Meet our Team
Mona elleithee sullivan, founder
Born to Egyptian, Muslim immigrants, Mona often felt the pains of exclusion from different directions: not Arab enough, not Muslim enough, and not American enough. Her passion for intercultural work stems from her own experiences as a student, teacher, and coach.
Mona taught high school students English Language Arts in Tucson, AZ, West Chicago, IL, and Columbia, SC for sixteen years before serving as a Behavioral Interventionist, or classroom management and behavior coach, for a year and a half. In the Title I schools where she served it became undeniably clear how wide the opportunity gaps were for many of her students. Mona knows that a factor impacting why so many teachers leave the profession is because they're overwhelmed by the foundational literacy skills required to grow their students’ skillsets, and worse, they often feel blamed. It is the longing in her students’ eyes for a rigorous academic experience that drives her to help teachers protect their professional passion and grow their own tool kits so they can implement successful instructional practices with confidence.
Empowerment through literacy cuts deep to the core of who Mona is as a bilingual woman of color, activist, and educator. When she's not making harmony at work, Mona cherishes her experience singing backup for Linda Ronstadt, enjoys singing with the Sandlapper Singers, and delights in singing karaoke with her theatrical 14-year-old son, Omar, and talented 11-year-old daughter, Dina. She is the proud wife of Dale Sullivan. Click here to see her complete professional bio.
Mike Scionti, Director of operations
A distinguished educator with a rich and diverse career spanning over two decades, Mike’s innovative teaching methods ignited a passion for learning in his students. With a whole-child focus and an unwavering commitment to positive student outcomes, he found success both in the classroom and as a school leader. In curriculum development, it was his priority to center creativity and critical thinking, and this approach extended to instructional design, methods of assessment and evaluation, targeted professional development, and bolstering teacher satisfaction and retention. Mike is a sought-after trainer and mentor for educators across a wide range of school environments, and his sessions are appreciated for their authenticity and practicality, equipping teachers with the tools they need to excel in their roles. As both parent and educator, Mike is committed to Renewed Harmony’s work to empower and revitalize the educational landscape for generations to come.
DESTINY Johnson, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Destiny Johnson brings a diverse wealth of knowledge to Renewed Harmony in her position as Executive Assistant. She has over eight years of administrative experience with expertise in customer care, meeting planning, scheduling, documenting and maintaining business processes. She has a keen eye to detail and meticulous work ethic and she truly adds great value wherever she goes; there’s not an aspect of business management and operations she can’t tackle! Most would describe her as a highly reliable, efficient and dedicated chaos coordinator.
Originally from Columbia, SC, Destiny attended Dreher High School where she first met Mona in her African American Literature class. Thereafter, she and Mona worked closely together on student council, culminating her senior year as Student Body President. She then went on to obtain her Bachelors in Biological Sciences from Clemson University and her Masters in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University. The same administrative skillset that she brings to Renewed Harmony has aided her in being repeatedly promoted through the ranks of health care organizations. Destiny attributes many of the skills utilized in her own consulting work to the foundations she learned in Mona’s leadership class in high school.
Destiny currently lives in Greenville, SC with her husband, Garrett, and adorable puppy, Daisy. When she’s not keeping busy in her administrative duties, she can be found spending time with family and friends, trying out new restaurants, coaching cheerleaders, and working out. She lives each day with a quote from Roy T. Bennett in mind – “Life is short. Focus on what really matters most. You have to change your priorities over time.”
liz baughman, Staff Writer & copy editor
Career educator, Liz Baughman lovingly taught in elementary and middle level classrooms for eighteen years. She has worked as a third grade teacher in Richland School District Two and in Kershaw County School District and as technology lead teacher at St. John Neumann Catholic School. She attended Furman University (Bachelors in English) and then the University of South Carolina, earning a Masters of Art in Teaching. Liz enjoys traveling, reading, writing, visiting museums, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Liz’s gifts of listening & questioning strengthen the team. She contributes her expertise as a thought partner, culturally responsive teacher, & trauma-informed educator in advocating for the rights & needs of all stakeholders.
Dale Sullivan, chief financial officer
As a veteran credit officer with over twenty years in banking experience, Dale Sullivan brings a wealth of financial and leadership expertise to the Renewed Harmony team. Dale holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University, and a life coaching certification from New Skills Academy. In high school, Dale played on the Hillcrest High football team as their quarterback. His performance earned him a football scholarship at North Greenville Junior College where he earned his Associate of Science in Business.
Dale’s family is full of youth advocates and his passion for football began at a young age when his father, Emanuel Sullivan, coached Dale and his brother, Eric, in several sports. Their sister, Cassandra Garrett, taught elementary school for 30+ years in Pickens County and Greenville County before serving in her current role as a Reading Interventionist at Fork Shoals Elementary School. His mother, Lillie, lovingly served food to the children of Bryson Elementary School for over 25 years before retiring. Dale enjoys working out, coaching youth football, volunteering at church, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers & Pittsburgh Steelers in his spare time.