Board of Directors — Rooted Forward Inc.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings together diverse expertise and a shared commitment to ensuring every young adult who ages out of foster care has the support, resources, and community they deserve.
Erin Kristine Langdon, MA
Founder & President
Erin is an International Psychologist with a master's degree focused on trauma and conflict, with doctoral studies in organizations and systems. She is an Adjunct Professor at Lynn University, a former foster parent, and an experienced business and organizational leader. She brings more than fifteen years of engagement with the psychological and sociological literature on child welfare, trauma, and foster care systems.
Erin's commitment to this work is deeply personal. Raised in an environment marked by instability, neglect, and limited support, she entered adulthood without many of the resources, guidance, and confidence that young people need to successfully navigate life. The mentors, employers, educators, and supporters who believed in her potential helped change the trajectory of her future and shaped her belief that one caring, consistent presence can alter the course of a life.
Erin founded Rooted Forward after years of witnessing what happens when young adults age out of foster care without a transition plan, meaningful support system, or safety net. She believes that young people are not lacking potential; they are often lacking the relationships, encouragement, and opportunities needed to realize it. She believes turning 18 should be a milestone, not a cliff edge — and built Rooted Forward to be the bridge so many young people are never given.
Erin lives in Delray Beach, Florida, and is committed to ensuring every young adult who ages out of foster care has someone in their corner and a pathway toward a future filled with possibility, purpose, and hope.
Kenna Smith
Operations Board Member
Kenna Smith serves as an Operations Board Member for Rooted Forward Inc., bringing extensive experience in nonprofit operations, strategic planning, technology integration, and organizational development.
Kenna and her husband, Mark, have a deep personal understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by young people seeking stability, support, and a path toward a successful future. Together, they adopted their son at the age of six and later assumed guardianship of their daughter at the age of seventeen, providing the guidance, structure, and encouragement she needed to confidently transition into adulthood.
These experiences have given Kenna firsthand insight into the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where individuals can develop the skills, confidence, and relationships necessary to thrive. Her personal journey aligns closely with Rooted Forward's mission and fuels her passion for helping young people build strong foundations for their futures.
Professionally, Kenna has focused on creating efficient systems and processes that help organizations expand their reach while strengthening relationships with the communities they serve. Her expertise includes project management, event coordination, data management, workflow automation, and developing operational strategies that support long-term organizational growth.
As a member of the Rooted Forward Inc. Board, Kenna combines her professional expertise with her lived experience to support the organization's mission of empowering individuals and families through stability, connection, and opportunity. She is committed to helping Rooted Forward create lasting impact and provide the resources and support needed for clients to successfully move forward in life.
Shahida Boyton
Board Member
With 23 years of experience in education, Shahida Boykin has dedicated her career to helping young people discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and build meaningful futures. She holds a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and has earned two instructional coaching certifications, including one from the University of Florida. Throughout her career as a teacher, instructional coach, and educational leader, she has been passionate about creating equitable learning opportunities that foster confidence, resilience, and lifelong success. Shahida believes that every young person deserves a supportive community and access to the skills, guidance, and encouragement needed to thrive — values that closely reflect Rooted Forward's commitment to empowering foster care alumni as they transition into independent adulthood.
Shannon Mann, CDP, CSA
Board Director, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Shannon Mann brings a depth of professional and lived experience in caregiving, community engagement, and mental health advocacy to the Rooted Forward Board. She currently serves as Regional Director of Sales for Silverado Memory Care and is the Founder of Zen Senior Solutions, where she helps individuals and families navigate complex care decisions and connect with resources and support. A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Shannon is also a community educator with the Alzheimer's Association and an advocate for families navigating Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
Shannon's commitment to this work is both personal and professional. Raised by a hardworking single mother, she experienced frequent moves and instability throughout her childhood, attending 18 schools before adulthood. Later, supporting an immediate family member through serious mental illness gave her a profound understanding of the challenges families face when navigating complex, often misunderstood conditions, as well as the importance of compassionate, informed support systems.
Throughout her career, Shannon has been a passionate advocate, educator, and community connector. She is known for building meaningful partnerships, connecting professionals and families to valuable resources, and bringing people together through education, outreach, and relationship-building. She believes every young person deserves stability, support, and the opportunity to build a successful future.
Based in California, Shannon serves remotely as Rooted Forward's Director of Communications & Community Engagement, helping tell the stories of the young adults the organization serves and building community awareness of their needs.
Suzanne Riley
Secretary | Treasurer
Experienced bookkeeper and executive assistant with bookkeeping experience dating back to 2010, supporting multiple accounts and day-to-day business operations with accuracy, discretion, and reliability. Suzanne helps business owners and executives stay organized, maintain clear financial records, and make informed decisions with confidence.
She brings a detail-oriented approach to bookkeeping, including account reconciliation, expense tracking, invoicing, reporting, and maintaining accurate financial records. Her experience includes managing approximately 80 QuickBooks accounts, each with its own bank account, requiring strong organization, consistency, and attention to detail.
In executive support roles, Suzanne assists with calendar management, communications, document preparation, scheduling, and workflow coordination. She also provides personal support for three CEOs, including household organization, personal scheduling, vendor coordination, and personal bill pay — always maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
With clear communication, discretion, and proactive problem-solving, Suzanne provides dependable support that allows leaders, families, and teams to stay organized, reduce administrative burden, and focus on their priorities.
Get Involved
Interested in Joining Our Board?
We welcome leaders who are passionate about youth advocacy, foster care reform, and building pathways to independence. If you believe in our mission, we'd love to hear from you.