The Teen Health Mississippi team is a group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to promote the vision of Teen Health Mississippi.
Current Staff
Hope L. Crenshaw, PhD, directly interacts with all stakeholders, donors, partner organizations, and other policymakers interested in supporting the work of Teen Health Mississippi. She works with the Board of Directors to ensure Teen Health Mississippi is functioning according to its mission and goals and operating within its budget. Hope is also responsible for overseeing all Teen Health Mississippi programming and growth and supporting the Teen Health Mississippi staff. Hope is based in the Jackson, MS office.
Josh McCawley, MPH, provides issue education and advocacy for local- and state-level policies related to teen sexual and reproductive health. He provides district advocacy for the CHART abstinence-plus policy in addition to providing teacher trainings on the CHART sex education curricula, grades K-5 human growth and development education curricula, and other professional development opportunities. He also works with local communities to improve teens’ access to general health services. Josh is based in the Jackson, MS office.
Whitney French, BSW, works to help improve access to and quality of youth-friendly healthcare services for teens across the state of Mississippi. Whitney engages with healthcare providers, clinical systems, and school-based health centers to provide training and technical assistance. Teen Health Mississippi’s LinkedUp, Youth-Friendly Healthcare, and More2Me are the primary programs that Whitney works with. She is based in the Clarksdale, MS office.
Kimberly Massey
Director of Operations
kimberly@teenhealthms.org
Kimberly Massey, MSW, is the Director of Operations for Teen Health Mississippi. She manages the agency’s day-to-day operations, including fiscal management, human resources, and resource coordination. After serving as start-up consultant for THMS in 2019, Kimberly joined the team full-time in 2021. She is based in Jackson, MS.
Mariaha Amos, MPH, is Project Coordinator for Project Mind Elevation, where she works with youth partners and community stakeholders to leverage resources to support mental and reproductive health for young people. Her work engages youth in healthcare via social media and on-the-ground campaigns and supports partnership with schools and community organizations. Mariaha travels throughout Mississippi to facilitate youth-friendly training to teachers, coordinators, youth, and other trusted adults. She is based in the Clarksdale, MS office.
Triuna Taylor, BS, is the Director of Community-Based Education, Gulf Coast Expansion for Teen Health Mississippi. She delivers trainings, both virtual and in-person, from our extensive catalogue of youth-centered trainings to our community partners. She spearheads our efforts on the Coast with Sexual Health for Adolescents Rooted in Equity (SHARE) and works on mental health policy. After spending the previous three years as a Board Member, Triuna became a full-time team member in 2022. She is based in Pensacola, FL.
Justin Lofton develops and adapts online and digital education programs to build the capacity of youth, their parents, and youth-serving adults. He uses a combination of technical expertise, educational coordination, and operational management to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience for participants and trainers alike. Justin coordinates Mississippi Youth Innovation (MYInnovation), a youth-driven program for HBCU students to create innovative digital HIV awareness interventions.
Brittney Clayborn, BS, serves as the Training and Outreach Coordinator for Teen Health Mississippi. In her role, she helps in creating, updating, and delivering comprehensive training programs that empower youth and educate adults. Brittney also takes an active part in outreach events across the state, spreading the message of Teen Health Mississippi to ensure communities are informed, engaged, and supported in fostering healthier futures for youth. She is based in Hattiesburg, MS, and the Jackson, MS office.
Iesha Hayes serves as Teen Health Mississippi’s Youth Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, working closely with youth activists across the state. She advocates for the health and well-being of Mississippi youth, focusing on areas such as comprehensive sex education and mental health supports. Through her work, Iesha empowers young people to engage with their communities and equips them to hold meaningful conversations with lawmakers about the issues that matter most to youth. She is based in Teen Health Mississippi’s Jackson office.
Board of Directors
Jacqueline Smith, Board Chair
Marni von Wilpert, Board Member
Kathryn Carroll, Board Member
Sanford Johnson, Board Member
Holly Smith, Board Member
Clay Morris, Board Member
Jermany Gray, Board Member
Melanie Powell, Board Member