Division 1
Benita Adkins
Benita lives in Rappahannock with her son, foster sister, and nephew. She grew up the youngest of six, not realizing until she was seven that one of her brothers was actually a foster brother. At the age of 23, Benita completed training as a therapeutic foster parent. Her home was open for fostering for 16 years. In that time, she completed her Bachelor's, adopted a son, and taught school for 8 years.
Benita has had the extreme privilege to learn many lessons from the children placed in her care. It wasn't until her mother became ill and she took on the responsibility of caring for her foster sister, who is diagnosed with Downs Syndrome, that she began navigating the world of waivers. In the last 4 years, Benita has learned many things that she would like to share with others about what is available to improve the quality of life of others.
Andrea O'Neil
Andrea was born in San Antonio, Texas but being a military child, she was raised all over the world. Andrea has resided in Northern Virginia since 2004 and currently lives in Sterling, VA with her boyfriend and their three kitties. Andrea is a competitive bodybuilder in the Women’s Figure Division. Aside from her rigorous training schedule, she enjoys going on hikes/walks, searching for new coffee places to try with her boyfriend, and spending time with him and their fur babies.
Andrea is a George Mason University Graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Health Education. Andrea has a passion for helping others and making a positive impact in peoples’ lives. Ever since she was a 3-year-old running around in Turkey, she has always wanted to go above and beyond for those around her.
Andrea has worked with a variety of different populations over the years and one thing that remained the same throughout each encounter is that she always wanted to do the most she could for them. Andrea’s main goal is to help people succeed, be happy, and live life to its full potential. She wants to help those around her feel independent, empowered, confident, and hopeful and she wants to ensure that individuals have the resources and services they need to reach this point. She is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to join Moms In Motion and advocate for those in her community.
Chasity Sanchez
Girlie Bautista
Iliana Fernandez
Jennifer Crump
Lakisha McGaney-Osei
Born into the BRATLife in South Carolina, Lakisha McGaney-Osei proudly grew up as a military child of an Army servicemen with her two siblings. She credits her ability to adapt and integrate into new environments to her resilient upbringing as a military brat who experienced living in five states, two countries and attending 17 schools (including four high schools in three years) by the time she was 21. The relationships that have been built and maintained for over 35 years have allotted her the opportunity to engage and encounter people from all walks of life and abilities.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, she ended up relocating to the DC Metro area in 2002 and spent many of those years in Alexandria and Fairfax County in Northern VA. Her work experience primarily includes working with non-profit organizations, parks and recreation, the hospitality industry and school health. She still treasures her time serving as one of the first classes of AmeriCorps members in the Twin Cities and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lakisha is also a 5-time author and enjoys writing poetry, doing wellness collaborations, and encouraging others to Go Be Great.
She is excited to join the Moms In Motion family and comes with the experience of having been a Long-term Care EDCD Services Facilitator pre-covid; she served families in Manassas, Prince William and Fauquier County, VA. Lakisha found this to be one of her most rewarding jobs to date, but the need to focus on her own child's special needs at the time impacted her decision to transition to something closer to home. She is excited to be back in this rewarding and very necessary role and looks forward to being a resource and trusted ally for her families and colleagues.
Lakisha currently resides just north of the bridge in Prince George’s County, MD where she enjoys walking and hiking in the local parks and trails. She is the mother of three lovelies, as she calls them. Being an empty nester is right around the corner.
Saba Zadran
Sandra Michelli
Sandra is a single mother of five wonderful children and an adorable granddaughter. Her four youngest children have some sort of special need. Her youngest daughter has hydrocephalus, a seizure disorder, and is non-verbal and wheelchair bound. She has taught Sandra what determination and persistence really means. Over the past nineteen years, Sandra has advocated for her children and their needs.
Sandra has a Bachelor's of Science in Management from Phoenix University and is currently working on obtaining her Master's in Secondary Education. She looks forward to working with other families through Moms In Motion, helping them receive the services that they need.
Tigist Gebremariam
Tigist was born and raised in Nazareth, Ethiopia. She came to the United States in 2014 and lived in New Mexico and Georgia before making her move to Alexandria, Virginia in 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree in database management systems from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was introduced to the special needs community care system because of her son’s needs. She is very good at exploring resources and sharing them with those who really need them. Tigist enjoys spending time with her family and close friends.