Our Team

As a transplant from Michigan, with 25 years in the field of education, Marian has a great passion for working with exceptional education students. She understands how programs and projects should be adapted and developed to match the needs of each student to ensure that they reach their learning potential. She’s able to assist her team with finding healthy problems solving perceptions bringing healing to people who have been through a stressful experience. She is committed to educating students, colleagues, families and the community through establishing strong connections.  After spending nearly, a decade working as an educator, administrator, and advocate, in 2007, Marian and her business partner established Mending Fences, LLC, a one to one behavioral aide service.

Currently, Marian is the CEO of Mending Fences, LLC and has served in this compacity since 2007. She supports and directs all Mending Fences daily operations.  Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in education from University of Phoenix, administration and supervision. She holds a Virginia postgraduate professional teaching license with an endorsement in serve disabilities, K-12. Since 2003, Marian has been an Administrator, Exceptional Education Teacher, Vocational Specialist, and IEP Coordinator in the public-school setting, private day and various nonprofit organizations as well as serving on the Multi-Disciplinary Team for Henrico County. She has dedicated herself to becoming a life-long educator and learner.  As an educational leader and advocate, Marian volunteers over 200 hours annually, helping families with life skills that are both practical and beneficial in their daily lives. Most recently, Marian and her business partner opened Stemtree of Midlothian, an Education Center which focuses on science, technology, and engineering aligning with today’s nationwide emphasis on STEM.  Marian continues to serve her community by sitting on Child Savers Community Board, as well having affiliations with several community organizations.

Tonya Salley-Goodwin has proudly served as an educator, administrator, and entrepreneur for over 20 years. Born and raised in Southside, Virginia, she assumed her undergraduate studies at Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA). Upon graduating, she found her calling in working with exceptional and behaviorally challenged children with United Methodist Family Services and St. Joseph's Villa, both located in the Greater Richmond area. Evolving through various positions of increasing responsibilities, Ms. Goodwin found success in her field, not only as a teacher but ultimately as a principal within UMFS Charterhouse School-Richmond Day School, having completed a Master's degree in secondary education administration and principalship certification. Her ability to connect with students, parents, and education partners saw her being charged with the establishment of UMFS's educational footprint in the Shenandoah Valley as the Principal of Charterhouse School-Edinburg from 2013 until 2018. Concurrently, she, along with her business partner, established a successful one-to-one behavioral counseling service, Mending Fences, LLC, in 2007, which continues to provide support to Richmond and Shenandoah Valley area school districts and private day schools. Tonya and her business partner also opened Stemtree of Midlothian in Midlothian, Virginia, in 2019, which focuses on science, technology, and engineering, aligning with today's nationwide emphasis on STEM. While making Harrisonburg her home for the last seven years, she has become invested in her community just as she is in Richmond. Her ease in connecting with people from all walks of life, coupled with her ability to effectively and efficiently manage the operational and administrative components of an organization, has led her to her next adventure working with Lutheran Family Services of Virginia as Principal of the Minnick School-Harrisonburg in 2019. Again, she brings a dearth of knowledge, compassion, and experience that compliments the mission and goals of the organization.

A Richmond native, Zachary Branch has dedicated his life to family, youth and community programming. His service has assured that all children in the Richmond and Tri-city area are introduced to quality programs and become productive citizens. As a former Richmond Public School Teacher, Qualified Mental Health Professional, Football Coach, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, and a Conflict Resolution/Peer Meditation Counselor he has redirected many children to perform and excel academically and socially in school and at home. As a teacher he created a curriculum (R.Y.A.N.'S Legacy, LLC. Mentoring) which empowers students to have a sense of ownership and a desire to learn academically and socially. He has been working successfully with families, youth development and consulting in Richmond and Tri-city area for over 22 years.

Zachary Branch has created programs in the field of lifre enrichment, such as, teen advisory, chess clubs, martial arts, physical fitness/youth sports, and family empowerment workshops. Currently, Mr. Branch serves on the Optima Family Health Care Advisory panel, Board 90 basketball officials executive board, Cedar St. Baptist Church youth ministry, security ministry, men and couple's ministries.

Philip Moore was born in the Bronx, New York and eventually moved with his family to Hillside, NJ. In 1995, he graduated from Hillside High School and then in 1996, he matriculated to higher education at Virginia State University. After leaving VSU in 1998, he returned in 2012 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in HPERD, with a concentration in Sports Management. His professional career includes 2 & 15-year stints with the YMCA and Richmond Public Schools respectively. At the YMCA, Mr. Moore was a before and after school Child Counselor. During his stint with Richmond Public Schools, Mr. Moore worked in a number of schools. Due to his strong work ethic and job performance he was used in multiple capacities, which included 1-to-1 Behavior Aide. This time in his career set him up to be successful with his current employer, Mending Fences LLC. In a short period of time Mr. Moore has proven to be an asset as a 1-to-1 Behavior Aide Counselor. In two years’ time, Mr. Moore was promoted to Site Supervisor, overseeing 20 plus staff persons at a number of schools. He was then promoted to his current position as Administrative Trainer where he facilitates all training methods for each business arm of Mending Fences LLC. It is his goal to help them maximize their potential and caused them become premier professional employee.

Tanisha Carter began her professional journey at Mending Fences, LLC, initially serving as a Behavior Aide before ascending to Client Relations Coordinator. With a background as a Behavior Aide and Lead, Tanisha brings a wealth of experience directly engaging with clients and staff to nurture positive transformations. In her present capacity, she utilizes her interpersonal abilities to cultivate meaningful relationships, positively impacting the lives of those she serves. Outside of work, Tanisha dedicates her spare time to pursuing Museum Studies, with a specialized focus on crafting educational programs tailored for students with exceptional needs.