Meet Our Board

Michelle Trail
Founder
Michelle Trail is the visionary behind Traillionaires Foundation, a nonprofit committed to empowering youth through financial literacy, career development, and self-efficacy. With a background in enterprise consulting and sales acceleration specializing in enterprise resource planning to include financials, supply chain and human capital management with an overall focus on optimizing business performance. Over the past 20 years serving on boards like ULFC, STOP COVAD and CBI as well as the Education Reform Committee while being a contributor in the community Michelle understands the critical role education and access play in closing wealth and opportunity gaps.
Her passion for uplifting underserved communities drives the foundation’s mission: to equip young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to build generational wealth and thrive in an ever-changing world. Through mentorship, education, and strategic partnerships, Michelle is dedicated to creating pathways to success for the next generation of leaders.

Anthony Trail
Director of Community Relations
Anthony Trail is a dedicated mentor and educator with a passion for working with youth. As an integral part of the Traillionaires Foundation, he is committed to empowering young individuals with knowledge and life skills. With a degree and certification in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology, he enjoys sharing his expertise through teaching and mentorship.
As a board member of the Traillionaires Foundation, Anthony plays a key role in shaping programs that promote technical education, career readiness, and personal growth. His leadership helps bridge the gap between industry and education, providing youth with valuable skills for success. Through his commitment to mentorship and workforce development, he advances the foundation’s mission of fostering economic empowerment and lifelong learning.
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Eliana Thompson - Becnel
Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships
Eliana brings wealth of experience in business development, strategic planning, and consumer-driven campaigns. As the Founder and President of Becnel Group, she has a proven track record of executing successful projects across diverse industries and global markets. Eliana has previously led initiatives at Greater New Orleans Inc., focusing on ecosystem development in the Food & Beverage and Music & Entertainment sectors, as well as managing business retention programs. She has also held key roles at British Airways and New Orleans & Company, where she drove corporate travel growth and attracted international and domestic clients. Eliana is passionate about using her expertise to support organizations that make a positive, lasting impact on their communities.
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Rod Easterling
Board Member
Rod is an accomplished HR leader with over two decades of experience in Human Resources, Organizational Development, and Employee Relations. Currently serving as Director of Human Resources at Comcast, Rod leads HR strategies and business objectives for multiple departments, driving employee programs and strategic planning. With previous roles in HR leadership at Tyco/ADT, he has a proven track record in talent development, workforce performance, and driving business culture transformations. Rod's expertise spans HR transformation, leadership development, and strategic human resources management, with a focus on aligning organizational objectives with people strategies. As a Board Member of Traillionaires Foundation, he brings his deep expertise in HR to support the organization's mission and growth.
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Daniel Thompson
Finance and Board Lead
Daniel is an accomplished financial services executive with extensive experience in business development, strategic planning, and investment management. As Vice President of Business Development at Valenta Capital Management, he has built a career fostering strong business relationships and helping financial advisors optimize their practice.
With leadership roles at firms like NexPoint, Genworth, Jackson National Life, and PwC, Daniel brings a wealth of expertise in financial strategy, wealth management, and professional development. As a board member of Traillionaires Foundation, he is committed to empowering BIPOC youth with financial literacy, self-efficacy, and career development, equipping the next generation with the tools to build lasting financial success.
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Juma Reed
Treasurer
Juma Reed is a dedicated financial expert and board member of Traillionaires Foundation, bringing over 18 years of experience in financial services to the organization. As the founder and leader of Seneca Financial Services, Juma specializes in financial analysis, business process improvement, and project management, helping businesses optimize performance and achieve their goals.
With a strong background in accounting, finance, and business administration from Alabama A&M University, Juma is passionate about empowering BIPOC youth with the financial knowledge and confidence needed to build sustainable wealth. His expertise in financial strategy and stakeholder engagement helps guide the foundation’s mission to foster self-efficacy and economic empowerment in underserved communities.

Jason Shader Smith
Public Relations & Marketing
Jason is a strategic leader, entrepreneur, and founder of The MLH Agency, a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in branding, public relations, and event curation. With experience at PwC, Paramount, Spotify, Xbox, and Microsoft, he excels in business strategy, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency. As a board member of Traillionaires Foundation, Jason applies his expertise in leadership, innovation, and technology to empower BIPOC youth with financial literacy and self-efficacy. His background in corporate leadership and consulting aligns with the foundation’s mission to equip young individuals with the skills and confidence to build sustainable financial futures.
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Leah Jolly
Secretary
Leah Jolly is a dedicated administrative and operations professional with extensive experience in business management, retail leadership, and healthcare coordination. With an MBA from the University of Phoenix, she brings strong organizational, communication, and strategic planning skills to her role as Board Member and Secretary of Traillionaires Foundation.
Passionate about financial literacy and self-efficacy for BIPOC youth, Leah leverages her expertise to support the foundation’s mission of empowering underserved communities. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional roles, as she has volunteered with the Coalition for the Homeless for over eight years, demonstrating her dedication to creating meaningful change