Meet Our Board
James G. Okore is a professional soccer coach and youth development leader with over a decade of experience managing a soccer organization in Mercer County. With more than 15 years in leadership across corporate, sports, and faith-based spaces, he is known for building strong teams, developing people, and creating purpose-driven communities. He also serves as Pastor of Church Discipleship and Training and Chairman of the Elder Board at Transformation Church NJ.
Passionate about mentoring youth, James has dedicated his career to helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. He is a devoted husband to Michelle Okore and a proud father of two daughters, Mariah and Ariella.
Pastor James Okore
Founding Board President
Michelle is a Youth Development Specialist and Professional Tennis Coach with over 19 years of experience, having worked with more than 5,000 young people across the NJ/NY area.
She graduated from Drew University with a B.A. in Economics and a master’s degree in Creative Writing.
In 2022, Michelle founded WE Lead Sports Inc. to expand youth access to developmental opportunities and to prepare young people for life beyond high school. Through this organization, she blends sports, leadership development, and college readiness to ensure youth are equipped for long-term success.
Michelle Gbelama-Okore
Founder & ED
Ariana is the Program Manager at Foundation Academies Charter School, where she leads the K–8 after-school program, overseeing staff, curriculum, and daily operations. Her previous experience in early childhood development sparked a deep interest in supporting students academically and socially within school-based settings.
Ariana’s passion for civic engagement and community is inspired by her great-grandmother’s legacy of involvement in local initiatives throughout Lawrenceville, NJ. This foundation has shaped Ariana’s commitment to uplifting youth and fostering meaningful community connections.
Ariana Love
Vice President
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A native New Yorker, she has lived in Mercer County, New Jersey for over 30 years. She holds a BSE in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and is now retired after a successful 43-year career in the chemical industry. She is passionate about investing her time and energy into supporting the development and education of young people, especially those with limited access to resources.
In addition to her involvement with WE Lead Sports Inc., she volunteers at a Mercer County elementary school, assisting with Science, Language Arts, and ESL. She believes that challenging young minds to reach for the stars is an immeasurable investment in the future.
Jacqueline Booth
Secretary
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Lisa Aliche is a seasoned youth development professional with over 15 years of experience supporting adolescents across education and mental health spaces. Passionate about the transformative power of mentorship, education, and community, she has dedicated her career to uplifting at-risk youth throughout New Jersey.
She has served in impactful roles including Student Advisor at Edison Job Corps, Teacher with New Jersey City University’s YouthCorps program, Afterschool Program Coordinator with Newark Public Schools, and Behavioral Health Counselor in the nonprofit sector. Lisa holds a B.A. in Journalism & Media Studies from Rutgers-Newark and certifications in Nonprofit Management and Professional Grant Writing from William Paterson University. She is also a founding contributor to The Get Good With Money Club and enjoys coaching tennis for youth and beginners.
Lisa Aliche
Treasurer
