Lyssen is the Founder and Executive Director of My T.O.T.A.L. Me (My Time Out To Always Learn Me), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities through mentorship, leadership development, life-skills training, and community engagement.
Driven by a simple belief that exposure creates opportunity, Lyssen founded My T.O.T.A.L. Me to help people recognize their strengths, build confidence, and develop the vision needed to pursue their goals and reach their full potential. Her work is rooted in the understanding that positive experiences, meaningful relationships, and supportive environments can create lasting change for individuals, families, and communities.
As a certified Life and Accountability Coach, speaker, mentor, and community leader, Lyssen has collaborated with educators, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, parents, and city officials to develop initiatives that expand opportunities for youth and families. Her leadership experience includes organizing professional and community engagement initiatives through Harvard Business School Online’s San Francisco Chapter while supporting efforts that promote education, leadership development, family engagement, and community empowerment.
Under her leadership, My T.O.T.A.L. Me has developed programs that bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to foster confidence, accountability, communication, leadership, and personal growth. Through mentorship, enrichment programs, workshops, athletics, and community partnerships, the organization continues to create pathways for success and positive change.
Lyssen’s vision is simple yet powerful: to create opportunities that inspire growth, strengthen families, and transform communities for generations to come.
Travis Oscar serves as the Vice President of Community Operations for My T.O.T.A.L. Me, where he leads community engagement initiatives, mentorship programs, athletic development opportunities, and strategic partnerships that advance the organization’s mission of empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities.
A passionate mentor, coach, and community advocate, Travis is committed to helping young people recognize their potential and develop the confidence, discipline, and leadership skills needed to succeed both on and off the court. Through athletics, mentorship, and personal development, he creates pathways that inspire growth, accountability, resilience, and achievement.
Throughout his career, Travis has worked with individuals at every stage of development—from youth learning the fundamentals of the game to highly ranked high school and collegiate athletes, including NBA All-Stars. His unique ability to combine athletic development with mentorship and life-skills coaching has helped countless young people build confidence, strengthen character, and pursue opportunities for long-term success.
Beyond athletics, Travis has helped students access private high school and college scholarship opportunities while also supporting adults in identifying career paths that align with their passions, talents, and experiences. His commitment to creating opportunities extends beyond sports, focusing on helping individuals discover their strengths and build meaningful futures.
Through collaboration with schools, families, community organizations, and local leaders, Travis continues to develop programs and partnerships that expand access to mentorship, education, leadership development, and community engagement. His work reflects a simple but powerful belief: when people are given guidance, support, and opportunity, they can achieve far more than they ever imagined possible.
Board of Directors
My T.O.T.A.L. Me is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight, financial stewardship, governance leadership, and organizational accountability. Collectively, our board brings expertise in higher education, nonprofit governance, financial management, organizational compliance, community leadership, workforce development, and youth empowerment.
Through their diverse professional backgrounds and commitment to service, our board members help ensure that My T.O.T.A.L. Me remains mission-focused, fiscally responsible, and positioned to create meaningful and lasting impact within the communities we serve.
THERESA OSCAR
Board Member
Theresa Oscar is a higher education professional, student advocate, and community leader dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities and supporting student success. As Assistant Director of the Office of Educational Accessibility at Morehouse College, she works with students, families, faculty, and campus partners to ensure equitable access to resources, accommodations, and support services.
Specializing in transition planning for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans, Theresa helps students successfully navigate the path from high school to higher education while building the confidence, skills, and support systems needed for long-term success.
Her professional background includes service with the Circuit Court of Cook County, leadership experience managing an American Family Insurance branch, and extensive experience in customer service and community engagement. These roles have strengthened her expertise in advocacy, communication, problem-solving, and workforce readiness.
As a member of the My T.O.T.A.L. Me Board of Directors, Theresa provides valuable insight into educational accessibility, family engagement, and student success, helping advance the organization’s mission of empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities.
LATRICE DAVIS
Board Chair
Latrice Davis serves as Board Chair of My T.O.T.A.L. Me, providing strategic leadership, governance oversight, and organizational guidance that support the organization’s long-term growth and community impact. With extensive experience in operations management, leadership development, and community engagement, she helps ensure the organization remains mission-focused, accountable, and positioned to effectively serve youth, families, and communities.
Throughout her career, Latrice has demonstrated a strong commitment to building collaborative relationships, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and creating opportunities that empower individuals to reach their full potential. Her leadership style emphasizes accountability, integrity, strategic planning, and sustainable growth, helping organizations develop strong foundations for lasting success.
As Board Chair, Latrice works closely with executive leadership and fellow board members to provide oversight, support sound decision-making, and advance initiatives that align with the organization’s mission. Her expertise in operations, leadership, and community engagement contributes to the development of programs and partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for personal growth, educational advancement, and community transformation.
Latrice is passionate about empowering others, strengthening families, and fostering positive change through service, leadership, and community investment.
NEKESIA COX
Board Secretary
Nekesia Cox serves as Secretary of the My T.O.T.A.L. Me Board of Directors, bringing expertise in forensic accounting, organizational compliance, financial accountability, and governance. Her professional background provides valuable insight into risk management, operational oversight, and the financial stewardship necessary to support a strong and sustainable organization.
Throughout her career, Nekesia has demonstrated a commitment to integrity, accountability, and helping individuals make informed financial decisions. She is especially passionate about empowering women, strengthening families, and equipping young people with the financial literacy skills needed to build confident and successful futures. Through education, mentorship, and guidance, she advocates for creating opportunities that help individuals develop healthy financial habits, make informed choices, and achieve long-term stability.
Nekesia is dedicated to helping young women discover their purpose, recognize their potential, and navigate life’s opportunities and challenges with confidence. She believes that financial education and personal development are powerful tools for breaking barriers, building self-sufficiency, and creating generational impact within families and communities.
As a member of the My T.O.T.A.L. Me Board of Directors, Nekesia provides leadership in governance, compliance, and financial oversight while supporting initiatives that promote youth development, family empowerment, financial literacy, and community growth. Her passion for service and commitment to creating pathways for success help advance the organization’s mission of empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities.
NIVA TAUMOEPEAU
Treasurer
Niva Taumoepeau serves as Treasurer of the My T.O.T.A.L. Me Board of Directors, providing financial stewardship, governance leadership, and organizational oversight that support the organization’s continued growth and community impact. An experienced accounting professional and dedicated community advocate, she brings a strong foundation in financial accountability, nonprofit governance, and strategic leadership.
Throughout her years of service, Niva has held numerous leadership positions within nonprofit and youth-serving organizations, including serving as PTA Council President and holding various board positions supporting youth sports programs and community initiatives. Her extensive experience working alongside schools, families, educators, and community leaders has helped strengthen programs that promote youth development, family engagement, and educational success.
A highly engaged leader within her local school district, Niva is recognized for her commitment to service, collaboration, and advocacy on behalf of students and families. Her contributions have earned her multiple awards and recognitions for leadership, volunteerism, and community impact, reflecting her dedication to creating positive opportunities for young people and the communities they serve.
As Treasurer, Niva helps ensure My T.O.T.A.L. Me maintains strong financial practices, responsible stewardship of resources, and sound organizational governance. Her expertise in nonprofit leadership, financial oversight, and community engagement supports the organization’s mission of empowering individuals, strengthening families, and transforming communities through education, mentorship, leadership development, and service.
Niva is passionate about creating pathways for success and believes that strong communities are built through collaboration, opportunity, and a shared commitment to helping others reach their full potential.
My T.O.T.A.L. Me 