(she, her, hers) Eshawn Peterson, MBA, is the Founder, CEO & President of Onward Hope, Inc. and is an alumni of foster care. Ms. Peterson, who spent 9 years in the Arizona foster care system, is a former foster parent, and an advocate for youth in and from foster care. She has served as the Chair and Chapter Liaison of Foster Care Alumni of America- AZ Chapter for several years. Ms. Peterson has achieved academic successes with a BA from the University of Arizona, an MBA from University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Services. She is passionate about working with youth and young adults in and from foster care. Ms. Peterson is a Child Welfare consultant, and is certified in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She is a certified Life/Transitional Coach, Executive Coach, Organizational Development Coach. Lastly, Ms. Peterson is a dynamic Lobbyist, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Creative, Author, and Trainer of several child welfare and youth focused curriculums, such as Youth Thrive. With over 13 years of professional child welfare experience, Ms. Peterson has developed and implemented dynamic programs and policies that directly impact child welfare outcomes for youth in and from foster care. Ms. Peterson founded, in March 2014, Onward Hope, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit Child Welfare Agency, that focuses on the successful transition and support of at-risk youth and youth in and from foster care, in a trauma-informed environment, as well as finding permanency through family foster care and adoption, family preservation programs, and training child welfare/human services professionals. Her agency is launching transitional housing and offers unique transition facilitation services to youth aging out between the ages of 14-29. Outside of her duties at Onward Hope, Inc. she is a mother of 4 wonderful children and is a member of the community-service focused organization, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She is involved in the Greater Phoenix Urban League of Young Professionals. She has mentored three youth in foster care. She was a licensed foster parent as well. She served as a member and supporter of Foster Care Alumni of America- Arizona Chapter since 2008. Ms. Peterson finally found permanency as an adult, when she was adopted in July 2019 by her former foster parents.