Our Commitment
We are committed to investing in leaders and changemakers in underserved communities, equipping and empowering them to solve local challenges and raising up others to do the same. Our team is made up of business people, academics, development professionals, and mission leaders from around the world. We are a catalyst for dreams, a launching pad for leaders, and an accelerator of transformation.
Meet The Directors
Amy Passos
Ms. Passos contributes over a decade of organizational development and management to DreamRoot.
Ms. Passos contributes over a decade of organizational development and management to DreamRoot. As an entrepreneur, she has experience in start-ups, strategic planning and team leadership. She has held positions both within the for-profit and non-profit sectors in the fields of adult training, business development and international development. Ms. Passos holds both a BS in Business Management, a MA in Global Affairs, specializing in economics and development, and a certification in Organization Development. She completed her MA economics residency studies in Havana, Cuba. And has worked on leadership and educational programs in Brazil and Haiti. Ms. Passos is the recipient of the "Loudoun 40 Under 40" and "Loudoun 100" awards.
Kellie Koch
Kellie Koch is a public relations professional, working at a PR firm in Northern Virginia that specializes in strategic communications.
Kellie Koch is a public relations professional, working at a PR firm in Northern Virginia that specializes in strategic communications. Her passion is to help organizations and people tell their stories. She received her master's degree from American University and her undergraduate degree from Radford University. In her free time, Kellie enjoys learning more about what it looks like to live a sustainable lifestyle, volunteering with an anti-human trafficking organization, and watching good movies.
Christopher Little
Chris Little is a small business professional with almost three decades of business development, management, financial analysis, and forecasting.
Chris Little is a small business professional with almost three decades of business development, management, financial analysis, and forecasting. After serving in the Army and Virginia Army National Guard for six years, Chris launched and managed two service sector franchise locations in Virginia for just over 17 years, leading to a successful exit. During that time, Chris also launched his second business in the construction industry which he now owns and operates as a Class A Contractor within the state of Virginia. Additionally, Chris has served in various nonprofit executive roles and looks to leverage his experiences during his time at the DreamRoot Leadership Institute.
Andy Truong
Andy Truong brings over 15 years of administrative experience working and serving in the public sector.
Andy Truong brings over 15 years of administrative experience working and serving in the public sector, primarily the Fairfax County Government. In his current position as Financial Specialist, Mr. Truong supervises a staffing team and provides financial management and support to the various Fairfax County programs within Neighborhood and Community services, Office for Children, and the Infant and Toddler Connection. He contributes his leadership skills and experience in procurement, policies and procedures development, oversight and compliance, and audit reviews.
Mr. Truong holds a BS in Exercise Science and has held various positions in the fitness and coaching industries including Personal Trainer, Exercise Specialist, and Jiu Jitsu Coach. Mr. Truong has also served various leadership positions, including Board Member at his local church.
Tony Passos
Born in Recife, Brazil, Tony Passos grew up playing soccer at the professional level and then took up training Jiu Jitsu.
Born in Recife, Brazil, Tony Passos grew up playing soccer at the professional level and then took up training Jiu Jitsu. At age 24, he moved to the United States. Today, Mr. Passos runs a successful Brazilian Jiu jitsu academy and affiliation and coaches at competitions for one of the leading Jiu Jitsu teams. He is also the Co-Founder and Programs Director of DreamRoot Leadership Institute where he is involved in training and mentoring local leaders of social initiatives in underserved communities. Mr. Passos has held various leadership positions at his local church, including Youth Pastor and serving on the elder board. He has dedicated his career to teaching and mentoring and has a passion for seeing others fulfill their fullest calling as leaders and world changers.
Nathan Park
Nathan Park is serial entrepreneur with almost two decades of business development and management experience in various industries.
Nathan Park is serial entrepreneur with almost two decades of business development and management experience in various industries. Beginning as the sole owner of NH Solutions, LLC, for over 10 years, he ran the strategic operations and managed a workforce of over 200 employees that provided commercial cleaning services to over 60 buildings throughout Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. Wanting a change of pace, Mr. Park became the owner of Northern Virginia Sports Academy (NVSA) where he worked directly with middle school and high school athletes as a group trainer, while also running the day-to-day operations, developing programs and curriculum and managing staff. Today, he is the co-owner and director of Ariake Japanese restaurant.
Anthony Annan
Dr. Anthony Annan is a proven Senior Executive and Advisor with more than 20 years of financial management success across the banking, consulting, and energy industries.
Dr. Anthony Annan is a proven Senior Executive and Advisor with more than 20 years of financial management success across the banking, consulting, and energy industries. He brings substantial insights to DreamRoot from his global cultural experiences in Africa, the United States, and Europe. He is currently the President of Gladston Group LLC and Senior Advisor at the Whitaker Group Inc. He is also a Professor of Finance at the Caldwell University and holds an Adjunct Professor position at University of Maryland Global Campus. Dr. Annan has held senior executive positions at top international firms, including Ecobank Transnational Inc., the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Citigroup Inc., and the Standard Bank Group. has also held key public- and private-sector positions in Africa, including as the Treasurer for Ghana’s First Atlantic Merchant Bank, and Finance Manager at the Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana. Prior to his current teaching positions, he was Professor of Finance and Strategy at Virginia International University (VIU) and the University of Phoenix.
Dr. Annan holds a doctorate in Business Administration from Georgia State University, an MBA from The Wharton Business School, and a MS in Applied Mathematics and Informatics from the Warsaw School of Economics. He is a certified business valuation analyst and member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).
Meet The Directors
Amy Passos
Amy Passos contributes over a decade of organizational development and management to DreamRoot Leadership Institute.
Ms. Passos contributes over a decade of organizational development and management to DreamRoot. As an entrepreneur, she has experience in start-ups, strategic planning and team leadership. She has held positions both within the for-profit and non-profit sectors in the fields of adult training, business development and international development. Ms. Passos holds both a BS in Business Management, a MA in Global Affairs, specializing in economics and development, and a certification in Organization Development. She completed her MA economics residency studies in Havana, Cuba. And has worked on leadership and educational programs in Brazil and Haiti. Ms. Passos is the recipient of the "Loudoun 40 Under 40" and "Loudoun 100" awards.
Christopher Little
Chris Little is a small business professional with almost three decades of business development, management, financial analysis, and forecasting.
Chris Little is a small business professional with almost three decades of business development, management, financial analysis, and forecasting. After serving in the Army and Virginia Army National Guard for six years, Chris launched and managed two service sector franchise locations in Virginia for just over 17 years, leading to a successful exit. During that time, Chris also launched his second business in the construction industry which he now owns and operates as a Class A Contractor within the state of Virginia. Additionally, Chris has served in various nonprofit executive roles and looks to leverage his experiences during his time at the DreamRoot Leadership Institute.
Nathan Park
Nathan Park is serial entrepreneur with almost two decades of business development and management experience in various industries.
Nathan Park is serial entrepreneur with almost two decades of business development and management experience in various industries. Beginning as the sole owner of NH Solutions, LLC, for over 10 years, he ran the strategic operations and managed a workforce of over 200 employees that provided commercial cleaning services to over 60 buildings throughout Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. Wanting a change of pace, Mr. Park became the owner of Northern Virginia Sports Academy (NVSA) where he worked directly with middle school and high school athletes as a group trainer, while also running the day-to-day operations, developing programs and curriculum and managing staff. Today, he is the co-owner and director of Ariake Japanese restaurant.
Kellie Koch
Kellie Koch is a public relations professional, working at a PR firm in Northern Virginia that specializes in strategic communications.
Kellie Koch is a public relations professional, working at a PR firm in Northern Virginia that specializes in strategic communications. Her passion is to help organizations and people tell their stories. She received her master's degree from American University and her undergraduate degree from Radford University. In her free time, Kellie enjoys learning more about what it looks like to live a sustainable lifestyle, volunteering with an anti-human trafficking organization, and watching good movies.
Andy Truong
Andy Truong brings over 15 years of administrative experience working and serving in the public sector.
Andy Truong brings over 15 years of administrative experience working and serving in the public sector, primarily the Fairfax County Government. In his current position as Financial Specialist, Mr. Truong supervises a staffing team and provides financial management and support to the various Fairfax County programs within Neighborhood and Community services, Office for Children, and the Infant and Toddler Connection. He contributes his leadership skills and experience in procurement, policies and procedures development, oversight and compliance, and audit reviews.
Mr. Truong holds a BS in Exercise Science and has held various positions in the fitness and coaching industries including Personal Trainer, Exercise Specialist, and Jiu Jitsu Coach. Mr. Truong has also served various leadership positions, including Board Member at his local church.
Anthony Annan
Dr. Anthony Annan is a proven Senior Executive and Advisor with more than 20 years of financial management success across the banking, consulting, and energy industries.
Dr. Anthony Annan (Tony) is a proven Senior Executive and Advisor with more than 20 years of financial management success across the banking, consulting, and energy industries. He brings substantial insights to DreamRoot from his global cultural experiences in Africa, the United States, and Europe. He is currently the President of Gladston Group LLC and Senior Advisor at the Whitaker Group Inc. He is also a Professor of Finance at the Caldwell University and holds an Adjunct Professor position at University of Maryland Global Campus. Dr. Annan has held senior executive positions at top international firms, including Ecobank Transnational Inc., the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Citigroup Inc., and the Standard Bank Group. has also held key public- and private-sector positions in Africa, including as the Treasurer for Ghana’s First Atlantic Merchant Bank, and Finance Manager at the Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana. Prior to his current teaching positions, he was Professor of Finance and Strategy at Virginia International University (VIU) and the University of Phoenix.
Dr. Annan holds a doctorate in Business Administration from Georgia State University, an MBA from The Wharton Business School, and a MS in Applied Mathematics and Informatics from the Warsaw School of Economics. He is a certified business valuation analyst and member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).
Tony Passos
Born in Recife, Brazil, Tony Passos grew up playing soccer at the professional level and then took up training Jiu Jitsu.
Born in Recife, Brazil, Tony Passos grew up playing soccer at the professional level and then took up training Jiu Jitsu. At age 24, he moved to the United States. Today, Mr. Passos runs a successful Brazilian Jiu jitsu academy and affiliation and coaches at competitions for one of the leading Jiu Jitsu teams. He is also the Co-Founder and Programs Director of DreamRoot Leadership Institute where he is involved in training and mentoring local leaders of social initiatives in underserved communities. Mr. Passos has held various leadership positions at his local church, including Youth Pastor and serving on the elder board. He has dedicated his career to teaching and mentoring and has a passion for seeing others fulfill their fullest calling as leaders and world changers.
Meet Some of the Local Leaders
Jhon and Eneide
Jhon and Eneide lead the Arte Suave/ DreamRoot Training Center and serve their community through various social initiative and outreaches.
Jhonatas (Jhon) and his wife Eneide are the local leaders of Arte Suave / DreamRoot Training Center. Situated in an underserved community in Pernambuco, Brazil, this center offers accessible programming to community members including Jiu Jitsu, English, Counseling Session, Computer Educatoin, and Tutoring. The training center also serves as an incubator for budding entrepreneurs. When Jhon is not teaching Jiu Jitsu class and mentoring students he serves full-time as military police for the city of Recife.
Hear from Jhon in his own words HERE.
Rafaela
Rafaela, mentors and teaches ESL to youth and young women.
Rafaela, originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil now mentors and teaches ESL virtually to Portuguese-speaking youth and young women.
Eduardo
Eduardo and his team lead various social initiatives geared toward rescuing children from vulnerable situations and setting them up for success in life.
Eduardo and his team lead various social initiatives geared toward rescuing children from vulnerable situations and setting them up for success in life through a variety of services including, counseling, jiu jitsu, tutoring, mentoring and entrepreneurial training. Learn more about Eduardo's work in his own words HERE.
David and Rose
David and Rose run a local soccer initiative and community outreach.
David and Rose are leaders of a community soccer initiative that works with local children and youth in the surrounding villages. They have a heart and vision for a flourishing Haiti. They are raising their two beautiful children while running their own goat farm.
Davi and Ingrid
Davi and Ingrid lead the Sertao DreamRoot Training Center and serve their community through various social initiative and outreaches.
Davi and Ingrid lead the Sertao DreamRoot Training Center. Situated in the impoverished town of Sao Jose da Tapera in Alagoas, Brazil, this center offers accessible programming to community members including Jiu Jitsu, educational lessons and arts and crafts for children throughout the week and various community education events and gatherings throughout the year.
Their programming provides meals for students in need. The training center provides a safe place for children and youth to connect with mentors, develop their own leadership abilities and discover their dreams in life. Davi also runs a Jiu Jitsu academy in town.
Hear from Davi in his own words HERE.
Jesse
Jesse runs a safe house for children and a Jiu Jitsu social initiative.
Jesse and his wife Alex run a safe house for children leaving abusive home situations. Jesse also leads a Jiu Jits social initiative within the community. Originally from the United States, they decided to move to Brazil, learn Portuguese and serve a community in need. Now they are thriving, changing lives, and raising up leaders that are transforming the community.
Our Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors are a vital part of the team.
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