Instructors
Victoria Mahand, MSW
Director of Training, Master Trainer
Victoria is a trainer, facilitator, and leadership coach who delivers high-energy presentations that engage audiences in a paradigm shift to improve qualitative and quantitative outcomes, organizational change, and learning development. Victoria is described as transformative, professional, and inspiring and her career expands over several industries including education and training, human services, and automotive.
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In 2023, she was hired to work with the top automaker on Fortune 500 (FORD) because of her leadership, facilitation and training skills which help clients learn strategies they need to succeed no matter the industry. Victoria earned her master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She was designated as a Certified Personal and Executive Coach from The Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute (The CaPP Institute) in 2018. Prior to that she was a Program Director for the Center for Family Services where she facilitated and supervised the Girls Circle® program in addition to supervising the implementation of modalities including Structural Family Therapy, Multi-Systemic Therapy, and sex offender treatment. She also worked with the New Jersey Superior Court, probation, and schools to implement prevention and intervention services for children and their families.
Her strong background in adult learning and development, training delivery, and professional speaking are her most valuable talent and skills.
Fun facts: In 2021 Victoria skydived from 14,5000 feet with her son and daughter. She considers herself an unofficial “so you think you can dance” winner and an adventurous foodie.
Her strong background in adult learning and development, training delivery, and professional speaking are her most valuable talent and skills.
Fun facts: In 2021 Victoria skydived from 14,5000 feet with her son and daughter. She considers herself an unofficial “so you think you can dance” winner and an adventurous foodie.
Elizabeth Morris, MS
Lead Trainer
Liz Morris is Director of the Professional Standards and Development and Director of the Girls Center with Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina at Aiken and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
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Morris served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve prior to dedicating her professional career in service to at-risk youth. Prior to joining Clemson’s Youth Learning Institute, Morris was employed by the SC Department of Corrections, SC Department of Juvenile Justice, and SC Mentor. She is a nationally certified trainer for the One Circle Foundation and is very active in her community, presently serving on the Board of Directors for Christ Central Mission Station, Aiken Family Y and Imani Group. Liz lives in Aiken, South Carolina with her husband, Daniel and their three children.
Daniel Bland, LPC
Senior Lead Trainer
Daniel B. Bland has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albertus Magnus College and is currently working on his Masters of Arts degree in Professional Counseling. Currently, he serves as the Program Manager for the Bridgeport United Coalition where he provides program supervision and quality assurance in addition to managing and overseeing federal contract grants. He has served as a certified Council for Boys and Young Men trainer and spokesperson for One Circle Foundation since 2008.
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Daniel Bland has spent most of his career advocating for youth in the areas of management, supervision, and therapeutic group counseling, and mentoring. In addition to his work in the human services and mental health field, to many he is known as a spiritual leader and advisor, serving as Senior Pastor of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church Revival Center in New Haven, CT.
Doreen Thompson
Business Support Coordinator, Lead Trainer
Doreen Thompson has been a certified One Circle Foundation Trainer for over 15 years. She is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College and since 1989 has provided services to children who have been involved in Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice system to include implementing strengths-based, relational programs, gender-specific behavioral motivational programs and services for youth in the Hartford area.
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Throughout her career she has provided oversight and quality assurance to secure juvenile facilities, Alternatives to Detention programs, non-secure residential programs, recreational services, and juvenile community service. Ms. Doreen Thompson loves nature, seeing all the beauty in our country through travel and free time is spent gardening, Doreen resides in Connecticut.
Danielle Sutherland, MFT
Manager of Outreach of Engagement, Trainer
Danielle has always had a passion for teaching, and helping those around her to find success in what they are passionate about. She graduated from Fort Lewis College in Colorado in 2005 with a Bachelors in Fine Art. In 2015 she earned her Masters in Psychology focusing on Marriage and Family Therapy from Cal Southern University.
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Since then she has been working with families and youth as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Resource Specialist, Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator, Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, One Circle Coordinator and Girls Circle® Facilitator. Danielle was trained as a Girls Circle® facilitator in 2017 and has facilitated groups in an elementary, middle and high school setting. When she isn’t helping others, she spends her time homeschooling her son and enjoys woodworking, traveling, and spending as much time as she can in the sun.
Dr. Valerie Ekue, Ed.D.
Trainer
Dr. Valerie Ekue recently joined One Circle Foundation as a contracted Outreach and Consultation Specialist. She is responsible for outreach, marketing and consulting in South Carolina. Dr. Ekue completed the Girls Circle® and Boys Council Facilitators trainings and has extensive knowledge related to healthy relationships, prevention and early intervention of dating and interpersonal violence.
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Dr. Ekue also serves as the Director of Member Support and Community Justice for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She provides expert training and technical assistance for 22 member organizations, affiliate members, statewide community partners and allies. Dr. Ekue is passionate about educating service providers and grassroots leaders on the intersections of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking and the impact on marginalized communities. She believes taking an intersectional approach at addressing these and other intersecting issues from a cultural perspective and trauma-informed lens is vital to reducing violence in South Carolina and creating safer communities.
Dr. Ekue is a social justice advocate and serves on the Race Equity and Inclusion Collaborative. She is also a collaborative partner with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils in S.C, Workforce Collaborative, South Carolina’s Citizen’s Review Panel on Domestic Violence, and Richland County Fatality Review Team. Dr. Ekue chairs the Women Empowerment Network, USC’s Women and Gender Studies Council and oversees the South Carolina Department of Social Services Liaison Project. She also serves as the project manager for the communities of color engagement initiative and completed a case study titled: Centering African American Experiences with Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Assault. Dr. Ekue works with the South Carolina Youth Advocacy Program as a behavioral specialist for youths with complex trauma histories and other identified behavioral or emotional disorders. She also conducted several communities of color listening sessions throughout the four regions of South Carolina and worked closely with the Washington’s Coalition Ujima project to bring listening sessions to Columbia in an effort to better understand black culture and identify the intersecting needs and concerns of African Americans throughout South Carolina.
Dr. Ekue is a social justice advocate and serves on the Race Equity and Inclusion Collaborative. She is also a collaborative partner with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils in S.C, Workforce Collaborative, South Carolina’s Citizen’s Review Panel on Domestic Violence, and Richland County Fatality Review Team. Dr. Ekue chairs the Women Empowerment Network, USC’s Women and Gender Studies Council and oversees the South Carolina Department of Social Services Liaison Project. She also serves as the project manager for the communities of color engagement initiative and completed a case study titled: Centering African American Experiences with Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Assault. Dr. Ekue works with the South Carolina Youth Advocacy Program as a behavioral specialist for youths with complex trauma histories and other identified behavioral or emotional disorders. She also conducted several communities of color listening sessions throughout the four regions of South Carolina and worked closely with the Washington’s Coalition Ujima project to bring listening sessions to Columbia in an effort to better understand black culture and identify the intersecting needs and concerns of African Americans throughout South Carolina.
Christopher M. Emanuel
Trainer
Christopher M. Emanuel is an enthusiastic and energetic Aiken native. He is also an accomplished Dad Coach, Director for the DJJ Teen After School Center at Second Baptist Church, Radio Host at WNRR Gospel 93.3FM and Executive Director of Sky Is The Limit Foundation. Mr. Emanuel is dedicated to educating, empowering and promoting Responsible Fatherhood and positive youth development.
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His efforts have been highlighted on the Oprah Winfrey Network, The New York Times, The Atlantic Journal, ABC Nightline News, and preserved in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. When he is not volunteering or working, Mr. Emanuel enjoys spending time with his daughter, track and field and travelling. Mr. Emanuel believes that all citizens should do all they can to improve the quality of life in their community.
Michelangelo Lobato, MC
Trainer
Michelangelo Lobato previously worked as a licensed school counselor in the State of New Mexico. He has a Master’s Degree in counseling, and has been working with youth for the past 20 years. Michelangelo teaches One Circle with boys ages 10-19, and is also a Love and Logic and CPI instructor.
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Michelangelo has been married to his lovely wife, Meg, for 16 years, and has three amazing children, James, age 15, Noah, age 13, and Eliana, age 13. Michelangelo is a former professional guitar player and heavy metal singer. His favorite bands are Metallica, Kiss, and Pantera, and his favorite sports team is the Denver Broncos.