Our Team
Our Team
Our team is made up of 8 board members and a a host volunteers
Our Team
Founder
8 Board Members
30+ volunteers
Tameika Thomas
OUR FOUNDER
OUR BOARD
Tameika’s Story
Tameika Thomas is the Founder and Executive Director of Avery & Aubrey’s Way, a nonprofit organization created in loving dedication to her daughters, Avery and Aubrey. Born on February 14, 2013, the twins passed shortly after birth due to placenta abruption and severe prematurity. Avery survived for 30 minutes, and Aubrey for two days. Their lives and legacy are the foundation upon which Avery & Aubrey’s Way was built.
Like many mission-driven organizations, Avery & Aubrey’s Way was born from lived experience. After relocating from Texas to Illinois, Tameika founded the organization on October 27, 2017, with a clear purpose: to support families who experience the loss of a newborn infant within the first 28 days of life. Her vision was shaped by both profound grief and deep gratitude.
Following the loss of her daughters, Tameika was surrounded by an extraordinary support system—one so vast it defied measure. Yet through her healing journey, a question remained at the forefront of her heart: What about families who do not have that kind of support? No family should have to grieve the loss of a child alone.
Through Avery & Aubrey’s Way, Tameika uses her testimony to create a compassionate village for grieving families—one rooted in empathy, understanding, and shared experience. Her leadership is guided by purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that families navigating infant loss are seen, supported, and reminded that they are not alone.
The people who support us
Christine Gayden
Christine serves as the President of Avery & Aubrey’s Way, bringing a strong blend of professional expertise, community service, and compassionate leadership to the organization. She is a devoted mother of three and a fintech enthusiast with a solid background in financial strategy and organizational leadership. Christine earned her MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
She is actively involved in community advocacy through her volunteer work with CASA of Southwestern Illinois, supporting children and families through service and mentorship. Christine is also a dedicated supporter of art education and the performing arts, valuing their importance in emotional expression and healing.
As President, Christine provides strategic direction, oversees organizational development, and supports initiatives that enhance Avery & Aubrey’s Way’s ability to serve families grieving the loss of newborn infants. Her leadership, vision, and commitment to service play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.
Melanie Njoroge
Melanie is a board member and the liaison for Avery and Aubrey‘s Way. She has her
Bachelor's degree from Missouri State University in Clothing, Textiles and Merchandising with
minors in Business, Marketing and Music. She is currently a Security Compliance Analyst and
owns several businesses.
Additionally, Melanie has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years. Melanie's
comprehensive background aids in serving as the organization's connector.
Melanie connects families to resources. When not busy volunteering or working in her field,
Melanie appreciates the time that she has with her two boys. Together, she and her sons engage
in crafts, music, and theatrics.
Dr. Linda
Strategic Planning Chair
Dr. Linda Ogbah Faas serves as the Strategic Planning Chair of Avery & Aubrey’s Way, bringing a wealth of leadership, academic excellence, and service-oriented experience to the organization. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, a Master’s degree in Management, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She recently earned her Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership and Small Business Sustainability from Walden University.
Dr. Linda is a dedicated administrator and servant leader whose professional focus centers on leadership development, mentorship, and empowering women within business and organizational spaces. She firmly believes that education is not merely about earning credentials, but about equipping individuals to create meaningful and lasting change in the lives of others.
Raised in Nigeria, Dr. Linda proudly served in the United States Navy, where her commitment to excellence resulted in multiple awards, recognitions, and rapid advancement in rank. She continues her service as a United States Army National Guard Chaplain, sharing her knowledge of business, communication, leadership, and theology with the communities she serves.
In addition to her military service, Dr. Linda is the President of the African Chamber of Commerce–St. Louis, where she works to build bridges between African entrepreneurs and the St. Louis business community. Through this role, she has led initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, cross-cultural collaboration, and economic development, while advocating for small business owners and strengthening global and local networks.
As Strategic Planning Chair for Avery & Aubrey’s Way, Dr. Linda provides long-term visioning, strategic guidance, and sustainability-focused insight to support the organization’s growth and impact. Her leadership, integrity, and heart for service are instrumental in advancing the mission of supporting families grieving the loss of newborn infants
Dr. Katie
Dr. Katelin Russell is a licensed chiropractor serving Swansea, Illinois, and the surrounding communities, with a deep-rooted passion for holistic and compassionate healthcare. From an early age, she knew she was called to serve others in the healthcare field. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered chiropractic care and was drawn to its philosophy of empowering the body to heal naturally, without reliance on harmful medications.
In addition to chiropractic care, Dr. Katie specializes in conservative and integrative wellness modalities, including acupuncture, dry needling, and cupping. Her approach to care emphasizes whole-body wellness, prevention, and long-term healing—values that align seamlessly with the mission of Avery & Aubrey’s Way.
Dr. Katie serves as the Wellness Event Coordinator and Chair Member of Avery & Aubrey’s Way, where she plays a key role in developing and leading wellness-focused initiatives for grieving families. Through thoughtfully curated events and programming, she helps create spaces for healing, restoration, and emotional support. Her professional expertise and compassionate leadership contribute significantly to the organization’s ability to care for families beyond traditional support services.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Dr. Katie enjoys exploring new places and adventuring with her husband, Jeremy, their daughter, Gianna, and their two dogs, Bolt and Mochi.
Litisha Wilson
Litisha presently holds the position of Treasurer for AAW, having assumed this role in 2024. Her extensive background encompasses a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Additionally, she owns a Tax Consultant Firm and holds a position as a Human Resources Recruiter.
During her leisure time, she relishes moments spent with loved ones and friends.
Ciara
Grant Writing Committee Chair
Ciara Wheeler serves as the Grant Writing Committee Chair of Avery & Aubrey’s Way, where she plays a key role in strengthening the organization’s funding strategy and long-term sustainability. She is the founder of C.W. Business Advisory Group, providing HR, compliance, and business administration consulting to organizations seeking structure, accountability, and responsible growth.
Ciara holds a Bachelor of Science in Justice Systems from Truman State University and a Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University. Before founding her firm, she spent more than five years working in the nonprofit sector, supporting operations, compliance, and strategic initiatives across mission-driven organizations.
With a strong background in governance and nonprofit compliance, Ciara brings an impact-focused and detail-oriented approach to grant development and organizational sustainability. At Avery & Aubrey’s Way, she spearheads the Grant Writing Committee, leading efforts to identify funding opportunities, align proposals with the organization’s mission, and implement systems that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term growth.
Ciara’s leadership supports Avery & Aubrey’s Way’s ability to expand programs, secure critical funding, and deepen its reach to families navigating the grief of infant loss. Her strategic insight and commitment to ethical, sustainable practices make her an invaluable asset to the organization.
“Growing as an organization. Engaging with and giving back to the community. Connecting families to resources."
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4610A North Illinois St
Fairview heights, IL 62208
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