Isha is a nationally recognized expert in mental health and interpersonal stress, racial trauma affecting Black youth and families, and culturally responsive care. Her work advances equity-driven, evidence-informed approaches that support the wellbeing and healing of young people and their communities.

At the Character Impact Lab, Dr. Metzger brings deep expertise in culturally responsive practice and youth-informed design to help organizations translate research into action. She partners with teams to strengthen systems, programs, and cultures that center dignity, belonging, and resilience, ensuring character development efforts are grounded in care, equity, and lived experience.

Isha’s favorite character strength: Love. “To me, love means showing up with intention, grace, and compassion by pouring into the people I am in community with. It guides my work as a psychologist and leader by grounding my decisions in respect, curiosity, connection, and a commitment to fostering healing and growth.”

Rosaella brings more than 15 years of experience advancing data integration and analytics across youth development, education, healthcare, and public sectors. Formerly the Chief Data Officer for Chicago’s Cook County Bureau of Technology, she led county-wide data modernization efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability. She has also held leadership roles with Chicago Public Schools, Lurie Children’s Hospital, YMCA of the USA, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. At the Lab, Ms. Branson builds data systems that honor equity, elevate youth voice, and support meaningful measurement of character outcomes.

Rosy’s favorite character strength: Love of Learning - this resonates with me because I genuinely enjoy building knowledge over time and then using what I’ve learned to make things better—whether that’s improving systems, strengthening programs, or supporting people.

Christa is a seasoned leader and facilitator with over two decades of experience advancing gender and racial justice in youth development organizations. She brings deep expertise in gender-inclusive program design, leadership development, and equitable practice. Known for her collaborative style, Christa helps our partner organizations engage stakeholders, strengthen program quality, and sustain character-driven approaches.

Christa’s favorite character strength: Kindness, a quality Christa not only exudes herself, but uses in her facilitation style and encourages in the groups she works with.

Elise is a doctoral candidate in Community Psychology at Georgia State University and a Student Evaluation Associate with Statement House. Her work focuses on character development through mentoring for marginalized youth and families. Elise brings a participatory, trauma-informed approach to data collection and learning, helping translate research into real-world impact and amplifying youth perspectives throughout each project.

Elise’s favorite character strength: Curiosity—it’s a way to see beyond your own experience, inspires learning, and allows us to more deeply connect with others and the world.

Annie is a nonprofit leader and facilitator who helps organizations align vision, resources, and outcomes. Her experience spans strategic planning, program development, and cross-sector collaboration. She brings a trauma-aware approach to facilitation that fosters reflection, shared learning, and clear action steps, helping PYD teams strengthen coordination and shared commitment to character-centered work.

Annie's favorite character strength: Perspective because I think we have so much to learn from each other.

Christyl is a community psychologist and Positive Youth Development scholar dedicated to using data as a tool for care and transformation. Through her character development work at the lab, Dr. Wilson Ebba helps organizations translate values like inclusion, belonging, and healing into measurable practice. Her approach centers curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for lived experience, ensuring that data collection and analysis elevate the voices of youth and communities.

Christyl’s favorite character strength: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. Christyl says this strength “resonates with me because so much of my work, and the way I move through the world, is about noticing, honoring, and amplifying the beauty, wisdom, and strengths that individuals and communities already hold.”

Emily Murillo brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit research, evaluation, and direct service, along with coaching experience supporting purpose-driven teams and families. At the lab, Emily’s work centers on cultivating awareness and connection by creating space for reflection, listening, and intentional growth. She holds a deep belief that character and purpose are shaped through relationships and practice, and loves creating thoughtful curricula and meaningful, facilitated experiences that invite people to learn together, reflect deeply, and grow - especially within families, teams, and communities.

Emily’s favorite character strength: Meaning-Making. Emily says, “To me, meaning-making means moving through life with thoughtfulness and curiosity, making sense of experiences through reflection and learning, and allowing that to shape a deeper sense of purpose.”

Jordan is a doctoral student in Community Psychology at Georgia State University and a Student Evaluation Associate with Statement House. Jordan’s work reflects a deep commitment to character development. She examines how skills like perseverance, curiosity, and self-direction influence academic pathways and community wellbeing for students in STEM fields. In her work at the lab, Jordan brings a thoughtful, data-informed approach that supports organizations in strengthening environments where young people can thrive with confidence and purpose.

Jordan’s favorite character strength: Forgiveness. Jordan says, “I believe it can lead to emotional healing, growth, and wellness, as well as a time for self-reflection and empathy-building.”

Melina Bixler has dedicated more than 15 years to helping mission-driven organizations design programs and experiences that nurture courage, confidence, and character in young people. She has led initiatives in out-of-school-time learning, leadership development, and organizational culture across the U.S. and abroad. At the Character Impact Lab, Melina helps organizations bridge values and practice, designing programs that inspire young people not only to believe in their potential, but to act on it with heart and integrity.

Melina’s favorite character strength: Creativity. Melina likes to say that she brings a fresh perspective to both challenges and opportunities and believes creativity is a form of courage.