LeQui B. Gandy

Brittany Mathews was born in Columbus, Ohio, and currently resides in San Diego, California. She is no stranger to individuals on the autism spectrum; her nephew was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism in 2012, allowing her to witness firsthand the challenges that accompany such a diagnosis.

Brittany’s deep understanding and genuine care for others have guided her focus on family support, community engagement, and awareness. In 2014, her son, Isaac, was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), further strengthening her compassion for children with special needs. Navigating the daily challenges of raising a child with ADHD inspired Brittany to pursue a leadership role, and she now serves as Vice President of Nehemiah’s Place.

Ms. Mensah has served as an elementary school teacher with Columbus City Schools since 2020. She holds licensure as both an elementary and middle school principal. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys long walks, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Her deep commitment to working with children reflects a longstanding passion for supporting and empowering students from diverse  Ms. Mensah has served on the Board since 2024.

Originally from East Orange, New Jersey, Demetrius Samuel earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University and later pursued his master’s degree at Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio. No stranger to the field of special education, Mr. Samuel’s passion is deeply personal.

His youngest child, Kaori, born in 2024, was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, a rare genetic disorder. Despite her challenges, Kaori is a remarkably strong child. She is tracheostomy- and G-tube–dependent, has a congenital heart defect, and was born without the corpus callosum of her brain. She is blind, yet finds joy in listening to basketball, football, Storage Wars, and HGTV.

Having been hospitalized since birth, Kaori will celebrate her first birthday on January 29, 2026. Demetrius joined the Board to help spread awareness and education about individuals with special needs—a mission that is closer to his heart than most.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Lauren is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, driven by a deep curiosity about human behavior and a practical, real-world approach to learning. She brings intentionality and a strong growth mindset to both her academic and professional pursuits. 

With over 10 years of experience in business development, sales, and customer service, Lauren has developed strengths in communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building. She thrives at the intersection of understanding people and achieving results, continuously seeking opportunities to learn, evolve, and create meaningful connections.

 Jahni' Flood brings a unique blend of human resources expertise, community advocacy, and organizational strategy to the Board of Directors at Nehemiah’s Place. 

Her professional background includes a Master's Science in Human Resources Management, managing policy-driven processes, coordinating cross-functional collaboration, and working within data systems that directly impact people’s daily experiences. This work has given her a deep understanding of how structure, compliance, and thoughtful communication create environments where people are able to thrive.

As a mother, Jahni' also understands firsthand the importance of community, advocacy, and access to supportive resources for families. Her dedication to Nehemiah’s Place is rooted in her belief that families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder deserve not only resources, but advocacy, education, and a strong community network. She is especially passionate about helping the organization strengthen its operational structure, community outreach, and strategic growth so it can reach and serve even more families.

 Ephraim holds an Master's in Business Administration, equipping him with a strong academic foundation in strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and business development. His professional background includes extensive experience in software sales, where he honed a solution-oriented mindset, cultivated long-term client relationships, and consistently delivered value by aligning customer needs with innovative products.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Epis, a seasoning and marinade brand, where he combines his marketing expertise, operational insight, and entrepreneurial drive to scale the business and strengthen its market presence. As a visionary and results-driven leader, Ephraim is deeply committed to innovation, sustainable growth, and creating meaningful opportunities. 

Through every role he undertakes, he strives to inspire excellence, empower teams, and turn ambitious ideas into measurable success.