Monia Johnson, Director of Camp Beyond

As Camp Director for Camp Beyond, Monia brings operational excellence and systems-building to joyful camp programming. Through her work at Change Summer, Monia aspires to build robust social-emotional learning opportunities where campers can discover their strengths, test their limits and learn new skills while having fun.

Monia developed her affinity for the outdoors during family camping trips where she fell in love with the adventure of open-water swimming and climbing trees, the connection fostered over community meals and campfire songs, and the overwhelming peace of being in nature. She spent three consecutive summers at Camp Mendocino in Yountville, CA, where she became an archery master and later served as a Junior Camp Counselor.

Prior to joining Change Summer, Monia earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, serving as a core community Clinician for teens. She then took a risk and ventured abroad to South Korea to teach English to children ages 7-13. Following her experience abroad, Monia transitioned to the private sector, bringing her educational and leadership prowess to JP Morgan Chase’s Learning and Organizational Development team. In 2018, Monia decided to return to her first passion: serving, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. She then joined Uncommon Schools as the Director of Operations at Brownsville Collegiate Charter School, where she combined her business acumen with love of program development.

Monia previously served as Change Summer’s Senior Advisor. She is passionate about kickball and strives to deepen her impact by stretching learning experiences beyond classroom walls and into the great outdoors. She finds deep joy and purpose in sharing camp experience with campers and counselors who look like her.

When Monia isn’t raining jumpers on campers and counselors in 3-on-3 basketball, she can be found fishing on her family boat or snuggling with her beloved 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Roxy. Monia is a proud graduate of Spelman College and currently resides in Houston, TX.

Josh Phillips, CEO of Change Summer

Josh attended Camp Naticook in New Hampshire as a child and worked as the Head Boys Counselor at Camp Laurel in Maine for several summers.

He founded Camp Uncommon in 2016 and Change Summer in 2018. Formerly, he served as Uncommon’s Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director of Rochester and Troy schools, and Chief of Innovation and School Operations. He was previously the Co-Director of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Boston. In 2007, Roxbury Prep’s 8th graders had the highest math MCAS scores in the entire state of Massachusetts. 

Prior to leadership at Roxbury Prep, Josh served as the Enrichment Coordinator and sixth grade World History teacher. He was also a history teacher-intern at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science while earning an EdM in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. Josh received his B.A. in political science from Colgate University and his M.A. in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a Pahara Aspen Fellow and currently serves on the Boards of Trustees of the American Camp Association of NY/NJ and Rochester Prep Charter School.

Tamera McLeod, Assistant Director

Tamera, originally from North Carolina, has a Bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Studies and a Master’s in Education Policy with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood and K-12 school contexts. She presently works as an educational data analyst and coach and student-teacher supervisor and previously spent five years working as a kindergarten teacher. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in North Macedonia and is fluent in Macedonian. She fell in love with camp last year and can’t wait to return this season.

Kenya Salisbury, Head of Discovery

Kenya Salisbury is a Brooklyn native; she earned her Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from Brooklyn College and minored in Early Childhood Education. Kenya has worked in education for over 10 years and loves every moment of her experience. Kenya comes from a family of educators.

In her free time, Kenya enjoys painting, home decorating, gardening, and observing wildlife. As the Head of Discovery, Kenya is excited for the opportunity to teach our rising generation how to be self-aware, how to use self-control, and how to build interpersonal skills, all in a fun camp way. GO BEYOND!

Keshia Kirtz, Head of Wellness

Keshia Kirtz was born in Fairfield, CA. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist and a proud Alumni of University of Oregon—go Ducks!!! Keshia loves to eat and travel. She is a certified chef and a mom of two beautiful children. 

Keshia has a Master’s in Social Work & Public Health. She currently serves as a consultant for a global consulting firm. 

Keshia’s first love is camp and helping the next generation of leaders learn to love, grow, and develop as whole humans.

Shanee’ Johnson-Dunbar, Health Center Administrator 

Shanee’ was born in Monterey, California. She is a lifelong partner and a mother to two children. She studied Business Administration/Management at Colorado Mesa University and worked in business for a short time before deciding to start a family. Her partner and her children encourage her every day, and because of them she has chosen to do what’s in her heart—teach and impact youth! She currently teaches in a toddler classroom in Long Beach, California and loves it! 

Chamond Brooks, Head Counselor

Chamond Brooks was born and raised in Houston, TX.  She has been working in the field of education for almost 10 years. She obtained her bachelor's degree in liberal arts with a minor in education from Pacific Island University. Youth empowerment has always been a strong passion of hers and it’s also very rewarding for her. To know that she’s able to make a difference in the lives of youth each day is something that her heart beats for. She strives to be the person she needed when she was younger and lead by example. She’s super excited to be a part of the Camp Beyond team and believes that together we can create magic!

In her free time, she enjoys watching great shows on Netflix and supporting community events. She really enjoys dancing, model coaching, singing karaoke, and doing DIY projects.

David Dunbar, Head Counselor

David Dunbar was born in Oakland, California and now resides in Los Angeles, California. After high school, he received a basketball scholarship from Colorado Mesa University, where he completed his B.A. in Business Management. Over the past 10 years, he has coached and trained basketball players of all ages, mentored youth, and helped the next generation grow, develop, and excel. He is currently a high school basketball coach and a chaplain for a company in LA. His hobbies include basketball, spending time with his wife and two beautiful children, working out, and reading. He lives to laugh!

Shavonne Breeden, Family Liaison

Shavonne Breeden was born in South Carolina and raised in North Carolina, a true Carolina girl!

Outside of her full-time job, Shavonne has spent the last two years tutoring at an elementary school, where she helps students gain confidence and skills in foundational math concepts. Additionally, she spent three summers working at a summer camp designed to promote and increase access to higher education for underrepresented rising high school seniors. Shavonne has a bachelor's degree in Management from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master's degree in Business Analytics from Wake Forest University. She is passionate about empowering students of color and their families, guiding them towards access to higher education and opportunities within the STEM field.

As our Family Liaison, Shavonne ensures that every camper and their family feels supported, informed, and empowered throughout their summer camp journey!

Darien Davis, Senior Team Fellow

Darien is a ‘vegpreneur,’ full-stack software engineer, self-published author, social justice advocate, and community coordinator. He was born and raised in New York City, where he graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Security. For the last eight years, Darien has been leading initiatives for the youth in his community and working for youth with special needs outside of it as a community habilitation specialist. In addition, he spent six summers stirring up fun at a residential camp for children and young adults with special needs. He is ready and excited to bring his resourcefulness and camp spirit to Camp Beyond!