EduGuide Team

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The EduGuide Team

Alicia Sutfin {Administrative Assistant} is a wife to husband, Steve, and a mother to seven-year-old son Tyler. She loves to cook and in the words of her son is, “Even better than Rachael Ray, Mom!” Aside from her family and their dog, Lucy, Alicia’s passions include: crocheting, reading, golfing, and genealogy. Having worked in the nonprofit world before, Alicia saw a great opportunity to use her many strengths here at EduGuide. Not only is she the smiling face you see behind the desk when you first walk in, but she’s the one you don’t see, behind the scenes, helping everyone else to look their best.

Bryan Taylor {President and Founder} is a first generation college graduate with a passion for creating a world in which each child is equipped to pursue a personalized path to their full potential. A speaker and writer, Bryan’s work has been recognized for Distinguished Achievement by the Educational Publishers Association, the Public Relations Association of America and the National School Public Relations Association and as the featured guest on a nationally televised dialogue with the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Before settling in Lansing, Bryan worked a stint in the British Parliament and, as a Rotary Scholar, studied philosophy at the University of Paris Sorbonne. Bryan served as a residential director and faculty member in higher education and worked as a survey research and strategic advisor to health care and telecom entities. Bryan and his wife, a former teacher, enjoy hikes in the park with their two young children and big black lab.

Jan Mason, {Director of Operations} keeps us on the straight and narrow. She’s a cracker-jack accountant who brings twenty years of corporate business experience to our non-profit mission. She plans to spend her retirement sailing the open seas and volunteering for a variety of noble causes – but until then, she works for students and families by keeping the rest of the EduGuide.org team on track. She manages our office, finances and human resources.

Jenny Holliday {Community Support Coordinator} comes to EduGuide with all the knowledge and experience four kids and eight years of teaching can bring. After teaching creative writing, debate, psychology, and German via Interactive Television to numerous high schools, she began substitute teaching for area Head Start and early elementary programs. Working at EduGuide allows her to utilize her experience in the teaching field and share all her failures and successes as a parent. As a mom, she has quite a vested interest in the education of our youth.

Jon Morgan {Web Services Coordinator} brings ten years of experience in web page design, public relations and customer service to his role as EduGuide's first User Host. His passion for helping others makes him the ideal front-line-go-to-guy for our user community. He's also a key strategist, helping us build the EduGuide community and understand user needs. The father of two young children, Jon attributes his extreme patience and highly evolved problem solving abilities to years of answering the question, "Why, Daddy?"

Liz Mooradian {Director of Programs} was the fortunate recipient of strong family encouragement and support and became the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned her degree in education, and taught high school English for two years. She then turned to the business world, and has had over twenty years experience in communications, training, and program management, primarily in high-tech. In joining the EduGuide team, Liz brings a passion for quality education, and enabling people to reach their highest potential. After living in several other parts of the country over the years, Liz returned to her native state of Michigan in 2002, and now shares her home with six dogs, all from rescue organizations and each, quite spoiled!

MaryKat Parks Workinger {Editorial Director} comes to us from Grand Haven, Michigan; her husband from Connecticut; and her daughter from Lian Jiang, China. She received her BA and MA in English literature from the University of Michigan. After working many jobs as editor, admissions counselor, and teacher she has finally settled here at EduGuide. MaryKat’s favorite hobbies include (but are not limited to): Michigan history, kayaking, folk music, camping, and botany. She and her family share their home with Jazzy the dog, Oyster the cat, and a fish that shall remain nameless. MaryKat’s boundless enthusiasm and good humor encourage everyone to “just keep swimming…”

Noah Izzat {Manager of Partner Support} joined EduGuide in November 2006. Prior to EduGuide he worked for the American Cancer Society Great Lakes Division as a Project Coordinator. Noah worked at ACS for five years on fundraising, volunteer, and advocacy projects all while completing his Bachelor's Degree at Michigan State University. Noah is currently pursuing his Masters in Business and Administration at Northwood University. He resides in Downtown Lansing with his beautiful wife Kristi and daughter Layla.

Ron Wilson {Director of Development} uses any legal means to bring money through the door – he’s a great champion for our cause! He spreads word of our non-profit mission to new corporate philanthropists, advertisers and donors while continuing to embrace the valuable relationships we have with our existing partners. He has launched his four children to success already – but plans to use EduGuide’s resources to help his grandson, Jacob, age 1, reach his full potential.

Selena M. Melvin {Director of Training} A veteran teacher, curriculum developer and educational leader, Selena was a public school administrator and taught middle and high school English for over ten years in South Carolina, Connecticut, Louisiana, Texas, and Michigan. Her personal successes are the results of constructive parent-school relationships. She designs and delivers workshops that equip teachers and parents to work together in pursuit of their common goal — student's success. She strongly believes that good teaching does not come from behind a desk; it comes from behind the heart.