Board of Directors
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Governance
Karrington’s Place is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors composed of professionals, educators, community advocates, and leaders who share a commitment to empowering youth and strengthening families. The Board provides strategic guidance, financial oversight, and governance support to ensure the organization fulfills its mission of creating safe and supportive environments where young people can thrive.
Mrs. Tanikka Thrasher
Founder & President C.E.O.
Mrs. Tanikka Thrasher is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Karrington’s Place and a passionate advocate for children, youth, and families. For more than two decades, she has dedicated her life to serving children and supporting families through mentorship, education, and community-based services. Her work has always centered on one powerful belief: that every child deserves a safe environment, strong guidance, and the opportunity to succeed.
Mrs. Thrasher holds advanced academic credentials in public administration, secondary education, and criminal justice and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Administration of Justice. Her academic research focuses on youth development, justice systems, community resilience, and strengthening systems designed to support vulnerable populations.
Beyond her academic and research work, Mrs. Thrasher is also an accomplished entrepreneur and community leader. For more than twenty-three years she has owned and operated a childcare center dedicated to providing children with safe, nurturing, and developmentally supportive environments. Through her leadership she has helped countless families by ensuring children receive quality care, guidance, and opportunities for growth.
Mrs. Thrasher is also an author whose work reflects her passion for empowerment, resilience, and personal growth. Through both her writing and community advocacy she encourages individuals to recognize their strength, value, and potential.
As the founder of Karrington’s Place, Mrs. Thrasher serves as a powerful voice for youth who often feel unheard or overlooked. She believes strongly in standing in the gap for children who need guidance, advocacy, and support. Her mission is to bridge the gaps that often exist between vulnerable youth, families, community resources, and systems meant to support them. Through mentorship, structure, education, and opportunity she is committed to helping young people build brighter futures and stronger communities.
Jonathan Frank, Esq.
Chairman & General Counsel
Jonathan Frank, Esq. is an experienced attorney who brings valuable legal knowledge and strategic insight to the Board of Directors at Karrington’s Place. As a criminal attorney, Mr. Frank has worked closely within the criminal justice system and has seen firsthand the challenges that many young people face when they become involved in legal systems.
His experience provides him with a unique perspective on both sides of the justice system and has strengthened his commitment to helping guide youth toward positive life paths. Mr. Frank understands the importance of early intervention, mentorship, and strong community support in helping young people avoid negative outcomes.
Through his service on the board, Mr. Frank supports the mission of Karrington’s Place by helping ensure strong organizational leadership while working to support initiatives that structure, mentor, and empower youth.
Renel Thrasher
Vice President
Renel Thrasher is dedicated to supporting youth development and strengthening families through education and community engagement. He is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development, demonstrating his commitment to understanding the developmental needs of young children and the importance of strong early learning environments.
Through his academic pursuits and community involvement, Mr. Thrasher contributes insight into early childhood education and youth support systems. As a member of the Board of Directors he is passionate about helping create environments where young people can grow, learn, and develop the skills necessary for long-term success.
Sheila Taylor, MBA
Treasurer
Sheila Taylor serves as Treasurer for Karrington’s Place and provides strong financial leadership and strategic guidance to the organization. With a Master of Business Administration and extensive experience in financial management and organizational planning, Ms. Taylor plays a key role in helping guide the financial stability and sustainability of the organization.
Her commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible financial stewardship helps ensure that Karrington’s Place continues to grow while maintaining strong operational integrity.
Wayne Anderson
Community Advisor
Wayne Anderson brings leadership, community insight, and strategic perspective to the Board of Directors at Karrington’s Place. He is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and create opportunities for youth development.
Through his involvement with the organization, Mr. Anderson contributes to strategic planning and community partnerships that help advance the mission of empowering young people and supporting families.
Treynea Griffin
Director of Community Partnerships
Treynea Griffin is passionate about youth empowerment and community development. She believes strongly in the importance of mentorship, opportunity, and positive guidance for young people.
As a member of the Board of Directors, Ms. Griffin contributes her leadership and dedication to helping expand programs and initiatives that provide youth with the structure, resources, and support needed to succeed.
Michelle Walker
Secretary of the Board
Michelle Walker is a dedicated community advocate who is passionate about supporting youth and strengthening families. She believes strongly in creating opportunities that allow young people to grow, develop confidence, and build positive futures.
Through her involvement with Karrington’s Place, Ms. Walker contributes valuable support to the organization’s mission of empowering youth, supporting families, and strengthening communities.
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Dr. Geraldine (Geri) Doucet
Director of Youth Development & Programming
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice Educator | Criminal Justice Consultant
Dr. Geraldine “Geri” Doucet is a distinguished criminal justice educator, consultant, and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With a career that bridges both academic excellence and extensive practical experience, Dr. Doucet brings a wealth of knowledge in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and correctional systems.
Before transitioning into academia, Dr. Doucet built a strong professional foundation through years of hands-on experience in the criminal and juvenile justice fields, serving in various impactful roles. Her real-world expertise informs her teaching, research, and consulting, allowing her to provide students and organizations with practical, evidence-based insights.
Dr. Doucet has taught at several respected institutions, including Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Lone Star College–North Harris, Jarvis Christian College, Southern University at New Orleans, and Delgado Community College. Her diverse academic background reflects a commitment to educating and mentoring future leaders in the criminal justice field.
Her areas of expertise include juvenile justice and delinquency, criminology and penology, corrections (including probation and parole), correctional counseling and psychology, substance abuse, and research methods. She is especially passionate about addressing the needs of vulnerable and special populations within the justice system.
Dr. Doucet is also a published author and researcher with multiple scholarly journal articles and books to her credit. Her recent works include Behind the Bars: Understanding Correctional Offenders and Special Needs Population (2026), Reimagining Justice: The Power of Community-Based Corrections (2025), and Hope in the Face of Prisonization (2020). Her research has been featured in respected academic journals, focusing on topics such as inmate health, mentoring relationships in higher education, and crime theory in international contexts.
Through her teaching, research, and publications, Dr. Doucet continues to make meaningful contributions to the field of criminal justice while inspiring the next generation of professionals dedicated to justice, reform, and community impact.