Justin Sanders, Houston, Texas, President
Sanders is a software project manager with expertise in business development and the technology industry. He previously worked as a copywriter and social media manager for a Mississippi-based startup, where he developed messaging and strategy for national political brands. With a passion for podcasts, Sanders co-hosted BigIfTrue.org’s podcast and has hosted Landsharks After Dark since 2014.
Camille Lesseig, Washington, DC, Vice President
Lesseig previously worked for the Jacksonville Public Library system as a GED and adult basic education instructor and for the New York City Department of Education in the Office of Academic Policy. Lesseig also previously taught in a critical needs high school, provided instructional support to entering Mississippi Teacher Corps teachers and conducted program evaluation to grant-funded projects through the University of Mississippi School of Education.
Jessica Stovall, Tacoma, Washington, Treasurer
Stovall taught in primary classrooms both in Washington and Utah for the past 14 years, and she has a particular interest in early childhood literacy. Stovall has an ever-growing stack of fiction and poetry that she can’t wait to read, a healthy collection of classic rock records and a penchant for impromptu dance parties in the living room with her 4-year-old daughter.
Jake Harvey, Dallas, Texas, Secretary
Jake Harvey, a graduate of the University of Mississippi, has a passion for the reform of the criminal justice system and non-violent drug offenses.
Mollie Bryant, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The editor of BigIfTrue.org and a non-voting member of the board, Bryant has worked in the journalism industry since 2010 as a reporter specializing in public records and data. Before starting BigIfTrue.org in 2017, Bryant worked for news nonprofit Oklahoma Watch, where she covered the state legislature and state agencies. She previously served as an investigative reporter for The Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi and as an education and enterprise reporter for the Amarillo Globe-News in Texas. Bryant has received awards for her work from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Managing Editors, the Oklahoma Society for Professional Journalists and the USA Today Network.
JC Cortez, Vancouver, Washington
Cortez has a background in journalism and previously worked at the Amarillo Globe-News, where he covered breaking news, crime and courts. He also served as editor of the Borger News-Herald in Texas and reported for The Reflector in Battle Ground, Washington. Cortez co-hosted and produced BigIfTrue.org’s podcast and radio show, Hard Reset.
John Early, Amarillo, Texas
Early has been an investment advisor since 1991. He self-published the book, “Put Money in Your Pocket,” and has written on financial and economic subjects in the newsletters “Yield Curve Plus” and “Economic Leads.” Since 2012, he has blogged for SeekingAlpha, and he was a presenter at the Western Economic Association International Conference in 2008 and 2012. Early served as president of the Rotary Club of Amarillo and Morning Toastmasters and as board member and Treasurer of Opportunity School.
Sierra Mannie, New York, New York
Sierra Mannie, a Mississippi native and alumna of the University of Mississippi, is a Latin teacher in New York City. A former journalist with bylines in The Hechinger Report, TIME and more, she is a member of the Writers Guild of America, East, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the American Classical League, among other professional organizations. Sierra is a trivia fan, having offered her talent to Questions Unlimited as a tournament moderator for the past decade, and proudly represents the writing team of ABC’s The Chase for its third season.
James Nghiem, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nghiem graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s in journalism and master’s in professional writing. There, he was a McMahon Memorial Scholarship recipient. He has worked in advertising as an assistant editor for Ackerman McQueen and as an adjunct journalism professor for Rose State College. He was named as one of the top ten creatives in Oklahoma City by AIGA in 2017 and was honored in the Oklahoma Gazette’s 40 under 40 list in 2018. Nghiem plays drums for the Oklahoma-based indie pop band The Nghiems and runs Robot Saves City, an Oklahoma-based stand-up comedy label that he helped establish in 2010. He’s been active in Oklahoma City’s comedy scene since 2007 and has appeared in comedy festivals from Tulsa to Toronto.