Compassion's Mission

The mission of Compassion Edge LLC is to empower students and support their transitional journey into scholars through personal development, peer-oriented programs and professional pathways.  Through tailored and persistent support, we illuminate the journey, nurture aspirations and foster resilience within a community built on empowerment and guidance.

 

Compassion's Vision

Our vision is driven by a student-centered commitment which focuses on each individual’s unique capacity to unlock their potential, bypass boundaries, and exceed expectations of the tradition educational experience.

Compassion's Story

Compassion Edge LLC was founded in February/March 2024 and is a heart heavy desire to create a cause and effect ripple in the educational transition experience of foster students.  Our paths crossed in 2014 during Leadership Lamar wherein we continued to work together in higher education.  With a rich history in student engagement and support services, we saw where students in foster care systems struggled to acclimate and adjust in the college setting.  The struggle was observed in all areas of growth where the students were not successful personally, academically or socially. As a result, we partner with communities to understand and close the gap where students or foster organizations need support for their transitional journey. 

Meet The Team

Robin Butler, M.Ed., NCC

Co-Founder

Robin Butler is a Professional School Counselor and National Certified Counselor who started her career as a Human Resource Specialist, before moving into counseling. Currently, she is employed with the third largest school district in the nation, Gwinnett County Public Schools.  Robin has also worked in the higher education arena (Gordon State College) helping adolescents navigate their college years. Driven by a mission to empower others, Robin has been involved in many community projects including but not limited to Leadership Lamar and Northeast GA Black Chamber of Commerce. As a Nationally Certified Counselor, she considers her “superpower” to be reconnecting people to themselves. 

In doing the tireless work of serving and helping others, Robin faced her own dilemma of professional burnout in Spring 2020;  coincidentally, this was at the same time the World was being disrupted by COVID. This unprecedented disruption produced the ideal environment for a personal and career “reset”.  With a passion for people and equality, she decided to reset through taking a real estate class after being inspired  by the "The Banker" movie on Apple TV.   She attended real estate school and obtained her real estate license; this quest for and acquisition of new knowledge fortified her entrepreneurship  instincts for independence to all.   

Armed  with her own personal development insights and experiences from counseling, Robin has discovered a niche to help others to connect to themselves, explore and leverage their natural talents and skills which can be an exponential benefit in the creation of personal economy.   Subsequently, she has returned to her career of professional counseling to continue efforts of empowering young adults to overcome trauma, develop self-confidence, identify multiple career options and apply strong decision making.

Tonya Coleman, Ed.D.

Co-Founder

Tonya R. Coleman is a life-long learner and  proponent of best practices within process and protocol.  She is a Valdosta State University graduate where she earned her bachelors of science in Administrative Services and Speech Language Pathology.  As a graduate assistant in the Intramural/Recreation Department and the MBA Program, she completed her masters of public administration degree at Valdosta State University while serving two terms as a Governor's Intern at Lowndes County DFACS. 

After graduation, she continued in higher education at then Gordon College (now Gordon State College) in student affairs/services. During this time, she was active in various administrative roles such as interim athletic director, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.  In 2018, she obtained her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University and currently holds the position of director of student engagement at the College of Coastal Georgia. 

As a learner in the system, she has also been active with committee and task force participation (Board of Regents VAWA Violence Against Women Act, Board of Regents Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute-ELI 2022).  With many interests, she is most committed to community causes and partnerships such as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society-Relay for Life, Communities in Schools-Henry County Advisory Board, and Leadership Lamar; these and many worthy causes  are close to her heart. Whether an individual or group goal, she believes in putting in the work so she can show up and support others in their pursuits of a better life personally and professionally.