Marian Parker Branch

Executive Director- Franchisee

As a transplant from Michigan, with 25 years in the field of education, Marian has a great passion for working with exceptional education students. She understands how programs and projects should be adapted and developed to match the needs of each student to ensure that they reach their learning potential. She’s able to assist her team with finding healthy problems solving perceptions bringing healing to people who have been through a stressful experience. She is committed to educating students, colleagues, families and the community through establishing strong connections. After spending nearly, a decade working as an educator, administrator, and advocate, in 2007, Marian and her business partner established Mending Fences, LLC, a one to one behavioral aide service. Currently, Marian is the CEO of Mending Fences, LLC and has served in this compacity since 2007. She supports and directs all Mending Fences daily operations. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix, administration, and supervision. She holds a Virginia postgraduate professional teaching license with an endorsement in serve disabilities, K-12. Since 2003, Marian has been an Administrator, Exceptional Education Teacher, Vocational Specialist, and IEP Coordinator in the public-school setting, private day and various nonprofit organizations as well as serving on the Multi-Disciplinary Team for Henrico County. She has dedicated herself to becoming a life-long educator and learner. As an educational leader and advocate, Marian volunteers over 200 hours annually, helping families with life skills that are both practical and beneficial in their daily lives. Most recently, Marian and her business partner opened Stemtree of Midlothian, an Education Center which focuses on science, technology, and engineering aligning with today’s nationwide emphasis on STEM. Marian continues to serve her community by sitting on Child Savers Community Board, as well as having affiliations with several community organizations.

Tonya Salley-Goodwin

Executive Director- Franchisee

Tonya Salley-Goodwin has proudly served as an educator, administrator, and entrepreneur for over 20 years. Born and raised in Southside Virginia, she assumed her undergraduate studies at Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA). Upon graduating, she found her calling in working with exceptional and behaviorally challenged children with United Methodist Family Services and St. Joseph's Villa, both located in the Greater Richmond area. Evolving through various positions of increasing responsibilities, Ms. Goodwin found success in her field, not only as a teacher but ultimately as a principal within UMFS Charterhouse School-Richmond Day School, having completed a Master’s degree in secondary education administration and principalship certification. Her ability to connect with students, parents and education partners saw her being charged with the establishment of UMFS's educational footprint in the Shenandoah Valley, as the Principal of Charterhouse School-Edinburg from 2013 until 2018. Concurrently, she, along with her business partner, established a successful one to one behavioral counseling service, Mending Fences, LLC, in 2007, which continues to provide support to Richmond and Shenandoah Valley area school districts and private day schools. Tonya and her business partner also opened Stemtree of Midlothian in Midlothian Virginia in 2019 which focuses on science, technology, and engineering aligning with today’s nationwide emphasis on STEM. While making Harrisonburg her home for the last seven years, she has become invested in her community just as she is in Richmond. Her ease in connecting with people from all walks of life, coupled with her ability to effectively and efficiently manage the operational and administrative components of an organization has led her to her next adventure working with Lutheran Family Services of Virginia as Principal of the Minnick School-Harrisonburg in 2019. Again, she brings a dearth of knowledge, compassion, and experience that compliments the mission and goals of the organization.

Zachary S. Branch

Vice President Of Operations- Franchisee