TEAM BIOS

Carnell Arrington, Education Manager, Baltimore Region

Carnell Arrington joined the LETS GO team in 2021.  Inspired by his mother, an educator for over 35 years, the Baltimore-native started his career as an elementary teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System in 2007.  In his 11 years of service with BCPSS, Carnell held multiple titles including Mentor Teacher, Staff Developer, School and Family Council Chair, and PBIS Committee Chair. In 2011, Carnell was recognized for his efforts as the Teacher of the Year for Margaret Brent Elementary School. In the education field, Carnell has a proven track record of improving student math scores through innovative and restorative practices. In 2018, Carnell transition into higher education as a Division I Basketball Coach at Coppin State University. He has a proven ability to connect and build genuine relationships with a diverse group of people. Carnell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Morgan State University with a minor in Entrepreneurship.

 

Melissa Angerson, Program Coordinator

Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience teaching middle and high school science in the Anne Arundel County Public School System (AACPS). She developed a passion for STEM while teaching at Old Mill Middle South, a STEM magnet school. During her 13 years at AACPS, Melissa became a National Board-Certified science teacher and helped to develop science curricula for AACPS. Having joined LETS GO in May 2022, she is developing new STEM curricula for middle to early high school students and delivering STEM programming in Anne Arundel County for grades K-9.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mary Washington University and a Master degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. She is also an avid equestrian. She was born and raised in Northern New Jersey.

 

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David Chiles, CEO and Acting Workforce Development Director

Mr. David Chiles is a leader in artificial intelligence and information technology. He has over 29 years of experience in the private sector and over 13 years of executive leadership experience in the Federal Government. Mr. Chiles is currently the Chief Systems Integration Officer at LETS GO. He works with the Chief Operating Officer to integrate the work of LETS GO's regions, functions, and programs with partnering schools, youth organizations, and education providers.

 

Mr. Chiles was an Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology advisor to the Patent Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners in his previous role at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He advised them on current and future products and services. He was also an advisor on initiatives supporting the agency's Council for Inclusive Innovation. The council improved participation in innovation by encouraging, empowering, and supporting women and other underrepresented groups as future innovators through strategic initiatives.

 

Before that, Mr. Chiles was Director of the Office of Organizational Policy and Governance at the USPTO, in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. He was also the Chief Technology Officer and acting Chief Information Officer. In addition, Mr. Chiles was one of the USPTO's mentoring champions, responsible for promoting its mentoring program and related initiatives throughout the agency.

 

Before starting his service at the USPTO, David worked in the private sector. At AOL, Mr. Chiles had leadership roles as a systems architect and software engineer. He also led engineering teams at U.S. Robotics, 3Com, and other companies providing innovative products in the data and telecommunication fields. Mr. Chiles also spent several years as a business owner performing software engineering consulting for private sector companies. He also worked as a software engineer for several consulting firms supporting medium and large clients.

 

A Washington D.C. native, Mr. Chiles now resides in Maryland with his family. He is an inventor with over 15 granted patents committed to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact on the world around him.

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Deborah Chin, CAE, Development Associate

Deborah develops new funding sources for LETS GO’S programs, orchestrates special events, and builds capacity through community partnerships. She also manages the post-grant reporting and invoicing for various Anne Arundel County grants. Previously at LETS GO, she volunteered in development and communications (2018-2019), publishing donor newsletters and orchestrating the annual golf tournament and auction fundraiser. From 2019-2022, she served as the part-time Special Projects Director until she joined the team in July 2022 as a Development Associate.  Prior to LETS GO, Deborah served as the Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and CAO at The ERISA Industry Committee. She earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 2008 and is an American Society of Association Executives Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholar (Class of 2014-2016).

 

VaShaun Davis, Program & Data Coordinator

VaShaun is one of the first LETS GO STEM Scholars. He was inspired by a LETS GO presentation on neutral buoyancy. He later joined LETS GO as a Jr. STEM Assistant. He was promoted to Assistant Instructor in Washington, DC where he coached the FBR Nation Robotics Kings and Queens FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics team at the FBR Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The team is the first LETS GO robotics team from Washington, DC, to participate in an FLL tournament—a milestone for LETS GO and VaShaun. Since joining LETS GO, VaShaun has expanded his responsibilities to include program data management for the entire organization and program support for the Washington, DC and Anne Arundel County regions. Additionally, he has become a certified observer for The PEAR Institute: Partnerships in Education and Resilience at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital. The certification demonstrates his understanding of the dimensions of success required for students to excel in informal STEM learning environments.

 

Debbie Dininno, Chief Program Officer

Debbie Dininno, Baltimore Regional Director, manages all regional staff, establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships, coordinates outcome evaluation efforts and manages the database. Debbie has 13 years of experience with LETS GO, serving as the Baltimore Regional Director for the past 7 years.  Debbie Dininno has been with LETS GO since inception, 2009.  Debbie has grown the Baltimore region significantly since assuming the role as regional director.  She loves to solve complex and challenging problems in order to contribute and impact the lives of others.  Debbie began her career in special education in Baltimore County and then transitioned into the world of Non-Profit Leadership and Management.  Debbie received her Master of Science in Educational Technology from Johns Hopkins University.

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J-Min Jackson, Program Manager

Born to Korean parents and raised as a third culture kid in Kenya, J-Min's upbringing was a mosaic of diverse experiences. With extensive years spent abroad, including in South Korea, and later immigrating to the USA, coupled with her travels to 30 countries, she gained a profound understanding of the impact of poverty on youth and the important role of quality education. Having personally witnessed the stark realities of poverty and the accompanying barriers, J-Min's experiences ignited a lifelong passion within her to challenge these obstacles and promote a global perspective. Since then, she has been driven by a determination to break barriers of poverty, cultural stereotypes, and perceived biases. 
 
Drawing from her background and fueled by her experiences, J-Min co-founded a non-profit organization and currently serves as the president of the board of directors for Getaway Growth, a young organization dedicated to providing transformative international educational travel experiences for underserved youth. 
A recent graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, J-Min was eager to merge her expertise and passion to empower even more students, which particularly drew her to Let’s Go Girls and Boys. 
 
J-Min's interest in STEM has been a constant in her life, with science and technology serving as her favorite pillars within the discipline. This interest is not only reflected in her academic pursuits but also in her hobbies and extracurricular activities, underscoring her dedication to fostering inclusivity and opportunity in these areas. 
 
Following her recent experience with Getaway Growth’s Summer Intercultural Competence and Service Learning Trip, where she witnessed alarming levels of ocean pollution during a beach cleanup, J-Min was inspired to pursue her long-held goal of obtaining her scuba diving certification. Now equipped with this skill, she is supporting community-driven initiatives focused on ocean conservancy and sustainability efforts. 
 
Additionally, J-Min is an active member of the Planetary Society, advocating for space exploration and staying abreast of developments in the field. Her diverse experiences also extend to her professional background, where she has served as a Fitness Professional and worked with the US Non-Commissioned Officers Association, fostering partnerships between the US Military, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, and South Korea. In 2017, in collaboration with Africa Insight, J-Min also produced the first Seoul African Fashion Show, aiming to challenge stereotypes and change perceptions around Africa in Korea. As a hobby, she also facilitated community-building events for foreigners and expatriates in Korea, fostering connections between diverse communities. 
 
With her experience in working with diverse groups and her cross-cultural community development expertise, J-Min is excited to make STEM education accessible to all students, firmly believing that every student deserves opportunities to become future leaders and global citizens of tomorrow. 

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Bill Mojica, Chief Development & Communications Officer

LETS GO hired Bill Mojica as the new Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) in May 2023. Bill has over 32 years of experience in fundraising in the non-profit sector and human service industry and brings extensive knowledge in leadership development, strategic planning, community engagement, and revenue growth, both locally and internationally.

Bill recently served as the Director of Development for the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, and as a Development consultant for Maryland CASA. Before joining PBRC, he served as the Director of Development & Foundation Operations at the ISPE Foundation. Bill also worked with Chimes, Inc. as VP of Development & Communications. Prior to this role, he held the position of Regional Director of Development at the Woodbourne Center, where he successfully created and launched a $2.1 million capital campaign among other efforts to expand and diversify the center’s revenue stream.

Bill will focus his initial efforts on crafting and executing fundraising and marketing plans to enhance our revenue streams and help to shape LETS GO’s brand to reach a broader audience. Moreover, Bill will play an integral part in developing our strategic plan to strengthen our impact on the communities we serve. He has a proven track record of procuring impactful gifts from a variety of funding sources. Bill is well-versed in the Maryland philanthropic community, and LETS GO looks to capitalize on his vast network.

Bill is married and has four children. He remains a long-time football coach at Calvert Hall High School. Bill is the Vice-President of the Cardinal & Gold Football Foundation, and the Secretary of the Calvert Hall Alumni Association. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Towson University, and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Family School of Philanthropy.

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Pam O’Neil, Accounting and HR Director

Pam serves as Accounting and Human Resources Manager for LET’S GO Boys and Girls. As owner of a small company specializing in back-office needs, she provides LET’S GO with accounting, human resources, policy development and organizational skills. Before starting her own business in 2015, Pam worked in the telecom, service and real estate sectors in accounting, human resources, sales and marketing roles. Pam received her BS and MBA from the University of Baltimore and earned her SHRM-CP certificate in 2011. Pam and her husband reside in Florida with one very spoiled dog. Her personal interests include traveling, boating, walking, reading, gardening and cooking.

 

Hannah Ross, Program Manager

Hannah (Wroton) Ross joined the LETS GO team in 2021 to launch the LETS GO Career Catalyst Internship Program and Alumni Connection (LAC) project. She previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with LETS GO, helping to build organizational capacity.

She began her career in restoration ecology, teaching students about conservation and restoration practices and assisting with ecological research. Four years later, she combined her lifelong passion for mentorship and student development with her love of STEM at LETS GO. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Geology from the University of Colorado, graduating with Academic Distinction.

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Kandace Shields, Regional Director, AACO and DC

Kandance Shields is a native born of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Area. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Virginia Polytechnic State and University with a minor in Chemistry. Upon graduation she worked for three years in the biopharmaceutical field as a Microbiologist, helping to ensure environment sterility and the quality of the manufacturing process of pharmaceuticals. Called to teaching, as she spent many childhood years in her mothers and grandmother's classrooms, she went back to school to receive an M ed. in Elementary Education with a certification and license in Elementary Montessori 6-12 years. She has taught Lower Elementary Montessori for three years within the DC Public School system and now recently joins the LETS GO Boys and Girls Team, bridging her background in Science and Education. She is passionate about exposing young children to STEM as this work incites the imagination and creativity of children and develops the whole child (both academically and socially).

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