EOB TEAM
Schinnell Leake, Executive Director & Founder
Schinnell has always enjoyed creating events that are special and unique – parties that both children and adults remember. As the former owner of Extra-Ordinary Moments, a for-profit entity that provided imaginative and unique children’s birthday parties, she set out to provide the same types of birthday parties for children who were experiencing homelessness in the Washington metropolitan area.
As a mother, Schinnell knows how important it is for her children to feel confident and have self-worth. After learning that more than 2,000 children live in homeless shelters throughout the Washington D.C. area, Schinnell started the nonprofit, Extra-Ordinary Birthdays, the only organization of its kind in the capital area that throws personalized birthday parties for homeless children to make them feel recognized and valued. Using her party-planning background, Schinnell has thrown more than 1200 birthday parties and currently partners with homeless shelters and organizations that serve the homeless in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Board Of Directors
Babu Jackson is a senior technology executive with more than 20 years of experience leading IT strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and operational excellence. He has built a career helping organizations modernize systems, improve efficiency, and use technology as a strategic advantage. His leadership experience spans governance, innovation, data strategy, and cross-functional team development.
“I serve on the board because every child deserves to feel celebrated, valued, and seen, especially during difficult seasons of life. A birthday may seem simple, but for a child experiencing homelessness, it can be a powerful reminder that they matter. Supporting this mission allows me to help create joy, dignity, and hope where it is needed most.”
TaNesha is experienced in facilities management and office management, supporting daily operations across government, commercial, and nonprofit environments. Skilled in coordinating maintenance, managing vendors and contracts, and ensuring organized, efficient workplace operations.
“As a former family served by EOB, I am driven to help spread the same joy my family and others experienced during those special celebrations each month. In the midst of daily hardships, those moments—playing games like Mario Bingo and singing Happy Birthday—gave us lasting memories and a sense of happiness and connection. My family’s experience is a testament to the meaningful impact EOB has on the children and families it serves.”
Trenna Allen is a Pre-Sales Solutions Consulting Director at ServiceNow, helping nonprofit organizations modernize operations to better serve constituents and communities. With a background with over 20 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and a career spanning Gannett Company, Oracle, and ServiceNow, she blends financial expertise with technology leadership. Trenna leads teams that partner with nonprofits to align digital workflows and emerging technologies to improve service delivery and drive mission-focused outcomes.
Aisha is the founder of Aidiate Inc., a management consulting firm helping organizations unlock their potential through customized strategy and operations solutions. With more than 20 years of experience, she designs the operational and governance infrastructure that allows mission-driven organizations to grow without losing their soul. She currently serves as Board Chair of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and leads governance transformation work for organizations navigating institutional change. At Extra-Ordinary Birthdays, she wants to draw on that expertise to help strengthen the systems, partnerships, and program design that ensure every child served feels seen, celebrated, and remembered — not just on their birthday, but in how the organization shows up for them year after year. Her belief is simple: childhood only happens once, and the children EOB serves deserve infrastructure as intentional and loving as the experiences themselves.
“I serve because I believe every child deserves to feel wonder, safety, and belonging — not as a reward for stability, but as a birthright. Also, EOB is more than a worthy cause, and I want to do whatever I can to help get some residual funding.”
LeNesha is a seasoned human capital leader with over 25 years of experience driving organizational effectiveness, systems development, and equity-centered leadership across nonprofit and community-based organizations. My work spans human resources, program management, and advocacy, with a strong focus on supporting underserved populations and strengthening operational infrastructure.
“I serve on the board because I believe every child deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and valued regardless of their circumstances. Extra-Ordinary Birthdays creates meaningful moments of joy for children experiencing homelessness, and that kind of intentional care has a lasting impact far beyond the day itself. I am honored to contribute to an organization that centers dignity and childhood experiences in such a powerful way.”
Katedra is a licensed clinical social worker with experience in aging, foster care and mental health services, community engagement, and program coordination. My work focuses on improving quality of life by connecting individuals and families to critical resources and supportive services. I am passionate about building strong, resilient communities through collaboration and compassionate care.
“I serve on the board of Extra-Ordinary Birthdays because every child deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and valued—especially during difficult circumstances. This organization creates moments of joy that can have a lasting emotional impact on children experiencing homelessness. Being part of that mission allows me to contribute to something meaningful that brings hope and dignity to families.”
Naleli is an experienced events and client services professional with over 15 years of expertise spanning corporate events, nonprofit fundraisers, and luxury experiences. My work focuses on strategic planning, logistics, and stakeholder engagement to deliver impactful, mission-driven experiences. I have a strong track record of building relationships and executing high-quality events that align with organizational goals.
“I am drawn to Extra-Ordinary Birthdays because of its commitment to bringing joy and dignity to children experiencing homelessness. Creating meaningful experiences has always been at the core of my work, and I believe every child deserves to feel celebrated and seen. Serving on the board allows me to apply my professional expertise to a mission that creates lasting emotional impact.”
Honorary Board Members
Shawn Yancy is an Emmy & Edward R. Murrow award winning broadcast journalist and evening news anchor at NBC4 in Washington, DC. Prior to joining NBC4, Shawn spent nearly 2 decades as a primary news anchor at WTTG-TV. Her career journey also includes stops at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh and WKJG-TV in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Shawn is the founder and CEO of Girls’ Night Out by Shawn Yancy Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of economically vulnerable women & children.
Shawn previously served on the board of directors for A Wider Circle, Dress For Success DC and The St. Ann’s Center for Children Youth & Families. Along with her fellow DC newswomen, Shawn helps spearhead an annual breast cancer fundraiser for local cancer charities serving the underserved.
Shawn is also a professional artist and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
She and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, a daughter in law, 2 dogs and live in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Her favorite saying is: “If the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count”. It’s a phrase her mother has been instilling in her for as long as she can remember. It’s a reminder that all things are possible with God’s help.
Allison Seymour is an Emmy award-winning anchor who has been waking up viewers on morning news in her hometown of Washington, D.C., since 1999. With a career spanning over two decades, Allison has become a trusted voice in news, consistently delivering accurate and compelling stories that resonate with viewers.
Allison’s journey in journalism began with a strong educational foundation, earning her degree from Hampton University and furthering her studies at the University of South Carolina.
Allison has always been a supporter of Extra-Ordinary Birthdays since EOB was featured on her news segment. She continued her support joining Shawn Yancy at our community event Hope for Kids. As an honorary board member, she continues to be a beacon of hope and for standing with us in our mission to support homeless children and their families.
Beyond her professional achievements, Allison Seymour is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She has actively participated in numerous charitable initiatives, leveraging her platform to raise awareness and support for various causes. Her involvement in programs focused on education, homelessness, and youth empowerment has made a significant impact, inspiring others to contribute to the betterment of their communities.