume the Future Ready Columbus’ Chief Operating Officer role. Her ability to design and implement organizational strategies, plans and procedures will aid the organization in meeting its kindergarten readiness goals.

Angela is innately driven by a curiosity to gain knowledge, understanding and efficiency so she can better contribute to the world around her. It is that same curiosity and passion for growth that inspired her to attend DeVry University to obtain her degree in business administration and move into a career as a financial expert.

Since joining the team in 2017, she is proud to have led Future Ready Columbus to a Gold Star rating from Guidestar. This commitment to excellence paired with her dedication to serving others makes Angela an outstanding member of the FRC family.

WHY THIS WORK

Angela feels blessed to hold this position with Future Ready. She loves that the nature of her work allows her to provide relief to her fellow team members. As a result, they can use their unique gifts to the absolute best of their abilities. It’s this top-tier teamwork and support that helps move this organization one step closer to achieving 100% kindergarten readiness in Franklin County.

WHY THIS COMMUNITY

Angela believes the Columbus area is a special place to pursue both personal and professional endeavors because it is a tight-knit community with big-city opportunities.

For Angela, Central Ohio is the perfect place to nurture her love of learning. She is always open to increasing her knowledge of history, religion and serving others. She is a proud mom who finds purpose in taking care of her others and giving back. She does so through her job at FRC, volunteering with her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and being an active member in her church community.

Amanda joins Future Ready Columbus with an extensive nonprofit background, having worked at notable organizations including Nationwide Children’s, National Alliance for Mental Illness, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This coupled with her background as an English teacher make her the perfect fit for Future Ready Columbus.

WHY THIS WORK

Throughout her experience as a teacher, Amanda saw and was frustrated by an overemphasis on test scores. There was no measurable way to consider the challenges each child faces outside of the classroom and how that is reflected in test results. She is especially thrilled that FRC is addressing these complex disparities which affect children’s Kindergarten readiness.

Amanda is thrilled to be working alongside a team that is not only having conversations and conducting studies but pushing the needle forward into the implementation stage and toward real, tangible change.

WHY THIS COMMUNITY

Amanda moved to Ohio 5 years ago from Atlanta, Georgia. She sees Columbus as a thriving city and appreciates that it maintains a friendly, welcoming vibe while providing extensive and diverse opportunities to community members.

Amanda contributes to her community inside and outside of work. Her front yard is home to a Columbus Blessing Box, which supports those struggling with food insecurity. Amanda is also a certified yoga teacher.