Guided by expertise. Grounded in lived experience.
Surface to Success is guided by a board of directors whose expertise spans clinical mental health, finance, marine industry leadership, and academic research — but whose commitment to this mission runs deeper than credentials alone. Founder Chrysanthus Thomas, along with board members Dr. Renford Reese, Sara Rodriguez, and Jordan Liu, share a connection through Cal Poly Pomona's Project Rebound program and the Reintegration Academy, communities dedicated to supporting system-impacted individuals on their path through higher education and reintegration. This shared foundation informs every aspect of how Surface to Success approaches its work: not as outside observers, but as people invested — personally and professionally — in proving that transformation is possible.
Founder & President
Chrysanthus brings more than 15 years of experience in operations and organizational leadership to Surface to Success. His own connection to the healing power of scuba diving inspired him to found the organization, combining his operational expertise with a deep commitment to helping justice-impacted individuals reclaim their lives through certification training, counseling, and career pathways in the marine industry.
Vice President
Dr. Reese is a professor at Cal Poly Pomona and the founder of the Prison Education Project and Reintegration Academy, initiatives dedicated to expanding educational access and successful reentry for justice-impacted individuals. He is the author of several books examining criminal justice and reintegration, and brings deep academic and programmatic expertise in reentry work to Surface to Success's board.
Treasurer
Jordan holds a Doctor of Business Administration at the University of La Verne, alongside a Master of Business Administration at Cal Poly Pomona — building on his undergraduate degree in Business Administration, also from Cal Poly Pomona. Through his engagement with Project Rebound, Jordan is a committed advocate for system-impacted students pursuing advanced academic and professional paths. As Treasurer, he brings rigorous financial expertise and a deep alignment with Surface to Success's reintegration mission to the board.
Secretary
Dr. Thomas is a licensed mental health professional who leads the trauma-informed counseling component of Surface to Success's program. Dr. Thomas holds a Doctor of Social Work from California Baptist University and brings both clinical expertise and a faith-centered approach to her work, supporting participants not only through evidence-based therapeutic practice but through a deeper sense of purpose and renewal as they rebuild their lives.
Board Member, Community Advocate
Sara brings a uniquely personal understanding of the reentry journey to Surface to Success. She found community with fellow system-impacted students through Project Rebound at Cal Poly Pomona before going on to earn her graduate social work degree at UCLA. She is an active advocate for formerly incarcerated students and has spoken publicly about the barriers system-impacted individuals continue to face — insight that directly shapes Surface to Success's participant-centered approach.
Board Member, PADI Master Instructor
Douglas is a PADI Course Director and Certified Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and serves as the SCUBA Dive Center Manager at Cal Poly Pomona's Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex. He has spent his career making diving accessible to all skill levels and has contributed to international marine conservation work. Douglas leads Surface to Success's dive training standards, ensuring every participant receives safe, professional, and empowering instruction on the path to certification.
Board Member, Rehabilitation Advisor
Wesley “Two Scoops” Berry is a three‑time American Gladiators champion whose life embodies resilience and transformation. After surviving a catastrophic accident that left him with severe burns over half his body, Wesley rebuilt his life with extraordinary determination and now inspires others as a nationally recognized motivational speaker. His lived experience, message of second chances, and deep commitment to personal growth align directly with Surface to Success’s mission, making him a powerful guide for participants as they navigate healing, confidence, and reintegration.
Board Member, Marine-Industry Representative
Angela is a certified PADI Diver and biology scholar with hands-on experience across Southern California's diving industry, including work at Beach Cities Scuba where she gained specialized training in modern dive equipment. She also holds a Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) certification. This combination of recreational and technical dive credentials, paired with her background in marine science and field research, gives Surface to Success deep industry expertise. At Surface to Success, Angela leads the organization's employer connections, helping cohort participants translate their certification into real marine-industry job placements.
Interested in supporting Surface to Success as a board member, advisor, or partner? We'd love to hear from you.
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