This is a replay from Season 2. Dr. Tiese Roxbury, former NCAA Executive and current Executive Director of Student Success & Retention for Bennett College, joined A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

Jenae Rogers is a Partnership Marketing Activation Coordinator for the Memphis Grizzlies, specializing in the execution of integrated brand partnerships across digital, in-arena, and community platforms. She leads the coordination and delivery of partnership activations, ensuring each campaign aligns with strategic objectives and delivers measurable value.

In her role, she manages campaign implementation, oversees partner deliverables, and collaborates cross-functionally to bring creative concepts to life while maintaining strong partner relationships.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management from Temple University, Class of 2023, and a Master of Science in Sport and Leisure Studies from the University of Memphis, Class of 2025.

Jenae's experience includes internships with the Center for Athletic Academic Services (CAAS) at the University of Memphis and as an Undergraduate Enrollment Intern within Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management. She also interned with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, supporting Corporate Sales and Premium Services.

She is passionate about elevating partner brands, enhancing fan engagement, and executing high-impact marketing programs in fast-paced, results-driven environments.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

LaKendra Phillips – Footwear Designer I Ole Miss Alum I Former Collegiate Women’s Basketball Player I Sister in Sole

LaKendra Phillips is a rising talent in the world of footwear design, known for her unwavering dedication, creative spirit, and tireless drive to break boundaries in a competitive industry. With a deep passion for women's basketball footwear and a commitment to innovation, LaKendra has made her mark by fusing storytelling, performance, and style into every design she creates.

A proud alumna of several prestigious programs, LaKendra has completed multiple courses. From hands-on experience at the Shoe Surgeon Academy to earning her place as an esteemed SOLEcial Studies alumna (special thanks to Sean Williams), LaKendra has continually invested in her craft. She expanded her knowledge through the F.I.T. x Yellowbrick Sneaker Essentials program, the New Balance x PLC Women's Basketball Masterclass at Pensole Lewis College in Detroit, and most recently added Product Development at Lasell University to her growing list of credentials. Currently, she is enrolled in the Sole Design Masterclass by DeFne Yalkut — deepening her sole skills and learning professional sole design from concept to factory-ready — further solidifying her position as a forward-thinking force in women's performance footwear.

Her journey is a testament to what can be achieved through a blend of passion, perseverance, and hard work. By day, she operates as a Distribution Supervisor; by night, she transforms into the creative force behind her designs. She dared to dream big—and backed those dreams with hard work, late nights, and a refusal to settle. A proud member of the Sisters in Sole community and an inspiring creative whose innovative designs and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her growing recognition. Though her journey is still unfolding, her impact is already being felt. With every step forward, she continues to carve a space for herself in an ever-evolving industry.

Guided by the wisdom and support of her mentors, Krystal Fortune Gonzalez of Empower Her Sole LLC and Sean Williams of SOLEcial Studies. LaKendra moves with purpose and confidence while envisioning the future of women's basketball footwear. She stands as a bold example of what it means to lead with vision, heart, and purpose — and we can't wait to see what she does next.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 4 (Oct 2017). Dr. Monique Carroll was Associate AD for External Operations at Chicago State University at the time of this interview. She is currently Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Chicago State.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 8 (April 2022). Toni-Ann Derby was Assistant Director, Championships, Sport Operations and Governance for the West Coast Conference when this interview aired. She is currently Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Chief of Staff at Austin Peay State University.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

Ashley Danielle is the Founder and Executive Director of ABC Sports Foundation, which provides nonprofit creation, program management, branding, PR, and event logistics services to high school, collegiate and current and former professional athletes, supporting them in making an impact in their communities.  She is also the newest member of the HPSS Department as an Associate Professor and a graduate of Tennessee State University.

As a Nashville native, her career spans professional dance, including roles as a Nashville Predators dancer and Titans Cheerleader. With over a decade in the sports industry, Ashley has worked with organizations like ESPN Radio and A3 Athletics, excelling in community relations and marketing.

Holding a law degree and a Master’s in Sport Management from TSU, she leverages her expertise in marketing strategies, event management, and fan engagement to shape a dynamic career bridging arts and sports.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay. Dr. Jolisa Williams, former Asst. AD of Media Relations and current Interim VP of Athletics & Recreation for Bowie State University, joins A Chat in the Garden.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

Vanessa Hale is a Certified Athletic Trainer who has been certified since July 2020 and is in her fifth year as a clinician.

Originally from Los Angeles California, Vanessa’s interest in athletic training began in high school. She attended Culver City High School all four years and graduated in June 2012. Vanessa started her tenure as a student aide her sophomore year working with football and track & field. After graduating, she attended the University of Oregon at the start of her college career.

Vanessa transferred to Howard University in August 2014, after two years at the University of Oregon. During her three and a half years at Howard, she worked with football, track & field, and men's & women's tennis on occasion, as a student athletic trainer. She graduated from Howard with a B.S. in Human Performance December 2017. After graduating, Vanessa began her Master’s program at the University of Houston in June 2018. During her time in the program, she worked with UH football and men’s basketball. In addition, she expanded her experience to volleyball, baseball, and men's & women's soccer through a year-round clinical rotation at the University of St. Thomas (Houston).  Rice football and surgical observation were notable experiences through other clinical rotations. 
 
After graduating with a Master’s in Athletic Training in May 2020, she faced some of the challenges COVID-19 presented among athletics. Her first position as a certified athletic trainer was with Clark Atlanta University as the Associate Athletic Trainer in August 2021. Her tenure at CAU included working primarily with football, men's and women's basketball, and softball. During her second year she restarted the student aide program. After three years and a '23-'24 MBB conference championship, she left as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer to continue her journey as the Head Football Athletic Trainer at Norfolk State University in July 2024. 

In her current role, Vanessa has revitalized the student aide program at NSU and helped reshape the Sports Medicine department as a whole.
 
She also holds Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), and Functional Dry Needling Level 1 (FDN1) certifications, along with her national certification and state licensure. She looks to further her knowledge though obtaining certifications in manual therapy and performance enhancement.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 2. At the time of the interview, Angie Torain was Deputy AD at Immaculate Word. She went on to become the Athletics Director at University of Chicago. She is currently the Senior Business Development Executive for Teamworks.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.

This episode is a replay from Season 3. Dr. Melody Webb, Director of Athletics for Norfolk State University, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 12. Seasons 1 - 11 can be found on 200plus.expert.