Family First Foundation Board of Directors

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kristofer Barton is the Chief Marketing & Development Officer at Family First Foundation, where he leads strategic initiatives to expand the organization’s outreach, fundraising, and brand presence. With more than 15 years of experience in brand marketing, commercial production, and content development, Kristofer blends creative vision with business strategy to amplify Family First’s mission of empowering youth and families through education and opportunity.

Before joining Family First, Kristofer built a diverse career across entertainment, consumer brands, and nonprofit sectors. He has spearheaded brand marketing and storytelling initiatives for BenjiLock, an award-winning biometric security company, developing campaigns featured across CES, Target, Amazon, and Best Buy. As an Executive Producer at Studio SDK, he has overseen projects for global brands, while his previous roles at 160over90 and Neighborhood Film Company allowed him to produce integrated campaigns, short films, and multimedia content that bridged creativity and impact.

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. 

Roger Spillmann is a C-Suite expert in technology, business development, corporate governance, growth strategies, and accountability who brings a new level of guidance and vision for Family First Foundation's growth.  As a senior financial consultant, investment banker, and corporate finance specialist, Roger completed more than $800 million of transactions in technology, healthcare, media/communications, renewable energy, and education, allowing him to contribute a unique perspective to the intersection of technology, education, and sports. 

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.”

Harry Hanes III began building his path as a technology leader long before joining the Family First Foundation as a Tech Ambassador. As a standout student and campus leader at Walsh University, where he majored in Cybersecurity (Class of 2027), Harry combined technical expertise with a passion for community engagement, setting the stage for his impact-driven work today.

As a member of Cavs Cor Cordium—a leadership program hand-selected by the President of Walsh—Harry helps foster community, personal growth, and ethical citizenship among his peers. His leadership extends into the International AI Club at Walsh University, where he conducts extensive research in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. 

"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.

Craig Hodges is the Director of Athletics at Family First Foundation. He is a retired NBA player who attended college basketball at Clemson University before entering the professional league. During his career, he played for several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, where he was a three-time 3-point shooting champion and a three-time NBA World Champion. He became a head coach at Chicago State University, an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, and head coach of the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of Canada.