Leadership Team
Lynne Borden, PhD
Dr. Borden serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Engagement at the University of Minnesota Extension. As the Principal Investigator of the CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance (PDTA) Center, she provides strategic oversight and administrative leadership for the entire project team.
Daniel Perkins, PhD
Dr. Perkins is a Professor of Family and Youth Resiliency and Policy at Penn State University and the Principal Scientist of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Since 1993, he has provided leadership for CYFAR grants, specializing in implementation science and evidence-based programming for military-connected environments. His scholarship integrates research and practice across family development and public-based delivery models. He is a recipient of the W.K. Kellogg Community Engagement Award and is dedicated to the applied mission of the land-grant university.
Mark Otto, MPA
Mr. Otto serves as a Co-PI for the CYFAR grant and as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the University of Minnesota Extension. With 25 years of experience in Land-Grant Extension systems, he specializes in the architecture of multi-agency partnerships and the fiscal oversight of high-impact initiatives. His operational intelligence philosophy focuses on creating the resource infrastructure necessary for faculty to thrive. He holds an MPA from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Phillip L. Ealy, PhD
Dr. Ealy serves as the Coaching Coordinator for the CYFAR PDTA Center, leveraging extensive experience as a retired Army officer to lead mentoring and instructional efforts. He specializes in workforce education and organizational change. Dr. Ealy holds a PhD in Workforce Education and Development and an MPS in Organization Development from Pennsylvania State University, and a BS from West Virginia State University.
Sarah Louise Butler
Ms. Butler serves as the Grant Program Associate for the CYFAR PDTA Center at the University of Minnesota. In this role, she manages administrative operations, and program logistics, ensuring the smooth execution of grant-funded activities.
Coaching Team
Kerri Ashurst, PhD
Dr. Ashurst is a Senior Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development at the University of Kentucky. She has over 27 years of experience with CYFAR, focusing on outreach and support systems for families. She holds a PhD in Family Sciences, an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kentucky.
Dawn E. Burton
Ms. Burton serves as the Assistant Director for Partnerships and Public Collaboration at Prairie View A&M University. She leads efforts to enhance organizational capacity and expand statewide impact through strategic engagement in 4-H, agriculture, and health programs. She holds a BS and MS in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University and is currently pursuing a PhD at Texas A&M University.
Cayla Taylor, PhD
Dr. Taylor is a 4-H Senior Educational Program Manager at Iowa State University. She oversees college and career readiness, youth outreach, and national educational efforts, while also leading scholarly outreach for federal grants. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Education and bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Family and Consumer Sciences from Iowa State University.
Autumn Cano-Guin, PhD
Dr. Cano-Guin is a Coach and Evaluation Consultant for the CYFAR PDTA Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University. She provides leadership in program design, qualitative research, and professional development for educators. A board-certified coach with 24 years of experience, she holds a PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis.
Pamela Payne, PhD
Dr. Payne is an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, specializing in family resilience and education. She has been a CYFAR Coach since 2019 and was recently elected President-Elect of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). She holds a PhD and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
Tyrone Atkinson
Mr. Atkinson is a Program Coordinator for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension at the University of Kentucky. Since 2007, he has focused on enhancing family well-being and building support networks, particularly for military-connected families. He holds a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences and an MS in Community and Leadership Development.
Crystal Tyler-Mackey, PhD
Dr. Tyler-Mackey is a specialist and leader with Virginia Cooperative Extension. She partners with public stakeholders to build capacity in leadership and decision-making, addressing critical needs such as food access and behavioral wellness. She holds a PhD and Master’s in Family Science from the University of Maryland and a BS from Virginia Tech.
Dorothy P. Brandon, PhD
Dr. Brandon is a Family and Finance Specialist for Alabama Cooperative Extension at Alabama A&M University. She has extensive international experience in Botswana and the U.A.E. Dr. Brandon holds a PhD and Master’s in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from The Ohio State University and a graduate certificate in Personal Finance from Kansas State University.