Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.

Meet our Team

David Hernandez Jr.

COO

Executive Bio: David Hernandez

Chief Operating Officer & Board Member, Guiding Light of Hope

David Hernandez is a strategic leader and dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Board Member of Guiding Light of Hope. In this dual capacity, he oversees operational leadership, strategic direction, and program development, ensuring the organization delivers on its mission to provide hope and dignity to underserved populations.

David’s professional philosophy is rooted in a trauma-informed approach, developed through years of direct care in juvenile residential facilities and community-based programs. Having witnessed the systemic effects of poverty and limited resources during his upbringing in Philadelphia and New Britain, he has dedicated his career to bridging those gaps. He specializes in creating environments that foster healing and accountability, helping at-risk youth and families transition from hardship toward long-term success.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology David combines clinical insight with high-level operational management. Above all, his work is inspired by his role as a father; his commitment to building stronger families and safer communities is driven by the desire to secure a brighter future for the next generation.

Professional History

Guiding Light of Hope
Chief Operating Officer & Board Member | 2023 – Present

Operational Leadership: Directs daily operations and organizational scaling to maximize community impact.
Strategic Oversight: Collaborates with the Board to set long-term goals and ensure programmatic alignment with the mission of poverty relief and social justice.
Program Development: Leads the design of comprehensive support initiatives, including mental health resources and family empowerment services.

Youth & Behavioral Health Specialist
Direct Care & Mentorship | 2023 – Present

Juvenile Justice Advocacy: Supports at-risk youth within residential facilities, implementing behavioral therapy services and accountability frameworks.
Community Outreach: Facilitates community-based programs focused on mentorship and direct care for families navigating systemic inequity.
Clinical Implementation: Utilizes a trauma-informed lens to provide counseling and therapy, prioritizing the emotional and psychological security of program participants.
Staff Training: A short-term, task-oriented process focused on immediate job requirements. It aims to provide the specific technical or functional skills needed for an employee to perform their current role effectively and safely.
Staff Development: A long-term, future-oriented process focused on an employee's overall career growth. It prepares individuals for future responsibilities and leadership roles by fostering broader competencies like strategic thinking and interpersonal skills.

Education & Certifications

Bachelors in Clinical Psychology | University of Central Florida (2023)
Clinical Specializations: Trauma-Informed Care, Behavioral Therapy, Juvenile Justice Direct Care.

Keisha Bush

Board Director of Operations

Executive Bio: Keisha Bush

Crisis Management & Rehabilitation

Keisha Bush is a dedicated Youth Development Specialist with a profound commitment to systemic reform and social advocacy. With over seven years of frontline experience at the Department of Juvenile Justice, Keisha has become a pivotal voice in disrupting generational cycles and fostering resilience within at-risk populations. Driven by a mission to secure equitable futures for the next generation, she leverages her deep institutional knowledge to provide high-impact mentorship and rehabilitative support. Keisha is recognized for her ability to build authentic rapport with youth of all ages, transforming lived experience and professional tenacity into a powerful catalyst for community change.

Professional Experience

Department of Juvenile Justice | Youth Support & Advocacy Specialist | 2019 – Present

Systemic Intervention: Spearheads initiatives aimed at breaking generational cycles of incarceration by implementing trauma-informed mentorship programs for youth of all ages.
Youth Advocacy: Acts as a primary advocate for residents, ensuring access to essential educational and personal development resources to improve post-release outcomes.
Crisis Management & Rehabilitation: Utilizes seven years of specialized field experience to de-escalate high-pressure situations and facilitate behavioral rehabilitation in a complex institutional environment.
Future-Ready Coaching: Mentors youth in life-skills development, focusing on long-term goal setting and the cultivation of a positive, self-sufficient future.
Collaborative Leadership: Partners with multidisciplinary teams and community stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to youth welfare and systemic reform.

Core Competencies

Youth Mentorship & Behavioral Rehabilitation
Crisis Intervention & De-escalation
Trauma-Informed Care
Systemic Advocacy & Social Impact
Strategic Case Management

Mack Gordon

Board Director of Education

Executive Bio: Mack Gordon

Strategic Leader in Youth Development & Behavioral Health

Mack Gordon is a seasoned professional at the intersection of education and behavioral health, specializing in identifying and bridging the systemic gaps that hinder youth development. His career is built on the core philosophy that stability is the primary catalyst for behavioral and academic growth. By designing safe, supportive spaces tailored to those whom traditional systems often overlook, Max transforms high-risk environments into resilient foundations for success.

Driven by a deeply personal commitment to youth advocacy, Max’s mission is to deliver the security and strategic support necessary for the next generation to thrive. He leverages a unique blend of frontline experience and clinical insight to build frameworks where young people feel truly seen, supported, and hopeful about their future.

Max holds a BA in Psychology from Concordia University St. Paul, an education that serves as the clinical and theoretical bedrock for his impact-driven work in behavioral health and educational reform.

Professional Experience

Strategic Youth Specialist & Behavioral Health Consultant

Gap Identification: Diagnoses and addresses institutional shortcomings in traditional education and health systems to ensure no young person falls through the cracks.
Environment Design: Leads the creation of "safe-haven" frameworks that prioritize psychological safety and emotional stability as precursors to learning.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Bridges communication between educators, health professionals, and families to provide a 360-degree support network for youth.

Education & Youth Advocacy Lead

Systemic Advocacy: Spent years working directly with young people requiring intensive support beyond standard institutional offerings.
Program Development: Developed tailored interventions for youth in high-risk environments, focusing on long-term behavioral stability.
Stability Frameworks: Implemented successful strategies that transformed chaotic environments into structured, supportive spaces conducive to growth.

Behavioral Health Practitioner

Frontline Support: Provided direct behavioral health services, utilizing a trauma-informed lens to foster security and trust.
Outcome Management: Tracked and analyzed youth progress to refine support strategies and ensure measurable improvements in stability and hopefulness.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | Concordia University St. Paul

From modest beginnings, we've grown through unwavering dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Each step has reinforced our core belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of integrity. We're passionate about what we do, and we're excited to share our story with you.