Meet our team

Kevona Neel is a proud Cincinnati, Ohio native and currently serves as Principal for grades K-5 at Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy. A former student-athlete, her love for basketball opened doors to academic and professional opportunities across the country and helped shape her passion for education and leadership. Kevona attended Taft High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Education from Lincoln University (Missouri). She later earned her Master of Science in Athletic Administration from The Ohio University. She began her career in education as a Behavioral Intervention Specialist, supporting students throughout Cincinnati and building a strong foundation in student engagement and behavioral support. In 2018, she joined Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy (MAPA), where she has served in several impactful roles, including classroom teacher and Director of Academics, before stepping into school leadership. Inspired by her own high school teachers who were deeply invested in her growth both academically and personally, Kevona is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and structured learning environment where students are empowered to pursue excellence. She believes excellence is not about perfection, but about effort, ownership, resilience, and growth. Her vision is for every student to leave school confident, capable, and equipped with the skills to think critically, advocate for themselves, and navigate future opportunities with strength and self-belief. Kevona fosters a positive school culture by establishing clear expectations, promoting accountability, and investing in the professional growth of her teachers. She believes that when educators feel supported and confident, they create balanced classrooms that encourage creativity, engagement, and continuous growth for all. Outside of work, Kevona enjoys staying active through sports and coaching, traveling, spending time with family, and exploring Cincinnati-area parks with her dog.

Daryl Robinson is the Principal of Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy for grades 6-12, bringing over two decades of passion, leadership, and transformational impact to the field of education. With 17 years of direct experience in schools, Daryl has dedicated his career to helping young people discover their potential and develop the confidence to pursue it. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Management and Leadership and currently pursuing a master's degree in education leadership, Daryl combines strong organizational expertise with a deep commitment to student growth and achievement. His journey into education was inspired by a calling rooted in faith—an influence that continues to guide his leadership approach and decision-making. Prior to serving in school leadership, he worked as Dean of Students, where he developed a strong foundation in student development, school culture, and restorative practices. Beyond his role in school administration, Daryl is an Educator, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, CEO of Blue West Group, and soon-to-be published author. He is especially recognized for his work in Emotional Intelligence, a practice he has implemented for more than 20 years with students across ten countries, including the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. His core philosophy centers on love, respect, acceptance, and determination as transformative forces in education and life. Daryl’s vision for Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy is to cultivate a school environment where every student feels valued, understood, and empowered. He believes that academic excellence must be paired with emotional intelligence and character development to prepare students not only for assessments, but for lifelong success. By fostering authenticity, compassion, and collaboration among students, staff, and families, he strives to build a thriving school community rooted in excellence, empathy, and limitless possibility. Whether in the classroom, leading from the front office, or speaking to audiences around the world, Daryl’s mission remains the same: to inspire individuals to see themselves—and their potential—in a new and powerful light.

Jamie Brady joined ACCEL Schools in 2019 with over 20 years of experience as a K-12 educator, principal, director, charter school authorizer, and educational consultant. As Regional Vice President at ACCEL Schools, she oversees leadership development, instructional programming, operations, and strategic planning for multiple schools in Southern Ohio. Mrs. Brady holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University, a Master’s degree and Principal Certification in Educational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, and has completed all of her Ed.D. coursework through Walden University.  Mrs. Brady is an experienced leader with expertise and demonstrated mastery in coaching and development, budgeting and finance, instructional leadership, school turnaround, and board relations.