Board of Directors

Daiana Lambrecht is the founding Executive Director of Futuro San Antonio, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for excellent public education and prosperity for all children in San Antonio. Prior she served as Rocketship’s Senior Director of Parent Leadership and Advocacy focused on building grassroot power and championing change as a coalition. As a Harvard Graduate School of Education alumni, she coached organizing and public narrative as part of Marshall Ganz’s Leading Change Network and Leadership Coach & Strategist under her own LLC, Comunidad Connects. She brings over 10 years of experience as a bilingual educator, community organizer and organizational leader in education and public school space. As a proud daughter of an immigrant mother and father from Argentina, her family experiences continue to inspire her fight for education and other opportunities for immigrants and other communities of color in the US.

Dr. Twyla Baylor is a lifelong educator and advocate for student success. A graduate of McCluer High School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Dr. Baylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration from Missouri Baptist University. After a decade-long career in technology, she transitioned into education, earning a Master’s in Elementary Education in 2007. While teaching full-time, Dr. Baylor launched Soaring High Tutoring Academy, serving elementary and high school students with additional academic support. She later earned a second Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Fontbonne University, where she also completed her doctoral degree in Collaborative High-Impact Instruction in 2024. Dr. Baylor brings to the Activate MO board a deep commitment to educational equity, decades of classroom experience, and a passion for innovative instruction that empowers students to reimagine what education can be.

Leslie Holloway is a successful fundraising specialist with more than 30 years of experience, including annual and capital campaigns. Her commitment to supporting future leaders and ensuring equitable opportunities for underserved communities has been evident throughout her

career. As conscientious executive who aggressively advocates for innovative programs, constructively challenges the status quo and assertively champions new initiatives, Leslie Holloway has served in chief fundraising roles at YWCA Metro St. Louis, United Negro College Fund, INROADS, Inc. and several universities including Harris-Stowe State University, The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University. Leslie Holloway has been responsible for campaigns with fundraising goals of $22M annually. Leslie Holloway has also held executive roles in Alumni Relations and Institutional Board oversight. Leslie Holloway, a native St. Louisan, received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Tulane University. She serves on the Flance Early Learning Center Board and as a member of several professional associations including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and National Black MBA Association, Inc.

Alyxaundria Sanford is a seasoned journalist, educator, and digital engagement strategist with a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Currently serving as the Digital Engagement Specialist at the Innocence Project, she leverages her extensive background in storytelling and advocacy to amplify voices and drive systemic change. Alyxaundria’s illustrious career spans roles at prominent media outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, the New York Daily News, and City & State Magazine. She has also contributed to The Intercept as an Audience Engagement Producer. An Ohio native, Alyxaundria holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, a master’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is an alumna of the Engagement Journalism program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Beyond her professional endeavors, Alyxaundria is passionate about the arts and culture, often attending Broadway shows, exploring new culinary experiences, and visiting exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. As a board member of Activate STL, Alyxaundria brings her expertise in media, advocacy, and community engagement to support the organization’s mission of empowering parents and uplifting community voices.