Helping others Along the Way

Richard Awni founded Family First Foundation in 2000. He is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse skill set and an impressive track record. As a patent holder and experienced international licensing and HR recruiter for MOFA Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Richard has extensive experience in technology and product management, having served as a senior executive at Electra-Tech Mnfg and AT&T Product Rollout manager.

 Dr. Russell Knight is the Artificial Intelligence Director at Family First Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of experience in AI research, automation, and mission planning from his distinguished career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Throughout his tenure, Dr. Knight contributed to landmark missions such as the Mars Science Laboratory, Cassini Titan exploration, and the International Space Station—developing pioneering systems that allowed spacecraft to operate with greater autonomy and precision.

At Family First, Dr. Knight leverages his deep expertise in heuristic search algorithms, multi-asset coordination, and autonomous decision-making to strengthen the Foundation’s programs, operations, and long-term strategies. His vision for AI centers is not only on innovation, but also on responsibility, ensuring that Family First integrates emerging technologies ethically, transparently, and with equity at the forefront. He is guiding the Foundation in building AI frameworks that protect communities, respect privacy, and expand access to high-quality education and opportunity.

Is a two-time medalist, elite high jumper, author, and dedicated

advocate for inclusion and community empowerment. Competing in the T13 classification for visually impaired athletes, he has earned international recognition for his performance on the world stage and continues to pursue excellence at the highest levels of sport.

 Brandon Dorsky is a highly respected intellectual property attorney and strategic legal advisor with over 15 years of experience protecting and scaling complex brands, creative assets, and emerging technologies. His work spans music, film, television, live entertainment, and technology, where he has advised on intellectual property strategy, risk mitigation, and high-stakes contract negotiations across a wide range of industries.

As the Foundation expands rapidly into Ethical AI education, proprietary curriculum, and character-based learning platforms, Brandon provides critical oversight of all legal and intellectual property matters. He is instrumental in safeguarding the Foundation’s growing portfolio of assets, including its characters, educational frameworks, and brand architecture, while helping structure a durable legal foundation for long-term national scale.

Brandon’s practice includes overseeing one of the most active intellectual property enforcement portfolios in the country, managing hundreds of active matters in federal courts and leading large-scale infringement and counterfeit protection efforts. His experience extends to representing high-profile creators, brands, and rights holders, including work involving celebrity, music, and media intellectual property.

Having followed the Foundation’s work and impact in the community, Brandon was drawn to its mission and stepped forward to contribute his expertise in service of the next generation. His presence brings a powerful combination of legal precision, strategic foresight, and real-world experience—ensuring that as the Foundation builds, its intellectual property is protected, structured, and positioned to endure.

Josef Palik is a young and driven finance professional who brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to the team for our Compliance and Fundraising efforts. With a B.S and M.S. in Professional Accountancy and Finance from Cal Poly Pomona, Josef has a strong desire to simplify the complex in the world of finance. His past and current professional experience at a local firm in North Los Angeles, working intimately with Small Business Owners in a diverse set of industries, has given him a unique understanding of the intricacies of financial management.

Lea Ubas is the President of the Family First Foundation and a City Commissioner for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, where she plays a key role in shaping initiatives that uplift underserved communities. With a strong background in STEAM education, she is a passionate advocate for gender diversity and greater representation of minorities in the technology sector.

Alex Richardson is a pioneering force in generative AI technologies, dedicated to making advanced science accessible and inspiring the next generation of innovators. As Director of Science and Technology at Family First Foundation, Alex brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and creative vision to our mission.

An early adopter of AI-driven image and video generation, Alex has worked at the cutting edge of the entertainment industry, helping to beautify and de-age some of Hollywood’s biggest stars through advanced visual effects. His contributions also extend deeply into the automotive sector, where he has completed major projects with Honda and Toyota, designing real-time machine learning systems for traffic monitoring, passenger behavior analysis, and autonomous vehicle vision systems.

Brian Taylor is a Princeton alumnus and former NBA player, being the first African American drafted from an Ivy League school. He has dedicated the past 25 years to professional education and motivational leadership, earning national recognition as a "change agent" for his character development programs and leadership roles in private and public schools. 

Alexzander Awni is a sophomore at Penn State University, majoring in Aerospace Engineering, and works as a Lab Technician for the university’s Engineering Department. Before joining Penn State, Alexzander was an active participant in the Family First Foundation’s youth programs, where he served as a liaison and mentor for younger students.

As a STEM Ambassador for Family First, Alexzander channels his passion for science, technology, and community service into inspiring the next generation of innovators. He is also affiliated with the UCLA Space Institute, continuing his commitment to space exploration and cutting-edge research. Through his leadership and advocacy, Alexzander strives to expand access to STEM education and empower youth from all backgrounds to “Dare Mighty Things.”

"Making a positive impact in the world by helping others create success and live a fulfilling life." Adele Simonyan is a dedicated research scientist with a UCSB BA degree in Pharmacology and an MBS in Public Health. Currently working at USC as a research and project specialist, she has devoted her career to making a positive impact in the fields of cancer research and biology.