Unleash Intelligence

Nguyen Pham joined Mensa in 2010 and quickly became involved in the Mensa Foundation. He served as Secretary before becoming President in 2024, the first person of color and first openly LGBTQ+ individual in this role.

Nguyen has raised over $4 million for charitable causes, including as President Emeritus of San Francisco Pride. Professionally, he leads philanthropic efforts in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community.

Nguyen holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an MBA from San Francisco State University. His leadership exemplifies the Mensa Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and impact.

Jennifer Wise was named to the Mensa Foundation board in 2017 and where she currently serves as Vice President. Professionally, she is a content writer and editor, and she holds a master’s in literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

A second-generation Mensa member, Jennifer has served, Scholarship Chair at the local and regional levels, scholarship Volunteer Coordinator, Young Ms Coordinator, and GenY Coordinator. She was given the honor of having a scholarship named after her for the 2018 scholarship season.

Michelle Rakshys is the Treasurer of the Mensa Foundation and Vice President at Cadence Leadership and Communication. She is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and workshop leader with a 20+ year corporate career, including roles at Amazon and Oracle.

Michelle has held leadership positions with Women@Amazon and AnitaB.org, supporting women in tech. She earned her master’s from New York University and her bachelor’s from King’s College.

Michelle applies her expertise to help the Mensa Foundation achieve its mission of empowering intelligence to create a brighter future.

Billie Lee has held leadership positions in American Mensa for over 14 years, including serving as Second Vice Chair. As Chair of the Gifted Youth Committee, she guided policy on youth programs and safety.

A web strategy and development leader, Billie works at the intersection of technology and marketing for enterprise SaaS companies. She applies her expertise to support the Mensa Foundation’s mission of fostering intelligence for the betterment of society.

Charlie Steinhice, a Chattanooga, Tenn., resident and Mensa member for over 25 years, served as President of the Mensa Foundation from 2020 to 2024. He currently works as a Business Analytics Manager at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

Charlie has served as Scholarship Chair for Chattanooga Mensa and as a Proctor. He also volunteers with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, currently as Advocacy Chair for Tennessee.

A former Jeopardy! contestant and Quizbowl coach, Charlie holds a master’s in Library and Information Science and a graduate certificate in Biomedical Informatics. His curiosity and dedication fuel his commitment to the Mensa Foundation’s mission.

First joining American Mensa in 1996, Dr. Papa is a member of the Central Indiana Mensa chapter. He has a rich association with education and with the community of Zionsville, Ind., where besides serving as its first mayor, he has served as President of the Town Council and President of the Board of Police Commissioners. He is president of the Youth Enhancement Training Initiative, Inc., which operates an orphanage in Nepal, and serves on the Zionsville Community Schools Board of Trustees.

After earning his B.S. from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and M.A. from Ball State University, Dr. Papa received his Ph.D. in Education Leadership and Administration from Indiana State University, as well as a graduate certificate in Higher Ed and Student Affairs from IU-Bloomington. He has also completed the Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership at Marian University.

Dr. Papa previously was an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg, practicing immigration law, and served two terms as chair of the Indiana chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association, as well as two terms on the national board of governors of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. A distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, Dr. Papa earned his J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, as well as an LL.M. degree concentrated in intellectual property law.

Diarra Edwards is a corporate restructuring attorney at Kirkland & Ellis in New York, NY. Before her legal career, Diarra was a filmmaker, adopting the nickname “Di” on television and film sets where she honed her craft.

A dedicated member of Greater New York Mensa (GNYM), Diarra became the Bronx and Westchester Area Coordinator in 2023, fostering engagement within the New York Mensa community. She also represented her chapter in the 2023 Misster Mensa pageant, earning first runner-up honors.

Beyond Mensa, Diarra has served for six years as a local and regional administrator for the Buy Nothing Project, where she contributed to national policy development and local outreach initiatives.

Diarra holds degrees from New York University School of Law and Washington University in St. Louis and is an alumna of Management Leadership for Tomorrow and Prep for Prep. Her creativity, commitment to service, and values of justice and compassion make her a valued contributor to the Mensa Foundation.

Dr. Ryan Donlan is a Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University, teaching at the Ph.D., Ed.S., and M.Ed. levels. Before academia, Ryan spent 20 years in K–12 education as a Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher.

Ryan serves as Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Mensa Research Journal and as a Leadership Specialist for the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute. An author and speaker, he has presented internationally on education and leadership topics.

Ryan’s dedication to fostering intelligence in all its forms drives his contributions to the Mensa Foundation.

Matthew Guggemos is a speech-language pathologist, autism specialist, and musician who combines his expertise in communication sciences, technology, and education to create innovative tools that empower individuals. As co-founder and CTO of iTherapy, he has developed AI-driven solutions, including InnerVoice and the Evaluative Artificial Speech Intelligence Autism Screener (EASI-AS), which advance accessibility and support neurodivergent individuals.

Matthew’s work extends beyond technology development; he collaborates with organizations like Microsoft, SNAP, and LEGO to create inclusive tools that bridge the gap between innovation and impact. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, he integrates his lived experience with Tourette syndrome to inspire solutions that enhance communication and learning. He also serves on the board of the American Society for AI.

Jill Beckham leads the Mensa Foundation with a blend of visionary leadership and hands-on management. Collaborating closely with the Board of Trustees and various committees to shape strategic initiatives and spearhead new programs that align with the Foundation’s mission.

Jill also oversees the day-to-day operations, including budget management and resource allocation, ensuring the Foundation operates efficiently and effectively. With a strong commitment to advancing the intellectual pursuits of its constituents and the broader community, she fosters a spirit of collaboration and excellence in all the Foundation’s endeavors.

Jill is honored to guide the Foundation in its mission to unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

John Thompson is a strategic nonprofit leader who excels at driving meaningful change. As the Mensa Foundation’s first full-time staff member dedicated to fundraising, John encouraged the board to think boldly and adopt a more proactive approach to their efforts. Over time, his role expanded to encompass all external initiatives, including fundraising, marketing, communications, and programming.

With a proven ability to transform visionary ideas into actionable strategies, John’s leadership has inspired the Mensa Foundation to chart an ambitious 20-year vision. Known for his authentic approach to relationship-building, he cultivates lasting partnerships that amplify the Foundation’s reach and impact.

John earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Mississippi State University. By blending creativity, collaboration, and a deep passion for empowering others, John’s work exemplifies a commitment to shaping a brighter future for all.