Our Team
Kiesha Lashley, MBA.
Kiesha Lashley is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JEM Foundation. She grew up in Alief, TX where she lived with her grandparents —the pastor and first lady of a Baptist church. She was raised in a loving home where she was taught the value of service, sacrifice, family, and education.
After graduating from Elisk High School, Kiesha obtained a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. In addition to running a non-profit organization, she works for a Fortune 500 company and has several years of professional experience in corporate compliance and records management.
In 2015, Kiesha was inspired to help others after the loss of her month-old baby John Evan Lashley. John was born with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal disease that impacts premature babies. Kiesha and her family were overwhelmed with grief but stepped out on faith to turn their pain into purpose.
In 2021, Kiesha founded the JEM Foundation and made it her mission to help families and children experiencing hardship and loss. As a mother of three beautiful girls, she understands firsthand the challenges of raising children and the importance of a strong support system.
When Kiesha had her first baby, she was young and inexperienced, and life had dealt her some hard blows. But, with the help of her faith, family, and friends, she persevered. Now that Kiesha, her husband Jarrod, and her three girls are thriving, she wants to uplift families in need. Kiesha and the JEM Foundation serve the Greater Houston Area by providing need-based families with food assistance, personal care items, wellness programs, and free community events.
When Kiesha is not giving back, you can find her spending time with her family, outdoors enjoying nature, or a bike trail, and cooking food for the soul. She admires unique art and beautiful photography.
Jarrod Lashley
Jarrod Lashley is the Founder and Outreach Program Director for the JEM Foundation. He was born in Boston, MA before moving with his grandparents to Barbados where he attended primary school. He later moved to Alief, Texas where he grew up in a Christian home that instilled the importance of always lending a helping hand.
After graduating from Hasting High school, Jarrod obtained his Bachelor’s of Science in Business with a General Management Certificate from the University of Phoenix. In addition to running the Outreach Program at JEM, he works for a reputable financial institution as a data management professional in the real estate department.
Like his loving wife Kiesha, Jarrod was inspired to start the JEM Foundation after the loss of his month-old son, John Evan Lashley. Having grown up in a big family, Jarrod always dreamed of raising a family and working with children.
Jarrod volunteered at the YMCA and later accepted a role working with special needs children. The invaluable experience he gained during his time at the school helped him transition into his current role as Outreach Program Director and mentor.
When Jarrod is not mentoring and supporting youth causes, he is an avid shoe collector. His collection includes sneakers, casual loafers, and much more. He enjoys watching soccer, cricket, basketball, and track and field and never says no to a pick-up game of basketball or weight training with his wife.
Taylor Addison, M.Ed.
Taylor Addison was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She studied at Texas State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. She went on to study at the University of St. Thomas and earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership.
When she is not spearheading the Reading Literacy Program, Taylor serves as the Director of Academics for Yes Prep Public Schools in Northwest Houston. She oversees the academic department for her campus and specializes in English Language Arts and Reading Intervention. Taylor also serves at her local church as a Pre-K teacher in the kid's ministry.
Beyond her current roles, Taylor would like to become a principal. She believes every child should have equitable access to an education no matter their socioeconomic background, race, or gender, which is why she decided to work with the JEM Foundation to create the Reading Literacy program.
For fun, Taylor enjoys reading, music, watching movies, and considers herself a professional car karaoke singer!