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 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 and a MA in Global Affairs, specializing in economics and development. She completed her residency studies in 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.
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 (Tony) 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).
Jennifer Eason
Jennifer Eason contributes her extensive cross-cultural expertise, design training, curriculum development and teaching skills
Jennifer Eason contributes her extensive cross-cultural expertise, design training, curriculum development and teaching skills to Dreamroot’s programs. Ms. Eason began a career in architecture and design where she held a Senior Designer position with SKB Architecture and Design. She later transitioned to becoming an ordained minister focusing on cross-cultural missions and program development. She has lived and worked throughout Haiti as a Field Representative for Global Giving and Director of Community Outreach with Streethearts where she mentored a team of staff, monitored and evaluated programs, worked with street kids to teach life skills and positive identity, and led street outreach events. Ms. Eason has also lived and worked in eastern Congo serving as administrator for U.S. partner relations and taught English, leadership, led Bible studies, and taught design basics for women sewing programs. Currently based in D.C., Ms. Eason travels regularly to Alaska where she works with children in the North Slope. She also partners with local organizations in both the Anchorage area and D.C. to bring awareness to combat human trafficking. Ms. Eason graduated with a BS in Interior Design.
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.
David Marroquin
David Marroquin is a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with a decade of experience in the real estate industry
David Marroquin is a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with a decade of experience in the real estate industry and 14 years cumulative in the sales industry. As an experienced Senior Loan Originator, his drive, dedication, communication skills and hard work ethics have contributed to his continued personal career growth and expansion of the employers’ corporation. His time spent in the sales industry helped him discover his true passion of leading others to accomplish their homeownership goals through counseling, mentoring and creating a structured game plan catered to each of their needs. He also served on ‘Every Day is Christmas’ to fundraise through sporting events to provide lower income and single-family households with affordable gifts and meals during the holidays. David graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland University College where he earned his BSA in Business Finance.
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 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 and a MA in Global Affairs, specializing in economics and development. She completed her residency studies in 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.
Anthony Annan
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.
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).
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.
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.
Jennifer Eason
Jennifer Eason contributes her extensive cross-cultural expertise, design training, curriculum development and teaching skills
Jennifer Eason contributes her extensive cross-cultural expertise, design training, curriculum development and teaching skills to Dreamroot’s programs. Ms. Eason began a career in architecture and design where she held a Senior Designer position with SKB Architecture and Design. She later transitioned to becoming an ordained minister focusing on cross-cultural missions and program development. She has lived and worked throughout Haiti as a Field Representative for Global Giving and Director of Community Outreach with Streethearts where she mentored a team of staff, monitored and evaluated programs, worked with street kids to teach life skills and positive identity, and led street outreach events. Ms. Eason has also lived and worked in eastern Congo serving as administrator for U.S. partner relations and taught English, leadership, led Bible studies, and taught design basics for women sewing programs. Currently based in D.C., Ms. Eason travels regularly to Alaska where she works with children in the North Slope. She also partners with local organizations in both the Anchorage area and D.C. to bring awareness to combat human trafficking. Ms. Eason graduated with a BS in Interior Design.
David Marroquin
David Marroquin is a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with a decade of experience in the real estate industry
David Marroquin is a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with a decade of experience in the real estate industry and 14 years cumulative in the sales industry. As an experienced Senior Loan Originator, his drive, dedication, communication skills and hard work ethics have contributed to his continued personal career growth and expansion of the employers’ corporation. His time spent in the sales industry helped him discover his true passion of leading others to accomplish their homeownership goals through counseling, mentoring and creating a structured game plan catered to each of their needs. He also served on ‘Every Day is Christmas’ to fundraise through sporting events to provide lower income and single-family households with affordable gifts and meals during the holidays. David graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland University College where he earned his BSA in Business Finance.
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 the Local Leaders
Jhon
Jiu Jitsu and Education Initiative
Jhonatas (Jhon) and his wife Eneide are the local leaders of Arte Suave / DreamRoot Training Center in Paulista, Brazil. This center offers accessible Jiu Jitsu, English, Music, and Tutoring programs to at-risk children, youth and adults in the local community. When Jhon is not teaching Jiu Jitsu class and mentoring students he serves full-time as military police for the city of Recife.
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.
Julio and Alejandra
Julio and Alejandra are local leaders in Sao Jose da Tapera.
Julio and Alle have moved to the most impoverished region of Brazil, the Sertao, with the objective to serve those most in need.
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
Davi leads a Jiu Jitsu social initiative and community outreaches.
Davi leads a Jiu Jitsu social initiative and community outreaches within the impoverished town of Sao Jose da Tapera. His program provides weekly meals for students in need. His academy provides a safe place for children and youth to connect with mentors, develop their own leadership abilities and discover their dreams in life.
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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