Our Team

Dr. Calvin Mackie is an award winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor, internationally renowned speaker and successful entrepreneur. Dr. Mackie is the founder of STEM NOLA, a non-profit organization founded to expose, inspire and engage communities about the opportunities in STEM. In 9 years, STEM NOLA has engaged more than 125,000 mostly low-income low-resourced K-12 students in hands-on project based STEM activities in New Orleans communities.

Mackie graduated from Morehouse College earning a BS in Mathematics in 1990 and was simultaneously awarded a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, where he subsequently earned his Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. He served on the engineering faculty at Tulane University for 12 years. Mackie has won numerous awards including the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in a White House ceremony and currently serves on the Louisiana STEM (LA-STEM) advisory council.

Tracy Mackie is a native of New Orleans and a 1993 graduate of Xavier University College of Pharmacy.  Over the past 28 years, she has worked at various retail chains such as Carr Drugs, Eckerd’s Pharmacy, K&B, Winn Dixie Pharmacy and Children’s Hospital‘s outpatient Pharmacy. After more than ten years spent working as a pharmacy manager, Tracy maintains her license, but her career path has changed. Currently she serves as property manager of Channel Zero Investments (CZI) LLC where she manages a portfolio of residential properties in the New Orleans Metro Area and Natchez, MS. She is the Co-Founder of STEM NOLA along with her Husband Calvin Mackie. The two started the organization after seeing the need for more engaging, hands-on STEM activities for children in underserved communities. Tracy currently serves as Client Support Manager for STEM NOLA where she works to ensure the effective implementation, transition and growth of the non-profit’s programming.

Lawrence Jackson is the Special Assistant to the CEO at STEM NOLA where he coordinates and oversees daily operations of the organization to support the overall mission. Prior to joining STEM NOLA in January 2020, Jackson was a Math and Science Master Teacher at a New Orleans-area high school. He has been a dedicated STEM educational leader and has experience as a teacher, departmental leader, and member of core administrative teams. A graduate of McDonogh 35 Sr. High School, Jackson attended Xavier University of LA where he earned a BS in Pharmacy and Walden University where he earned a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Technology.

Tyra Metoyer is a highly skilled, results-oriented people and culture leader, and communications executive with nearly 30 years of experience. Her remarkable ability to understand and solve complex problems has equipped her to become adept at strategic partnerships, executive coaching, internal and executive communications, learning and development, employee engagement and advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion in complex, dynamic industries. As a connector who enjoys bringing order to chaos, Tyra’s competencies, coupled with her business acumen honed across several industries uniquely qualify her to help organizations identify and address their most urgent people challenges. She serves as Chief Transformation Officer for STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University, and is ABD in the PhD program at Texas A&M University. Tyra is a Senior Fellow and former board member of the American Leadership Forum (ALF) and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also a founding board member of National Urban League Young Professionals and very active in her community as a member of several national scholarship review boards and a trustee of her local church. 

Leslie M. Taylor is an accounting professional with more than 30 years experience in Accounting and Tax. Leslie specializes in establishing optimal accounting processes/procedures and efficient tax structures for small to medium size businesses. His current practice includes a range of individuals, Non- Profits, Limited Liability Companies, partnerships, S-Corporations and C-Corporations. Prior to starting his accounting practice, Leslie spent over 18 years in corporate America. Leslie’s corporate experience included roles as Finance Manager, Controller and Assistant Head of Accounting Policy with BP International and BP America. In his latest corporate roles, Leslie worked in the company’s corporate offices in London and in Houston. He was instrumental in implementing the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), soon to converge with the existing Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP) in the US. Additionally, Leslie established accounting processes and procedures for several of the company’s alternative energy businesses. Leslie is a graduate of McDonogh 35 high school c/o ’85 and Dillard University c/o 89. He is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Inc. fraternity. He received his CPA license in 1994 and is duly licensed to practice in Texas and Louisiana.

Jim Pittman, a proud native of New Orleans and alumni of Holy Cross High School, serves as Chief Communications Officer for STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action. With a B.A. in Communications from the University of New Orleans, where he interned in broadcast news at WDSU-TV, Jim leverages his extensive experience in marketing and communications to drive the brand, awareness, and demand generation for STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action. His career spans marcom leadership roles in healthcare, managed care, pharmaceuticals, and non-profits, including positions such as Director of Medicare Advantage Communications for Ochsner Health, Executive Director of Orleans Parish Medical Society, Marketing Director for Peoples Health, and Director of Marketing Communications for the original Ochsner Health Plan

Currently, Jim volunteers as Board Chair for the Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter and as an Advocate for the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM). His efforts have significantly impacted public health, including helping the Smoking Cessation Trust enroll over 126,000 smokers in Louisiana over a decade. Additionally, Jim has served on the Board for Louisiana Special Olympics. Jim now leads integrated marketing communications strategies to enhance the mission of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, grades K-12, through STEM-based activities.

Yvette is the Intern & Volunteer Manager for STEM NOLA where she is tasked with recruiting college students, interns and volunteers, who are paramount to the mission of STEM NOLA.  Yvette attended McDonogh 35 High School and Southern University of New Orleans, where she majored in Secondary Education. Prior to coming aboard as a full time STEM NOLA employee, Yvette served as a STEM NOLA volunteer for more than eight years and fell in love with the organization so much that she officially joined the team in March 2022. Yvette worked in higher education for twenty years before coming to STEM NOLA.

Adam Nunn serves as Programs Manager where he oversees the planning, logistics, and execution of all STEM NOLA events to ensure consistent production for students, parents, sponsors, and vendors. Nunn is a native New Orleanian with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of West Florida and a decade of experience as an educator and administrator in New Orleans public schools. His work with students in STEM is buttressed by the belief that education is the bedrock of a civically active populace. 

Keivondra Collins is the Production Manager for STEM NOLA and is in charge of day to day operations and kit production of STEM kits for STEM Saturdays, STEM Fest, Summer Camps and other events. Prior to STEM NOLA in fall 2019, she worked as a Marketing Assistant, designing and collaborating on online and print ad campaigns. Collins also freelanced as a Graphic Designer and book illustrator. She is a graduate of Dillard University with a BS in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing, and she studied for a MS in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of New Orleans.  

Brett Rosenbach is STEM NOLA’s Video Production Manager and oversees all video production for the non-profit’s internal and external platforms. He is a video production professional with more than 15 years of experience in videography, producing and editing. Prior to joining STEM NOLA as videographer in November 2020, Rosenbach was the video designer for an entertainment company where he managed internal video production. He earned an Associate of Arts in Television Production from Delgado Community College and Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from the University of New Orleans.

Kevin Perrilliat serves as the Creative Services Manager with STEM NOLA. He graduated from the University of LA-Monroe with a BFA in Graphic Design. He is an experienced designer, who is also skilled in photography & videography. Prior to joining STEM NOLA, he served as a Senior Graphic Designer for a printing company in New Orleans.  Kevin believes in what STEM NOLA stands for and the impact that it brings to so many communities. He joined to be a part of something great and help bring STEM NOLA’s grand vision to life.