The TRS Team

Patience Kodua
Founder/CEO Patience Kodua is an elementary school teacher who believes all children have the potential to learn if provided with the right literacy support. Patience acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Art and Visual Communication from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design in the United Kingdom, a teaching certificate from University of Georgia, a Masters Degree in Curriculum Design from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix Arizona, and an Education Specialist degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Prior to teaching children, she taught English at an Adult Education Institute in Berlin, Germany (Volkshochshule). She spent fourteen years in Britain before moving to Germany. Patience is a wife, and mother to two hardworking, well-grounded young adults. She is a passionate tennis player who is active within the Atlanta tennis community, and also in tennis communities within Accra-Ghana (where she refers to as ‘home’). Her other passions include reading, writing, sewing, traveling, and devoting time to support other local non-profit organizations.
Syde Abena Birikorang
Administrator/Manager
Reading is fundamental! Growing up in the South Bronx, reading was my escape. I was not allowed to watch television or waste time idling. That rule comes with having strict African parents. I would escape into dreamland living, traveling acrossseas...experiencing cultures and history. My name is Syde Abena Birikorang. I was born in Ghana. My family came to the States when I was 11 years old. At the time I didn’t know how to read nor write the English language. I lived in the rural part of Ghana.There were no educational resources to my recollection to aid in literacy. Fast forward to my arrival in the US, I was thrown (at least that’s how it felt) into a school environment to basically sink or swim. However, with some great individuals and available resources I was able to earn two degrees. A psychology degree and a Masters in the area of Nonprofit Administration. I currently reside in Georgia with my family. It is with gratitude to be able to be a part of an organization that will prevent and aid any child/adult literacy. We may not be able to physically give them money, but the tools that they gain from reading will is worth more than any amount of money we can ever offer.
Landan Ansell
Director
Landan Ansell is a Director in PwC's Forensic Services practice in Atlanta.Mr. Ansell’s experience includes over 12 years assisting clients and their counsel address complex economic, valuation, and forensic accountingissues both in the normal course of business and in the context of disputes, claims, litigation, and investigations.Mr. Ansell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor ofBusiness Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Emory University. He also holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from Georgia State University's College of Law.
Stephanie Martin
A leader who commits to volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty
Stephanie Martin is principal investigator for the American Red Cross Blood Services. She is responsible for process improvements initiatives across the organization’s quality systems which include safe collection, testing, manufacturing, storage and distribution, training and information technology. A North Carolina native and charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in Charlotte, Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology (minor in chemistry) from Winston-Salem State University before joining the American Red Cross in 1990. Stephanie is a current member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc, serving as the treasurer for the Stone Mountain Chapter.Stephanie is also an active member of the American Society of Quality, Atlanta section and currently sits on the board as the Job Exchange Chair. Stephanie is a certified Manager of Quality- Organizational Excellence for the American Society of Quality. Stephanie Martin, a leader who commits to volunteer service, Stephanie is married to Donald Martin Jr. and they have a son, Kingston.
Amy Thompson
Amy has worked for over 34 years in the field of rehabilitation counseling, assisting those with disabilities to obtain suitable employment. She earned a Bachelor of ScienceDegree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Emory University and a Masters of Health Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the Universityof Florida. She holds professional certifications in rehabilitation counseling and case management. Amy is an avid reader and loves to share the reading experience with others.
Shelia Jones
Shelia Jones was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She is as a Public Health Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has 1 son and 3 grandsons- that she loves to spend time with and watch them play baseball. She is a member of the Women's Leadership Council at Gwinnett, Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) Gwinnett Fund Development Committee and Lawrenceville Garden Club. Her passion is volunteering and helping people. As of member of the Lawrenceville Woman’s Club for over 20 years, she has helped raise money and put it back in the local Gwinnett Community. She has volunteered several times at the Hunger to Hope - Feed My Starving Children, Operation Christmas Child and volunteers regularly at the Duluth Hands of Christ Duluth Co-op. She is happy to be a part of The Reading Station and hopes that the program inspires children to have a positive impact in their life and the lives of others. Much more can be accomplished when working together and this is a great team and organization.
Dyan Finnicum
Marketing / Events Manager
Dyan Finnicum, a strong Christian, is married to Christopher. She has 3 stepchildren and 2 grandchildren. She has spent the last 38 years in the mortgage industry. She has a heart for children and animals. For the last 10 years she has served on the leadership team of From Hunger to Hope/ Feed My Starving Children. They host an annual event in GA to pack over 1 million meals for starving children worldwide. She has also spent time volunteering at the local food co-ops; Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse; Habitat for Humanity building homes; Camp Sunshine – a summer camp for children with cancer; Rainbow Village – a housing community for abused women and children; Appalachia Service Project – repairing homes in some of the poorest area of the United States; Out of Darkness – visiting with the street prostitutes in hopes of helping them get off the streets and has served on the Personnel, Finance and Greeting Committees at her church.She is honored to be part of The Reading Station in hopes to help any child learn to read. Her philosophy is that you have to have food for sustenance to learn (From Hunger to Hope/ FMSC). You have to have books to learn (The Reading Station). If you can learn, there is a much greater chance of getting out of poverty and making a life for themselves and their families. No child should have to worry about food or learning. It should be an option for ALL children!
Christopher Finnicum
Web Designer/ Graphic Designer
Christopher, a follower of Jesus, has been married to Dyan for over 5 years. He has been in the Graphics Design/ Printing industry for over a decade. He has a heart for children in their unending pursuit to be educated in less - fortunate parts on the world. He likes to use his creative ability to express his love for God and share it with others. If there is one thing I want to be remembered for when I die, it is that I loved Jesus and loved others.