Our Team
Eric Lanham
Interim Executive Director
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Eric is a graduate of the University of Kentucky ('08) with a B.A. in Philosophy & the University of Florida ('22) with a M.Ed./Ed.S. in Mental Health Counseling. Eric has been working in youth development on the Eastside of Gainesville for 10 years. Eric has also volunteered for the Alachua County Democratic Party as a Precinct Captain. In addition to being a counselor at AIM, Eric has clinical experience as a therapist at A. Quinn Jones School, Eastside High School, and UF Shands Psychiatric Hospital. Eric is also a phone volunteer and trainer for the Alachua County Crisis Center. Eric believes that healing happens in community and connection and that we must understand ourselves within the systems that we live to grow. Eric has experience working with anxiety, depression, suicidality, anger, crisis intervention, life transitions, identity, neurodivergence, and family counseling. Eric practices primarily from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy framework.
Nasseeka Denis
Interim Supporting Executive Director
College and Career Coordinator
Nasseeka currently serves as the College and Career Coordinator for Aces In Motion, where she has held various roles throughout her tenure. A proud double graduate of the University of Florida, Nasseeka holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology & African American Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. With over 12 years of experience in serving the East Gainesville community, she has built lasting relationships with local youth and their families.
Throughout her career, Nasseeka has had the privilege of working with more than 300 students across all grade levels, from kindergarten through college. This diverse experience has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs of students at various stages of their academic journeys.
Nasseeka also collaborates with several community organizations, including Dream On Purpose, Education Equalizers, and Open Door Ministries. She attributes her personal and professional growth to the mentors who have poured wisdom into her, planted seeds of hope, and spoken life over her. Inspired by these mentors, Nasseeka is dedicated to offering the same support and guidance to the participants of Aces In Motion, helping them achieve their full potential.
Chaz Pilkey
Program Director
Charles Pilkey, or 'Coach Chaz' as his students know him, is from Sarasota, Florida and has been an avid educator for over 6 years, and in a variety of different countries. From professional schools, to non-for profit programs, and volunteer projects across four continents, his variety of experiences have provided him with a worldly and culturally sensitive approach to education. With specializations in; Teaching English as a Second Language, Test Preparation, English for use in Business, and Athletics, he has developed a teaching methodology of clear communication and positivity that can help students of all levels excel. Charles is the Current Program Director at Aces in Motion, where his goals are to improve student literacy and to help young students explore creative and athletic passions in a safe and supportive environment.
Alexis Kirschke
Academic Director
Alexis Kirschke grew up in Naples, Florida, and at 19, moved to Gainesville to pursue her education. She left the University of Florida with a B.A. in Criminology, Sociology, and Law to serve the Tampa Bay area. Alexis has worked alongside children and teens for six years in both volunteer and professional roles.
Motivated by her faith, she believes that advocating for the disenfranchised and underserved is a personal life mission. With this in mind, she has worked with children in foster care, at-risk youth, and teen parents throughout the state of Florida. She has focused much of her efforts on education within these populations, empowering teens to apply for scholarships, improve grades, and get into college.
Now, Alexis has returned to the area to serve as AIM’s Academic Director, with the goal of improving reading comprehension and literacy scores for students in East Gainesville.
In her free time, Alexis enjoys spending time with friends, hosting movie nights, attending trivia events, traveling, and watching theater. As Academic Director, she’s always reaching for the next great book!
Kimberly Liechty
Volunteer Coordinator
Kimberly "Coach Kim" Liechty serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Aces in Motion. Kim was born in Sarasota, Florida and graduated from the University of North Florida in 2020 with a Bachelors in Anthropology. Her love of people has led her to the amazing position of bringing community members into Aces in Motion. Her goal in her position is that our students benefit from the wisdom and experience that our community has to offer. In her free time Kim enjoys swimming, reading, and watching bad movies.
Mahima Kedlaya
Marketing Coordinator
Mahima serves as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Aces in Motion. She grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently a senior at the University of Florida, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Marketing. Mahima has experience in communications and marketing through her work with the Linguaviva Center in Dublin, Ireland, as well as the Warrington Newsroom at UF. She is passionate about using creative communication to amplify meaningful missions and connect communities! In her free time, Mahima enjoys traveling, painting, thrifting, spending time with loved ones, and any nature adventure she can embark on.
Owen Leason
Data Coordinator
Owen Leason, born & raised on the banks of Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River, moved to Gainesville last year. Within the heart of Florida, Coach Owen has been welcomed. His parents encouraged him from a young age to recognize the importance of community. A brewery pub gave him his demeanor. Soccer communities have him love. Now, as he trips his way into adulthood, he attempts to help to water the Gainesville community. Selinsgrove Area School District, Penn West University California (BS in Biology) and Southern New Hampshire University (MS in Data Analytics) educated him. Education must be passed on, wasted if not. Adulthood must maintain that childhood love for curiosity. At AIM, Coach Owen has been taught more by the students than he's taught them.
After School Coaches
Natasha Counts
Coach
Rachel
Coach
Diego Herrada
Coach
Alina
Intern
Rylie Parrish
Coach
Isa
Intern
Zy'keria
Coach
Ceschely
Intern
Zuzanna
Coach
Maya
Intern
Denyja
Coach
Solomia
Intern
Ashton Booker
Coach
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Adele Dorion
Staff
Jennifer Sonaly
Staff
Chaz Pilkey
Staff
Dawnique Miller
Staff
Lily Ball
Staff
Harrison Leslie
Staff
Netta Hearn
Staff
Cynthia
Staff
Wolf Charles
Staff
Lead Coaches
