GRO Community Board Portal

Governance.
Collaboration.
Impact.

The GRO Community Board of Directors operates through this secure digital boardroom — where we manage our documents, make decisions, and drive the mission forward together.

Board Member Login

Board members only

Meet the Board

Meet our leadership below

GRO Community Team
7Locations Across IL & OH
501(c)(3)Nonprofit Organization
Ages 5+Boys & Men Served
AccreditedJoint Commission Certified
Leadership

Meet the Board

The dedicated leaders guiding GRO Community's mission, strategy, and impact.

Aaron Mallory

Aaron Mallory, LCSW

Managing Member

President & CEO of GRO Holdings, Inc.

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Aaron Mallory

Aaron Mallory, LCSW

Managing Member

President & CEO of GRO Holdings, Inc.

Aaron Mallory is the founder of GRO Community, founded to assist males, particularly males of color, that are often misunderstood and outcasted within our society. Aaron has over ten years in the field, working with specifically African American males with diverse behavior challenges. Aaron has provided direct service work at UCAN within their transitional living shelter for young adult males, HRDI as a child and adolescent therapist, and Youth Advocate as an advocate. Aaron has served in leadership roles at HRDI as the Clinical Supervisor within the Child and Adolescent Department and Clinical Director at Heartland Alliance, READI initiative.

Aaron obtained his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Aaron is also a licensed clinical social worker under the state of Illinois regulatory board.

Bryan D. Evans, Sr., M.B.A.

Bryan D. Evans, Sr., M.B.A.

Chairman of the Board

President & CEO of Solvent Services

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Bryan D. Evans, Sr., M.B.A.

Bryan D. Evans, Sr., M.B.A.

Chairman of the Board

President & CEO of Solvent Services

Bryan D. Evans, Sr. is a visionary leader, pastor, educator, and community advocate with a passion for helping people, families, and organizations grow with purpose. His career reflects a deep commitment to leadership development, community empowerment, and transformational service, shaped by years of experience in ministry, teaching, mentorship, and organizational leadership.

As President and CEO of Solvent Services, Inc. and Pastor of Soul Anchor Church in Kokomo, Indiana, Bryan D. Evans, Sr. has dedicated his leadership to strengthening people, organizations, and communities. Through his work, he has championed initiatives centered on personal development, faith formation, youth empowerment, and leadership cultivation, creating environments where individuals are inspired, equipped, and empowered to flourish.

Known for his ability to connect vision with action, Bryan brings a thoughtful and people-centered approach to service. His experience in guiding mission-driven work, mentoring leaders, and fostering meaningful community impact reflects the kind of wisdom, compassion, and strategic perspective that supports strong organizational leadership.

At the heart of Bryan’s work is a simple but powerful belief: when people are strengthened, communities are transformed. That conviction continues to shape his service, his leadership, and his commitment to creating lasting impact wherever he is called to serve.

Dr. Cozette Roper

Dr. Cozette Roper, LCSW, Ed.D.

Secretary

Clinical School Social Worker of Chicago Public Schools

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Dr. Cozette Roper

Dr. Cozette Roper, LCSW, Ed.D.

Secretary

Clinical School Social Worker of Chicago Public Schools

Compassionate and results-driven social work professional with an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Extensive experience supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Skilled in individual counseling, group facilitation, program coordination, and clinical supervision.

Shaun Shelton

Shaun Shelton

Treasurer

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Shaun Shelton

Shaun Shelton

Treasurer

Maleshia Neugebauer, M.S.W.

Maleshia Neugebauer, M.S.W.

Board Member

Mental Health Therapist of Authentically New LLC

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Maleshia Neugebauer, M.S.W.

Maleshia Neugebauer, M.S.W.

Board Member

Mental Health Therapist of Authentically New LLC

With over 20 years of experience, I am a culturally competent and empathetic leader who excels at identifying the intersections between national social policies and their localized impact.

I have Masters of Business Administration with a concentration on healthcare administration previously working as a health equity/population health strategic leader. As a macro-level social worker, I am the CEO/Founder of Authentically New LLC which specializes in an authentic, new approach in strategic planning and funding for profit and nonprofit community engagement leaders.

I have a Masters of Social Work. As a micro-level social worker, I specialize in creating culturally competent and supportive mental health spaces for BIPOC individuals. I work in a private practice and I am a contracted clinical supervisor for mental health providers with expertise in serving minority communities with lived-in experience as a person of color.

Additionally, I am a Board-Certified Nonprofit Member who acted as a consultant for the United Way Black Empowerment Nonprofits, providing education and training on strategic planning and community building.

Statement of belief - The phrase "it could have been me" reflects on a past possibility that did not materialize. It can express sadness over a missed opportunity or relief that something negative did not occur. Our life choices often hinge on this simple phrase, and we find ourselves contemplating it in moments of quiet reflection.

Mark Buford

Mark Buford

Board Member

Managing Partner of Intentrify Urban Development

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Mark Buford

Mark Buford

Board Member

Managing Partner of Intentrify Urban Development

I'm Managing Partner with Intentrify Urban Development in my role I lead the vision, capital strategy, and execution of equitable, community-focused real estate development projects. I am a friend, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, real estate developer, and creative at heart someone who believes deeply in legacy, responsibility, and the power of transformation. My life’s work has been rooted in building whether that’s communities, opportunities, or connecting pathways for others to grow. I love sports, and traveling domestically and abroad.
Professionally, I have spent decades in real estate, finance, and development
At my core, I like to think that am a builder and connector of people and possibility.
As a father and grandfather, I understand that everything we create today should make life better for the generations that follow.
As a poet, I see the world through a lens of reflection, truth, purpose and transformation.
I am committed to doing work that matters work that bridges gaps, restores communities, and sets a new standard of excellence grounded in integrity, equity, and long term impact.

Shannon Laoye

Shannon Laoye, J.D.

Board Member

Attorney

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Shannon Laoye

Shannon Laoye, J.D.

Board Member

Attorney

Passionate about making a life-changing mpact.

Social science-based, business admin and published research attorney by day; philanthropic legal advisor by night.

How We Govern

Built by GRO, for GRO

This platform was designed specifically for the GRO Community Board of Directors — every feature reflects how we work, collaborate, and lead.

Secure by Design

Encrypted document storage with role-based access. Only authorized board members can view sensitive materials.

Meeting Management

Schedule meetings, build agendas, track attendance, and generate board packs — all from one place.

Transparent Decisions

Every vote, resolution, and approval is recorded with a complete audit trail for full accountability.

Real-Time Collaboration

Annotate documents, discuss agenda items, and communicate securely between meetings.

AI-Assisted Minutes

Automated transcription and smart summaries so our board can focus on discussion, not note-taking.

Action Tracking

Assign tasks after meetings, set deadlines, and receive automated reminders until every action is complete.

Access Anywhere

Review materials from any device — desktop, tablet, or phone — even offline while traveling.

Full Compliance

Every action logged automatically. Complete audit trails for organizational accountability and regulatory standards.

Our Process

From Agenda to Action

How the GRO Community board moves from preparation to execution — every meeting, every decision.

1

Prepare

Agendas are posted, supporting documents attached, and board packs assembled before every meeting.

2

Meet

We convene with real-time notes, attendance tracking, and AI-assisted transcription capturing every detail.

3

Decide

Motions are presented, votes are cast securely, and resolutions are approved with full transparency.

4

Execute

Action items are assigned, deadlines set, and automated reminders ensure every decision becomes reality.

Serving Our Community Together

The GRO Community Board of Directors is committed to transparency, accountability, and advancing our mission to transform lives across the communities we serve.

Need access? Contact the board administrator.