At Prep & Me, we believe in the power of education to change lives and make a positive difference in the world. As part of an immigrant family, I have witnessed the way education lays a foundation for intergenerational social mobility, gaining professional and socioeconomic status, and bettering health, safety, and overall well-being. Worldwide, education continues to be a key driver in reducing poverty, supporting economic empowerment, improving life outcomes, and addressing ignorance, hate, and injustice. Prep & Me aims to be a part of this important education equation and provide the supports and resources that will allow our scholars to transcend the constraints of their financial circumstances, soar untethered to academic heights, and uplift their families and communities along the way.” – Lakshmi Jayaram, Executive Director

Lakshmi Jayaram, Ph.D., received her doctorate degree in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University with a focus on Education and Social Inequality. Dr. Jayaram has taught at several universities, served on education research teams funded by the National Science Foundation, and co-authored the book, Parenting in Privilege or Peril: How Social Inequality Enables or Derails the American Dream.

Prior to academia, Dr. Jayaram received her master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and served as a Presidential Management Fellow in Washington, DC with rotations at The White House, U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In addition, Dr. Jayaram has also taught Grades 9-12 and is a lifelong tutor, community volunteer, and avid reader.

As the new Executive Director of Prep & Me, Dr. Jayaram brings her knowledge, experience, and passion together to facilitate educational pathways for first-generation and under-represented students on their journey to college.

With over twenty years of experience in college counseling and university admissions, Fernando Rodrigues has led programs that help students prepare for and navigate higher education with clarity and confidence.

He knows firsthand how the right support can transform a student’s path, and is committed to providing every student with meaningful, data-informed and student-centered counseling.

Meet Ms. Jayda Miller, a dedicated youth mentor and educator committed to empowering young people academically, socially, and personally.

Ms. Miller completed her undergraduate studies in education from Florida A&M University and her graduate studies at the University of Florida, where she received her Masters of Education.

With her experience teaching and mentoring middle and high school students, founding student leadership groups, and supporting college and career readiness, Ms. Miller is passionate about helping youth build confidence, discover their purpose, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow and will be joining our team as a Prep&Me Mentor.

Lyndsey Rodriguez is Senior VP and OEM of Data Driven Holdings and VP OEM and Strategic Accounts for Team Velocity Marketing, Tier10.

Lyndsey Rodriguez is a leader, entrepreneur, and automotive native serving Team Velocity’s OEM and Enterprise Accounts. She is passionate about technology, the customer experience, and—above all—people, believing they are the foundation of every successful organization.

She is a co-founder of Werk and Me, an employee experience platform built on the belief that engaged employees create better client outcomes. Lyndsey also serves as co-chair of a women’s automotive board, focused on sharing industry trends, best practices, and human-capital insights, and works across all tiers of the automotive ecosystem to help perfect the customer experience.

At Team Velocity, Lyndsey leads the Philanthropy Pillar within the company’s Culture initiative and is a co-founder of Prep and Me, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering children by providing access to resources, mentorship, and experiences that help them build confidence, develop life skills, and reach their full potential. Her most important role is being a wife and mom to five boys—a role that includes master chef, head of laundry, Uber driver, biggest fan, and storyteller-in-chief.

Ankit Patel is a native of the Tampa Bay Area who grew up attending Hillsborough County Public Schools. He attended the University of South Florida as a first-generation college student, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2025 with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a BA in Sociology.

During his time at USF, Ankit conducted research in neuroscience, brain injury, and ischemic stroke, presenting his work at conferences across the country and internationally, and publishing in scientific journals.

Motivated by his upbringing, he developed a passion for giving back to students in need and now serves in leadership and board roles with PrepAndMe and other community-based organizations.

Kevin Norus grew up in Detroit, Michigan and moved to the West Coast of Florida at the age of 12.

Kevin graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising in 1988.

Kevin started with an automotive company right out of college, JM Family Enterprises, and retired from there after 34 years of service. Kevin started an automotive consulting company that is National is scope, in 2025, Engine One Dealer Consultants.

Kevin has been married to his wife Bernadette for 32 years and has 3 girls that all grew up and went to HS in the Tampa Area.

Blake Robinson is currently an Executive Senior VP for Bank of America. Where he focuses on Data, analytics and technology in the consumer and small business space.

Blake attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he studied software information systems and minored in criminal justice. Blake, his wife Kara and 8-year-old son Saint have been in Tampa for almost 6 years now.

Blake is an active member with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the BPG of Tampa. Through the use of athletics and a shared passion to help young people develop into successful adults, Blake and Kara have been involved in their communities for over 30+ years combined. The currently reside in south Tampa.

Patricia Steele is from a military family that came to the Tampa area when she was 7. She attended HCPS schools and graduated from King High School. After high school, Patricia went to the University of South Florida to become a teacher. She then continued at the University of South Florida to get her master’s degree to become a high school counselor.

She has been with the School District for 32 years. She taught for 2 years and then became a high school counselor. She has also been an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College for 17 years. She taught classes both at the high school where she worked and at the college campus. The class she taught prepares students for college, SLS 1106 (First Year Experience).

Patricia has worked with students from all walks of life and helped them get through high school as well as figure out their futures. Patricia has been married to David Steele for 26 years and they have one daughter, MacKenzie. 

Paul Juda began gymnastics at age five and trained under elite coaches in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He earned a full scholarship to the University of Michigan, where he completed a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Sales & Marketing certificate, a graduate credential in Real Estate Development, and a Master’s in Accounting from the Ross School—graduating with honors.

As a 3x team captain, Paul led Michigan to an NCAA Championship in his final season and earned four individual NCAA titles over multiple years. He also received the Nissen-Emery Award—the highest honor in collegiate men’s gymnastics. Internationally, he helped Team USA win bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After retiring from gymnastics, Paul began working in Tampa, Florida, as a finance analyst in the real estate development arm of the DeBartolo Family Office. He remains committed to pursuing a purpose-driven and well-rounded life beyond athletics.