LaMarque’ D. Ward, Sr. founded Deam Builders University in 2015 to educate young men and women about leadership skills. Since then, DBU has been a leader in providing professional development services for schools.

LaMarqué is an internationally acclaimed educator, speaker, author, trainer, and coach. He utilizes a profound insight gained by years of struggle, gain, and achievement to engage each audience with an uncanny ability to reach collective common ground. He shares his life in the form of practical wisdom and has expertise in connecting with the needs of others and breaking down barriers that ordinarily hinder success.

As president of DBU, he has led successful intervention efforts for at-risk youth in Cincinnati and around the country by providing expert-level leadership development and coaching for staff. He has also created several student interventions that focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) for students.

LaMarqué’s first book, Competing as a Lifestyle: You vs. You, A Student’s Guide to Greatness, was well received by diverse readers. And his sophomore

volume, Dream Building for Parents, along with his anti-bullying book series, Malik’s Big Dream and Malik The Difference Maker, have achieved an even broader impact.

Complementing his work at DBU, LaMarqué is COO of Charthouse Learning. Additionally, he serves as Vice President of the Collective Empowerment Group Metro Cincinnati Chapter. He is the immediate past Board Chair of the Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC) at Ethel M. Taylor Academy in Cincinnati and currently serves on the Executive Board of Rising Leaders, Executive Board of Forever Kings. And since 2014, LaMarqué has served as Pastor of Cincinnati Urban Ministry Outreach (CUMO).

He holds a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministries from Faith Theological Seminary, and an Associate of Arts degree from South Plains College. He is a John Maxwell Team Certified coach, trainer, and speaker; a Paradigm 360 certified coach; and he holds a Disruptive Strategy Certificate from Harvard Business School Online.

Kelly Hayden, M.A., LPCC is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Ohio and a Certified Health & Wellness Coach with over 20 years of experience. 

Kelly uses an eclectic approach to meet the needs of her clients. Kelly works with teens and adults. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a student-athlete with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, and certification in Coaching from Humana.

Specialty Areas: 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Couples 
• Pre-marital 
• Life Transition
• Stress Management
• Overcoming Betrayal
• Infertility

Antonio Broadnax is a leader with over 20 plus years of experience in student services 14 with Dream builders. As our Vice President of Student Services & Programs Mr. Broadnax is a seasoned expert in program development, implementation, and evaluation. Equipped with strong research capabilities, he has a proven track record of identifying solutions for children, adults, and academic operations. He has a talent for budget development and management, skilled in building and leading high-performing teams, with a focus on professional development and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Mr. Broadnax is a skilled communicator and relationship-builder who excels in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and external organizations. He leverages his expertise in data analysis and utilization to inform decision-making and drive improvement efforts, all while maintaining a strong passion for promoting the areas of SEL, diversity, equity, inclusion, and restorative practices.

In addition, as the Vice President of Student Services & Programs, Mr. Broadnax has successfully developed, grown, and maintained contracted school programs with three of the largest school districts in Cincinnati. He is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that support the success of all students and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization.

A Licensed Social Worker with over 20 years of experience, Brandy has dedicated her career to walking alongside individuals and families during some of the most challenging parts of their stories. Brandy Pendleton is passionate about sharing the knowledge and practices that have transformed her own life and family.

She and her husband served as foster parents for seven years, and during that time, welcomed four sons into their family. This personal journey continues to shape Brandy’s professional perspective and fuels her commitment to trauma-informed care.

Brandy currently serves as the Expansion Manager at Back2Back Middletown, after spending four years with Back2Back Cincinnati, partnering with after-school programs to train and coach their teams in trauma-informed practices. Brandy now collaborates with an elementary school in the Middletown City School District, doing the same. She is also an Affiliate Trainer for Trauma Free World, a TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Practitioner, and Trauma Responsive Care Certified through the Tri-State Trauma Network.

Bachelor of Social Work, Miami University
Licensed Social Worker, Ohio

Donnitta Thomas, SWT, is a Master of Social Work candidate at Miami University (expected May 2026) and a registered Social Work Trainee through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She is a member of Phi Alpha Tau Psi, the national social work honor society recognizing academic excellence and commitment to the values of the social work profession.

She currently serves as an intern at DBU Counseling Services, where she is deeply committed to empowering individuals and families through a client-centered approach that emphasizes personal strengths, resilience, and self-determination. Donnitta believes that every client possesses the tools needed for positive change, and her goal is to help them uncover and use those strengths to create meaningful solutions.

She earned her Associate of Arts degree cum laude from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College before graduating magna cum laude from Miami University with a dual Bachelor of Arts in English Studies and Psychological Science.

Specialty Areas:

• Adolescent Wellness and Development
• Spiritual and Faith-Integrated Wellness
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Support Groups