As the Executive Director for Fayette FACTOR, Dawn Oparah has spent over 40 years working in the human services field. In 1995 Dawn Co-Founded Amadi Leadership Associates, Inc., a consulting firm that offers training and consultation in organizational development, community capacity building, management, leadership development, school improvement strategies, and human development. Dawn provided Technical Assistance to non-profit organizations in the areas of organizational improvement, board development, sustainability planning, strategic planning, marketing, program planning, evaluation, and resource development. Prior to becoming a consultant Dawn served as a university administrator, instructor, schoolteacher, school principal, government administrator, and a college lecturer abroad. Dawn is the author of the book “Make a World of Difference: 50 Asset Building Activities to Help Teens Explore Diversity.”  Dawn co-authored a chapter in the book Empowerment Evaluation in 2015. She has served on 24 local, regional and statewide boards including the board and executive board of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce.. Dawn is also a co-founder for AVPRIDE, a youth  leadership development nonprofit organization, Inc. A resident of Fayette County for over 30 years, Dawn has been married for over 45 years and has 4 adult offspring and 4 grandchildren.

Tara Hannon has been a resident of Fayette County for over four decades, and is a dedicated and passionate advocate for substance use prevention and youth empowerment. As Program Coordinator Director of the Drug Free Fayette Coalition, Tara plays a pivotal role in helping to steer the coalition’s efforts towards creating a safer, drug-free environment for all residents who call Fayette County home. Her leadership extends to managing Fayette FACTOR’s evidence-based juvenile delinquency prevention programs, including the Triple P Positive Parenting and the Prime for Life Alcohol and Substance Use Diversion program, which seek to make significant strides in educating juveniles and parents, reducing risky behaviors among youth, and improving overall family well-being. As the Youth Liaison for Drug Free Fayette’s Youth Actions Teams, Tara draws on her personal battle with substance use disorder during her teenage years to strengthen her dedication to guiding young people towards making informed choices about alcohol and substance use. This dedication aims to empower young people to safeguard what they value most while reducing the likelihood of facing negative consequences that could jeopardize those things they value. Her journey from personal struggle to advocacy underscores her focused commitment and determination to provide youth with the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources needed to emerge as impactful peer leaders and positive role models within their school communities. Moreover, Tara is committed to amplifying the voice of the youth, ensuring they play a pivotal role in developing community-wide strategies aimed at protecting their peers from the risks and harms associated with alcohol and substance use in Fayette County.

Lisa Stanley is the Director of Resource Development for Fayette FACTOR.  Prior to joining FACTOR, she spent numerous years as an executive in the corporate world where she led and managed grants/proposals teams, trained staff, set standards, upheld corporate policies and procedures including compliance, defined processes, and streamlined production management. By leveraging her years of experience along with FACTOR’s strategic vision, Lisa is able to cultivate partnerships and create innovative strategies to nurture lasting relationships with donors and community partners. The combination of her passion for community and corporate experience has already been, and will continue to be a valuable asset to FACTOR.

Brandon Kirksey is a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University whose passion is music and assisting others. He began his administrative career as an administrative assistant with RSUI Group located in Buckhead, Ga. While working with the company, he received a call to tour as a musician with a production company called Drumline Live. He chose to seize the opportunity and toured nationally and internationally with them for 3 years. After touring, Brandon began working for the City of Atlanta Solicitor’s office as a Legal Program Assistant and a Compliance Specialist. After his time with the Solicitor’s office, he had a passion to work with smaller businesses and began working with Donaldson Elite Transportation in Customer Relations. There he was able to fulfill his passion for helping others. He then saw an opportunity to work in his own community with Fayette FACTOR. As current Executive Administrator of Fayette FACTOR, he has gained knowledge and many experiences to assist in improving the health and well-being of the community. He is also project manager for Fayette FACTOR’s Prime For Life program and a proud graduate of Leadership Fayette class of 2023.