Pathways2Life - Our Staff

Our Staff

At Pathways2Life, it is a high priority to place “people of understanding” in student environments. A person of understanding is someone who’s not only “been there and done that”, but they also have the education and tools needed to help students who are looking for a path to a preferred future. Our staff provides empathy, education, and empowerment at its best.

Ryan has been working in the prevention and early intervention field for over 15 years where his own recovery fuels his passion to walk alongside youth and young adults. He is charged with leading the organization by giving visionary oversight, fundraising, and program development. He also works alongside the strategic leadership team to oversee the operations and support the delivery staff as they serve students, families, schools, and the community. Ryan is a vocal community advocate building strategic partnerships while organizing a coordinated effort to establish a Growth–Oriented System of Care. Ryan currently lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Pamela and their two boys, Josiah and Asa.

Erin has over 12 years of experience engaging with teens in youth ministry and educational environments. She is passionate about guiding students along their search for significance by encouraging them to value themselves and others. Using her own journey through depression and anxiety, Erin is a champion for students’ mental and emotional health. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Religious Studies and is certified in Student Leader Training. She and her husband Travis have two dogs together, Tucker and Bramble

Alyse has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and communications and brings a diverse resume to assist and propel Pathways2Life to the next level. She was a partner and Vice President of Sales at a local advertising agency with a double major from Furman University in Business and Spanish. Alyse lives in Johns Creek with her husband of 20+ years, Greg. Her daughter Sydney is a special needs teacher, and her son Austen attends The University of Georgia in Business.

Since finishing her Master’s in Social Work, Kim has been counseling and coaching students and their families for over 17 years. She has a passion for helping students and parents understand their identity and walk in the fullness of life. Prior to joining Pathways2Life, she worked with many different populations including, battered women, migrant farmworkers, those with chronic mental illness, foster children, and adolescents placed on a psychiatric unit. She also toured with a national ministry called Secret Keeper Girl, which focuses on helping tween girls understand their identity and worth related to their purity. Kim and Ryan jointly developed curriculum for the Pathways2Life support group and the Leadership Development Training Program. Kim lives in Cumming, GA and she has 2 grown children, Morgan and Christian.

Placida Braswell has over 25 years of experience in leadership in both ministry and the marketplace. In 2020, Placida and her husband Eric founded BrasWellness Group, where they provide healing and hope for couples and individuals through their coaching practice.

Placida has also been recognized for her dynamic ability to inspire and motivate people to move beyond their pain to live out a life of purpose. Placida is also a published contributing author; Dear Daughter (2017), Couples Determined to Make Marriage Great (2022) and the upcoming release, My Son, which highlights her commitment to family as her first ministry. She currently serves her community daily through her role with Pathways2Life, an early intervention and prevention organization, committed to seeing resilient people lead others to growth in Greater Atlanta and around the world. Placida and Eric also lead Family Development for the OASIS Project in Marietta, Georgia. Placida obtained her Master of Arts, Human Services with a focus on Marriage and Family from Liberty University. She also holds the distinction of Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Placida and her husband Eric have 8 children and 3 grandchildren and reside in Marietta, GA.

Kate draws on her own journey of recovery to empower others and finds deep fulfillment in guiding and uplifting young people to lead lives filled with purpose and joy. She is a Certified Addictions Counselor (CACI), Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR), and Prevention Apprentice (PA). Kate has worked in adolescent and young adult treatment and counseling since 2016. As the Brief Intervention Program Coordinator, she leads Pathways2Life’s team of mentors, works closely with schools and parents, and coordinates the Diversion Program. Passionate about fostering resilience, Kate also authored a guided “Self Worth Journal,” a practical tool designed to help adolescents and young adults build positive self-esteem. Kate is married to her wonderful husband, Dewayne, and is a devoted mother to her children.

Dewayne has worked in counseling and young adult and adolescent treatment since 2017. He passionately works with young adults and teens to aid them in navigating a sober life due to his own struggles with drugs and alcohol as a teenager. Dewayne is a Certified Addictions Counselor (CACI) and resides in Alpharetta with his family.

Darin Taylor has been working in the addiction and recovery field since 2018. He is passionate about helping young people find the happiness and freedom that he has discovered through his own recovery journey. Darin previously served as the Head At-Risk Youth Coordinator for the FullCircle Program in Cumming, GA where he supported hundreds of teens, young adults, and their families on their journey to find healing and recovery. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Troy University and receiving supervisory hours for his Certified Addiction Counselor Licensure. Darin and his wife Victoria live in Cumming with their son Miles and two miniature schnauzers: Captain America and Peggy Carter.

Victoria believes that each one of us needs a helping hand at one point or another, and she is honored to be that for the young people she serves. Founder of the FullCircle Program GA, face of the GA Recovers Campaign, and long-term recovery advocate, Victoria uses her life experience to help teens and families find hope, healing, and lasting recovery. In her spare time, you can find Victoria blasting Taylor Swift and singing at the top of her lungs, despite how annoying it is for her husband Darin, son Miles, and miniature schnauzer Captain America.

Jazmine is a dynamic storyteller with a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling. She has experience working with youth and young adults and leverages her work in therapeutic settings such as treatment facilities and intensive in-home counseling. Through Narrative Therapy, Jazmine uniquely marries her education and work experience with her creative storytelling.

Aaron has been working in youth ministry and mentoring teens since 2016. Using his personal story of crime, drugs, depression, and failure, he empowers youth to overcome challenges and walk in their purpose. Aaron did not have positive role models for guidance and advice, so his personal experience now drives his passion for teaching, leading, and guiding students while speaking life over them. Aaron graduated from the Atlanta School of Ministry in 2018 with a Certificate of Completion and is a Licensed Pastor. He currently resides in Marietta, GA with his beautiful wife Mikaela and their three sons Isaiah, Joshua, and Caleb.

Isreal has been working with teens since 2012, with a desire to help them grow and reach their full potential. His background in creative development, video production, and graphic design has allowed him to engage and equip students and the community through social media platforms and educational prevention videos. He enjoys bringing hope and encouragement to the classrooms he teaches in and uses his own journey of healing to help students feel seen and heard. Isreal and his wife, Nicole have four beautiful children, Isreal, Judah, Moriah, and Zion.

Dylan has been working with youth for over 10 years in a variety of settings. He leverages his story of substance misuse as a teen with others to bring awareness of the consequences of that lifestyle and the opportunities that can be missed. He has a heart to edify others along with an extensive background in brand identity and creative strategy, extraction, and development. He seeks to empower others to explore and find their unique identity.

Eric is a Pre-Marriage/Marriage & Parent Coach, Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, and Certified Cognitive Behavior Treatment Coach. He has experienced in training individuals, couples, and families with concepts and skills that produce wholeness and connection in their relationships. He and his wife Placida have 8 beautiful children.

Andrew Guerrier is a dynamic speaker and minister. He served as a youth and outreach pastor for over 16 years. His ability to teach and communicate has afforded him the opportunity to speak in many places around the world. Andrew’s capacity to communicate in faith-based, corporate, and educational settings has placed him in front of various groups of people. His story of spending time in prison as a teenager for making poor choices and being in the wrong environments, resonates with young people who struggle with pressure from their peers.

Andrew and his wife Ruth have a wonderful son named Phoenix and they currently live in Atlanta GA. He and his wife have been featured on MTV sharing their story. Andrew’s life inspires individuals in need of hope and discovering their purpose. His ultimate goal is to use his knowledge and life experiences to inspire students to reach their fullest potential.

Sean is a dedicated entrepreneur and business owner passionate about serving others. With a solid commitment to helping individuals in their journey to recovery, Sean has developed a strong network of close relationships. Through many years of experience and study, he enjoys teaching valuable skills to empower others. Sean finds fulfillment beyond the business world and actively works towards building strong, lasting relationships through meaningful connections with others. Sean lives in Johns Creek, has been married for 26 years, and has two beautiful daughters.

Sally has seen incredible healing in her life and family over the years and is passionate about walking alongside others who are in need of healing and recovery. She is a Certified Growth Coach through Lifeforming Leadership Coaching, a Certified Parenting Coach through Screamfree Parenting, and Certified in Advanced Trauma-Informed Soul Care through STARS (Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery System therapy). Sally’s desire is to help parents learn to walk alongside their own struggling teens and rebuild communication and connection while healing from past traumas. Sally is co-host of the Women of W.I.L.D. Podcast and is the parent representative for One Johns Creek Coalition. She and her husband Sean have two daughters Anna and Lily.

With a passion for guiding young people toward a brighter future, Lauren brings years of experience working with teens and young adults struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, and life transitions. Prior to joining the Pathways2Life team, Lauren spent four years at Step Two Recovery Center, supporting adolescents aged 13-17 in a residential setting, and two years with The Full Circle Program, mentoring individuals aged 13-25.

As someone in recovery herself, Lauren understands the challenges these young people face firsthand. Her mission is to provide mentorship, encouragement, and real-life insight to help teens make positive choices, build resilience, and find hope for their future. Through genuine connection and a commitment to prevention, she strives to empower young people to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.

Coming Soon!

Since earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Spelman College, Kiara is now pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Emory University, specializing in Health Policy and Management. Passionate about community health and violence prevention, she is committed to using evidence-based interventions to drive meaningful policy change across the nation. During her undergraduate studies, Kiara focused on the intersection of trauma, PTSD, and public health. Her long-term goal is to develop impactful solutions for underserved communities.

Our Staff

Ryan Stringfield

Erin Eslinger

Alyse Hensel

Kim Michell

Placida Braswell

Kate Luevano

Dewayne Luevano

Darin Taylor

Victoria Taylor

Jazmine Bledsoe

Aaron Patterson

Isreal Richardson

Dylan Gargiulo

Eric Braswell

Andrew Guerrier

Sean Conroy

Sally Conroy

Lauren Hairston

Amberly

Kiara