Meet the Leadership Team

Ashely Burgess - President

Hey there, BIA family! I am so incredibly honored to continue serving as your Parent Council President. My journey with this amazing school started all the way back in Kindergarten with my son, Tyler. Watching him grow into a rising 6th grader this year has been a joy, but watching our school community grow alongside him has been a true privilege. I first jumped onto the Parent Council when Tyler was in 2nd grade, stepping in as the Communications Chair. By the time he hit 3rd grade, I stepped up as President, and I’ve been pouring my heart into this team ever since.

For me, this role isn't just about organizing meetings or checking off boxes; it’s about connection. I love working hand-in-hand with our fantastic administration, faculty, and fellow parents to make BIA feel like a second home for everyone. Whether we are planning big family fundraisers, finding creative ways to spoil our educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, or just dreaming up new ways to bring us all closer together, my compass always points toward building community.

Honestly, my absolute favorite part of this job is the energy on campus. There is nothing quite like walking down the halls and seeing the giant, bright smiles on the faces of our hard-working admin, our dedicated teachers, our staff, and—most importantly—our beautiful scholars. That joy is exactly why we do what we do.

I’m incredibly passionate about making sure our school culture remains inclusive, deeply supportive, and packed with fun. We have a beautiful year ahead of us, and I can't wait to lock arms with all of you as we "Blast Off" into this new chapter together!

Marshauna Sagesse - Vice President

Around BIA, I'm affectionately known as "Chandler's Mom." Our son, Chandler, is excited to begin 2nd grade for the 2026–2027 school year, and our family is grateful to be part of such an incredible school community.

I truly enjoy finding creative ways to support our teachers, staff, and administration because I believe that happy and motivated teachers create happy and motivated students. That simple philosophy guides the way I serve on the Parent Council.

Professionally, I am a Clinical Pharmacist and the owner of MGS Wellness, a CPR training and pharmacy consulting company. My passion is helping build healthier, happier communities through wellness education and chronic disease prevention/management. I have the privilege of working alongside organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Atlanta Hypertension Initiative, and the CDC Foundation to implement heart health initiatives for corporations, schools, and community organizations throughout Metro Atlanta.

I look forward to partnering with our amazing BIA families and school staff to make this another outstanding year for our students.

Rhonda Ross - Treasurer

Rhonda Ross is the proud mother of Averie Weems, a BIA graduate who is now a senior at Paul Duke STEM High School, andAiden Weems, an 8th-grade BIA scholar starting in the Fall of 2026. Both of her children enrolled at BIA in 2019, and Rhonda is thrilled to have been part of the BIA Bears family for the past seven years.

Professionally, Rhonda is an AP Finance Analyst with Cox Automotive Inc., a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University.

An active member of her community, Rhonda serves on the Connections and Events Communion team at Mountain West Church. Prior to her current role on the BIA Parent Council, she also held leadership positions as a Volunteer Liaison and Social Media Engagement Chair. She is excited to continue serving BIA's students and teachers as we thrive in excellence.

Alisha Johnson - Secretary

I’m honored to have been invited to join BIA’s Parent Council, and serve as Secretary for the 2026-2027 school year. My son, Jaxon, is a fourth grader and has been a part of the BIA community since first grade. Over the years, I’ve come to deeply value the mission and heart behind what BIA offers our children. Prior to stepping into this role, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer and support the school community in various ways.

I’m passionate about serving in ways that support students, staff, and families. I believe thoughtful collaboration helps create a thriving school environment. I look forward to working alongside other parents to serve and support a space where learning and joy can flourish, and all of our students can grow.

Michelle Colbert - Auditor

Michelle Colbert, CPA is an accounting and finance professional with more than 20 years of experience in auditing, financial reporting, internal controls, and corporate accounting.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Michelle began her career with Zaxby's Franchising⁠ before transitioning into public accounting, where she advanced her auditing and advisory experience with EY⁠. She later moved into private industry, holding accounting and finance leadership roles with WestRock⁠ and currently McKesson⁠, where she serves as a Senior Manager in Controllership.

Michelle is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and, as a parent of two students at BIA, is honored to serve as the Parent Council’s Independent Auditor, helping promote transparency, accountability, and sound financial stewardship.

Danna Tresser - Room Parent Chair

Hi, I’m Danna! This is my third and final year serving as BIA’s Parent Council Room Parent Coordinator. I’m a proud mom of two. My son, Ryder, is a BIA alum and is now a junior at Paul Duke High School, and my daughter, Rylee, is an 8th grader at BIA.

My family has been part of the BIA community for the past nine years, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know so many of our wonderful students, families, teachers, and staff. I’ve loved being involved in our school community, supporting our teachers, working with our room parents, and helping create special experiences and memories for our students and families.

It’s bittersweet to be entering my final year as Room Parent Coordinator, and I’m looking forward to making it a memorable one!

Kassie Diehl - Co-Room Parent Chair

Bio Coming Soon

Kierra Owens - Fundraising Chair

Bio Coming Soon!

Lucia Stanislas- Communications Chair

Lúcia Fernandes Stanislas is the proud mother of Marcus, a third-grade student at Brookhaven Innovation Academy. Originally from Angola, she lives in the Norcross area with her husband, Winston, and Marcus. As a family, they value BIA’s diverse community, innovative learning environment, and commitment to academic growth. They also enjoy gardening together at a community garden in Clarkston, where Lúcia is involved in local community initiatives.

Lúcia is honored to serve as Communications Chair of the BIA Parent Council. She believes clear communication builds trust, connection, and participation, and she is committed to helping the BIA community feel informed, welcomed, and engaged.

Professionally, Lúcia is a global social innovation strategist and entrepreneur. She developed Impact Thinking™, a methodology and philosophy for understanding problems, designing solutions, and creating positive, measurable change. Through her work, she connects strategy, technology, and community innovation to help ideas grow into lasting impact.

Lúcia studied Computer Information Systems at Morris Brown College and Liberal Studies at Mercer University.

Tyjia Sherman- Marketing Chair

Hello, BIA family! I’m so excited to be joining the Parent Council this year as your Marketing Chair. This school year is especially exciting for my family because my daughter, Naomi, will be starting her very first year at BIA as a rising 6th grader. We’re both looking forward to becoming part of such a welcoming and inspiring school community.

For me, this role is about more than marketing—it's about telling the story of our school. I love highlighting the people, moments, and accomplishments that make BIA special. Whether it's sharing school events, celebrating our scholars, recognizing our amazing teachers and staff, or helping families stay connected, my goal is to showcase the heart of our BIA community.

As a mom, I know how important it is to feel informed, included, and connected to your child's school. I'm excited to use my experience in marketing, communications, and community engagement to help strengthen those connections and support the incredible work happening at BIA every day.

As Naomi begins her first year at BIA, I'm excited to begin this journey alongside her and serve a school community that already feels so welcoming. I look forward to getting to know more of our BIA families, celebrating our scholars, and helping tell the stories that make BIA such a special place.

Alondria Garcia - Diversity Chair

My name is Alondra Garcia, and I am honored to serve as the Diversity Chair for BIA’s Parent Council. I am a proud mother of three school-age boys, with two currently attending BIA and my youngest starting kindergarten next school year.

My journey with the Parent Council began when my oldest son started first grade at BIA. He is now in fourth grade, and throughout the years, I have loved watching our family grow alongside the school community. I became involved because I truly wanted to support our teachers, administrators, students, and families and help them feel appreciated, valued, and loved.

Coming from a Latino family, I saw how hard my parents worked to provide for us. They did not always have the time or opportunity to be involved at school, even though they cared deeply about our education. Now that I have the opportunity to work while also being present and involved in my children’s school, I see it as a meaningful way to give back.

As Diversity Chair, I look forward to working alongside other parents to celebrate the many cultures, backgrounds, and traditions represented at BIA. My goal is to help every family feel welcomed, included, and proud to be part of our school community.

Verlinda T. Saunders - Volunteer Chair

Verlinda is an education advocate and community leader who is passionate about helping students, families, and universities succeed. With extensive experience in workforce development, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, she works to connect people, resources, and opportunities that strengthen communities and support lifelong learning.

Verlinda is committed to fostering educational excellence and empowering future
generations through service, collaboration, and leadership. She currently serves on
the Board of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the
Phoenix Women Rising Employee Resource Group, where she helps advance
leadership development and community impact.

She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Information
Systems, and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Phoenix, as
well as a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Florida Memorial University. She has also
earned professional certificates in Project Management, Human Resource
Management, and Cyber and Network Security, reflecting her commitment to
continuous learning and professional growth.