Biographies: Board of Directors
KELLY FIELDS, Chair
Kelly Fields is the Executive Director of StandUp for Kids since 2010. Kelly has 20 years of non-profit experience, 14 years working with StandUp for Kids, coupled with over 10 years in corporate human resources with companies such as the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Bausch and Lomb and Novell.
Kelly’s non-profit service began with her selection by Georgia-Pacific to be the Loaned Executive to the Olympic Committee Organizing the Games in Atlanta (ACOG) in January 1995. Following the Olympic Games in August 1996, she went on to work with United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Atlanta, and The Georgia Transplant Foundation.
She has worked with a wide variety of volunteer groups, community partners and corporations to implement new programs, develop resources and train volunteers.
MAGGIE MCWHORTER, Board Secretary
Maggie McWhorter began her involvement with StandUp for Kids in Oceanside, California as a center volunteer in 2008.
Maggie is a 10 year Veteran of the United States Army and has over 25 years of experience managing supply chain, fleet maintenance, and warehouse operations. Maggie currently is the Regional Fleet Manager for Reyes Fleet Management, a division of Reyes Holdings, a Food and Beverage distributor providing support to Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Miller, Coors, and Constellation Brands.
Maggie has a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado, where she majored in Organizational Development. She also holds a Green Belt certification in Lean/Six Sigma.
KEDRIC SLEDGE, Member at Large
Kedric Sledge is a state licensed mental health professional that has turned around some of the lowest performing schools in metro Atlanta. He is a certified national dropout prevention specialist who mentors numerous at promise youth. He is a native of Saginaw Michigan. Mr. Sledge began his journey in 2004 working with children and families. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University, a master’s degree in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, and a Specialist in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University.
During his tenure in Fulton County Schools, Mr. Sledge has worked diligently implementing attendance protocols and social emotional support programs that have assisted in many schools significantly increasing their graduation and promotion rates. He has won many awards, including Volunteer of the Year for 2024 with StandUp For Kids
Mr. Sledge has worked with organizations such as Chris 180, Access Mental Health, Stand Up For Kids, Holy Cross Children Services, and Kairos Health Care. He has also facilitated workshops and trainings with the School Social Work Association of Georgia, National Dropout Prevention Center at the National Youth at Risk and Reaching the Wounded Student conferences. Mr. Sledge believes in the importance of paying it forward. Every day he gives his time and talents tirelessly to making a difference in the lives of the families that he serves.
FERNANDO LAMAS, Member at Large
Fernando Lamas is a Managing Director on the Distribution Team at Lafayette Square. Prior to joining Lafayette, Fernando was Partner at Ohana Real Estate Investors, a private equity firm focused on investing in equity and credit opportunities within the hospitality space.
Previously, he was a Managing Partner at BTG Pactual, a diversified global investment platform, where he served as the Global Head of Distribution for the Asset Management Division. Fernando led all the business development activities, resided on the firm’s Asset Management Committee, managed key strategic relationships globally, and oversaw the launch of numerous investment verticals.
Prior to joining BTG Pactual in 2010, Fernando was a senior Managing Director and Partner at BSE Management where he was in charge of business development and marketing. Fernando also served as Executive Director in the Prime Services Division at UBS Investment Bank and also served as Vice President in the Private Client Services Division at Credit Suisse First Boston (formerly Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette).
Fernando holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tulane University and an MBA from Columbia University.
TIM MCCORMICK, Vice Chair
Tim McCormick is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of operations and management experience. He currently serves as the President of LA Hydro-Jet and is the Owner of Zip Marketing Solution. Tim has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, optimizing business operations, and driving strategic growth across multiple industries.
With a leadership approach rooted in Servant Leadership, Tim excels at developing talent, leading process improvement initiatives, and implementing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and impact. His career includes key roles at industry-leading organizations, where he consistently delivered operational excellence and built strong partnerships across teams, clients, and vendors.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Human Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma. He resides in Southern California with his amazing wife and their four wonderful children.
SIDNEY DJITÉ, Chair: Fundraising Committee
Sidney Djité is a Vice President in the Leveraged Finance Group at Goldman Sachs, focused on identifying, structuring and executing innovative capital and financing solutions for corporate and financial sponsor clients.
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2021, Sidney was in the Leveraged Finance division at Bank of America for 8 years. He joined Bank of America in Sydney as an analyst in 2013 before relocating to New York in 2018, his last position was Vice President focused on the Healthcare and Technology, Media and Telecommunication sectors.
Sidney believes youths are the world’s most valuable resource and best hope for the future. He shares in StandUp for Kids’ passion to provide opportunity to homeless youths and in the mission to end the cycle of youth homelessness.
Sidney earned a Bachelor of International Business and Finance from the University of Western Sydney in 2009, a Diploma in French and French Civilization from the University of Paris IV in 2010 and a Master of Finance from the University of New South Wales in 2014.
NATALIE HOGG, Chair: Marketing Committee
Natalie Q. Hogg is a veteran marketing leader with over a decade of experience in content, demand generation, public relations, and marketing strategy. With a strong communications background and a deep curiosity, Natalie leverages her journalism background to distill complex messages into engaging, compelling stories that drive results. She graduated from Georgia State University with degrees in journalism/public relations and public/political communications.
Natalie is the founder and president of Method Q, an outsourced marketing management agency servicing business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and nonprofit organizations across a variety of industries. She started Method Q in 2021 and over a short amount of time, turned it into a multi-million-dollar business that gives back to the community.
Natalie has worked with StandUp for Kids since 2020 and has made it her mission to dedicate time to changing the trajectory of kids’ lives. She has been certified to serve with impact on nonprofit boards through United Way’s VIP training program, Young Leaders Network.
Through Method Q, or previous employers and philanthropic work, Natalie has helped countless marketers reach their fullest potential through dedicated and personalized coaching.
JUSTINE PALMORE, Regional Executive Director
Justine Palmore started the organization 16 years ago. As Regional Executive Director of StandUp for Kids, she oversees operations across the West Coast, which includes four chapters. Known for her transformative leadership, Justine has successfully launched and relaunched chapters, ensuring programs and services address the evolving needs of youth. As Executive Director of the Orange County chapter since 2008, she has been instrumental in managing an annual budget of $1.3 million and driving initiatives that empower youth toward self-determination and brighter futures.
Justine actively collaborates with elected officials to champion youth services while leading fundraising, communications, and outreach efforts to strengthen organizational impact. Her leadership has garnered accolades such as StandUp for Kids Leader of the Year, Chapter of the Year and the Samueli Foundation Big Hearts Award.
Committed to operational excellence, Justine ensures compliance through internal audits, oversees safety protocols, and oversees Human Resources for the chapter, including recruitment, training, and performance evaluations. Graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a minor in Finance, she combines her educational background with hands-on expertise in program improvement and quality initiatives.
SUSAN PICK, Treasurer
Susan Pick is a CPA and has extensive tax controversy experience. She currently focuses on assisting clients navigate the IRS maze, including interest and penalty issues, IRS account issues, resolution of IRS notices, review of IRS tax examination reports and general tax controversy issues. She has assisted individual and corporate clients in reviewing their accounts to identify errors in the taxing authorities’ interest and penalty assessments.
Prior to joining BDO Seidman, Susan was a Managing Director in the Washington National Tax Office of a large multinational public accounting firm and lead that Firm’s IRS Interest and Penalty Practice. She also worked at the IRS as a revenue agent and senior reviewer in quality review staff and for a Big Four accounting firm.
ADRIAN RAMIREZ, Chapter Director
Adrian Ramirez began his involvement with Standup for Kids in San Antonio, Texas as an outreach volunteer in 2016. What started out an opportunity to observe what StandUp for Kids was all about, turned into a passion of wanting to make a difference in young lives. He has served in various capacities in San Antonio and is now providing assistance as the Director of Public Relations for the San Antonio Program.
Adrian has over 20 years’ experience working with non-profit organizations and is no stranger to working hard and wishing to make a difference. He is the Real Estate Manager for the Public Works Department of the City of San Antonio, where he has worked for over 8 years. Working for the city, he has had the opportunity to speak before city council to talk about StandUp for Kids and bring awareness to the city on Homelessness Awareness Month, and meet directly with city officials to discuss the issues impacting the youth homeless population. He continues building relationships with city representatives and organizations to help make a change.
Adrian has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Management and Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.