Meet the Team
The dedicated individuals behind Stone Academy’s mission
Tamiza Hockenhull Stone
Tamiza Hockenhull Stone is the President of the Board of Directors at Stone Academy and a Judge of the Alameda County Superior Court. Previously, she served as a Superior Court Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge, Adjunct Professor, Deputy City Attorney in San Francisco, and Director of a Court Appointed Program while managing her law firm. She has also been a volunteer board member of the Charles Houston Bar Association and Earl Warren Inns of Court (Past President). A dedicated advocate for the special needs community, Tamiza has spent over a decade volunteering to support children with exceptional needs and their families. Her work is driven by her personal experience as a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum.
Angelo Stone
Angelo Stone is a founding Board Member and the Chief Financial Officer of Stone Academy, a 501(c)(3) charity. With a career spanning sales, finance, executive leadership, and community engagement, Mr. Stone brings extensive experience to his role. As the father of a child on the Autism Spectrum, he is deeply committed to advocating for children with exceptional needs and their families. Mr. Stone focuses on identifying and creating resources to support this community, dedicating his efforts to fostering meaningful change and inclusion.
Valerie Brown
Valerie Brown is the Vice President of Quality, Enterprise Learning, and EHS at Thermo Fisher Scientific, leading the Global Quality team in CRG. With over 25 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, she specializes in quality assurance, manufacturing, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance at Gilead Sciences, where she oversaw quality and compliance for clinical and commercial drug manufacturing, including APIs, finished dosage forms, medical devices, and biologics. Valerie holds a BS in Biology and Chemistry and a Master’s in Healthcare Management.
Cherice Daniels
Cherice Daniels is an experienced IT Project Manager with a strong background in project management, analysis, and training. A proud Bay Area native and Howard University graduate, Cherice is deeply committed to community service. She actively volunteers with programs that promote early STEM education, literacy, and food security through the Alameda County Food Bank. Driven by the belief that every child deserves a safe, supportive learning environment tailored to their individual needs, Cherice is passionate about fostering opportunities for children to grow and thrive.
Asha Ward
Asha Ward is a dedicated school teacher with a strong foundation in education and curriculum development. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis in 2016 and a Master’s in Education with a teaching credential from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute and Mentorship Program in 2022. Asha is passionate about literacy intervention, individualized learning, and employing multimodality teaching methods to help every child excel academically. She has also contributed her expertise by serving on curriculum committees for three independent schools.
Rickey Bradley
Since becoming a Licensed Real Estate Broker in 2018, Rickey Bradley has served as the Principal Broker at Ardent Advisors. In addition to this role, Rickey is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Key Community Housing, a nonprofit organization focused on housing solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Passionate about community service, Rickey is dedicated to supporting children and families in need through meaningful contributions and advocacy.
Taalib Smith
Taalib Smith, a Dominican University graduate in Psychology and Social Justice, serves as the Lead Teacher of the Special Needs Program at Stone Academy. With experience teaching in Marin County schools and coaching gymnastics, he brings a deep understanding of working with children of diverse abilities. Known for his patience and empathy, Mr. Smith celebrates students’ strengths while supporting their individual growth. He works closely with therapeutic staff to foster a supportive environment where students thrive at their own pace. His dedication and connection to his students make him a vital part of Stone Academy.