OUR TEAM
“The strength of the team is each individual member.
Phil Jackson
Stephen Mackey
Founder, CEO
The founder and CEO of 2Words Character Development, Mackey has spent the last 10 years helping athletes and coaches connect the dots between sports and the game of life.
Bi-racial and born to a teenaged mother, Mackey beat the odds to become a first-generation college graduate, seminary trained-pastor, teacher, entrepreneur, and highly sought after communicator. Read his story.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The purpose of influence is to help those who have none.”
Rick Warren
Colton Leonard
President
As the President of 2Words Character Development, Colton is in the trenches on all fronts working to maximize 2W’s impact.
With a desire to serve, he is passionate about helping others reach the next level. Colton brings almost a decade of experience growing brands and building teams to 2Words. He played an integral part of helping previous businesses reach achievements such as Inc 5000, Aggie 100, and Top 5 Places to Work in Texas.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The price of excellence is discipline.”
William A. Ward
James Carbary
Head of Strategy
A founding partner in 2Words Character Development, and the Head of Strategy, James brings world-class leadership and a hunger for greater impact, to the 2Words team.
A successful entrepreneur, James has been featured in Time, Business Insider, Inc., The Huffington Post, and Forbes for his leadership and work.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The secret to success is no secret; it’s hard work.”
Alyssa McKinzie
Digital Marketing
As the Head of Digital Marketing, Alyssa encourages and equips coaches, athletes, and parents through our podcasts, social media, and marketing.
She gets fired up about caring for people in unexpected ways, the psychology of why people do what they do, and becoming the best at getting better.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“”The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.”
Chuck Palahniuk
Luke Turpin
Head of Production
As the Head of Production for 2Words Character Development, Luke tells our story.
Luke is an entrepreneur and world-traveler. He is passionate about helping people get in touch with and embrace their own unique stories, and is eager to challenge students in creative, as well as practical ways.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“It’s a wonderful world out there! Let’s go exploring!”
Windy Wike
Head of Operations
As the Head of Operations, Windy is the bridge between 2W and the Coaches we serve. She equips our coaches, athletes, and parents with the tools and resources they need to utilize the 2Words Curriculum to its fullest potential. In addition, Windy spearheads internal projects that take 2W to the next level of service, innovation, and organizational excellence.
With a background in education, she is passionate about helping student-athletes realize the full potential of who they were created to be.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Always keep your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you. That’s what the sunflowers do.”
Helen Keller
Dannah Pembelton
Head of Finance
As the Head of Finance for 2Words Character Development, Dannah is involved with almost anything that has a number on it. Keeping our books organized helps ensure that our impact is never stifled by mismanagement.
After graduating from Texas A&M, Dannah served as support staff for the State Legislature. Once having a family and discovering her love and gifting with finance, she has helped grow a local business from the ground up as Chief Financial Officer for more than a decade. Dannah brings more than 12 years of experience and is eager to use her talents to help 2W make a lasting impression on today’s youth.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Comparison Is the Thief of Joy.”
Theodore Roosevelt