Marston / About Us
Who We Are
The Marston Foundation is a mission-driven nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to economic opportunity through wellness, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. The organization develops service-enriched community models that combine physical space, programming, and partnerships to address systemic gaps in access to resources, support, and economic mobility.
We partner with local and national organizations, faith communities, and development partners to turn underutilized resources into long-term opportunity, stable housing, education, and pathways into skilled trades.
Mission Statement
To empower underserved communities by expanding access to wellness services, workforce development, and entrepreneurship opportunities through a sustainable, service-enriched business center that promotes economic mobility, personal well-being, and community revitalization.
Core Values
Community-Centered Impact
Stewardship
Equity & Access
Innovation
Collaboration
Excellence
Empowerment
Cultural Respect
Founder Story
The Marston Foundation was founded on the belief that investment, partnership, and community can produce lasting opportunity. Our founders bring decades of combined experience across infrastructure, development, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver projects that strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity.
Tatum Martin
Founder
Tatum Martin is an entrepreneur and developer with experience in infrastructure, manufacturing, distribution, technology, and community-focused real estate initiatives. Throughout his career, he has worked on projects that connect investment and development with long-term community impact.
Martin has been involved in development and infrastructure initiatives across multiple regions of the United States and has worked with public and private partners to bring projects from concept to reality. His work emphasizes practical solutions that help unlock opportunity for communities while creating sustainable economic development.
Through the Marston Foundation, Martin focuses on initiatives that bring together community leaders, organizations, and development partners to support projects that strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity.
Greg Johnston
Founder
Greg Johnston brings extensive experience in business, development partnerships, and strategic project collaboration. Johnston has worked alongside Martin on multiple initiatives focused on identifying opportunities where investment and community partnership can produce meaningful results.
His work has centered on building relationships with stakeholders and helping structure projects that align public interests with private investment. Johnston’s collaborative approach has been instrumental in helping the Marston Foundation establish partnerships that support its mission.
Leadership
The people who run the Marston Foundation day to day. Board membership and advisory committees are listed under Governance.
Leadership Team
Dr. Dana Alexander-Porter
Executive Director
Dr. Dana Alexander-Porter is an experienced nonprofit leader with over 28 years of management and leadership experience, known for driving impactful programs and strengthening community-based organizations. She has successfully supported and advised nonprofits in achieving sustainability and growth, helping secure over $5 million in grant funding.
Her expertise spans organizational leadership, compliance, program development, and strategic planning, supported by certifications as a Risk Management and Compliance Specialist, Six Sigma White Belt, and completion of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship Certification at Florida State University.
Dr. Alexander-Porter holds a Juris Doctor (JD), Juris Magister, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Business Leadership and Management, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Management, Bachelor of Science in Christian Education in Leadership, and an Associate of Science in Business Administration.
Joan Gummels
Grants & Research Specialist
Joan Gummels serves as Grants & Research Specialist for the Marston Foundation. She bridges over 27 years of public sector legal expertise, regulatory oversight, and health advocacy to advance the foundation's housing-as-healthcare initiatives.
Joan leverages her background in state administration and non-profit leadership to ensure institutional integrity, strengthen strategic partnerships, and expand resident-centered health outcomes. Having served as General Counsel for the Missouri Attorney General's Office and Senior Legal Counsel for the State Auditor's Office, she brings extensive experience in statutory compliance, administrative policy, and governmental oversight. As Board President of St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) and Advocate Leader for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), Joan has championed systemic healthcare legislation, medical student education, and direct financial relief programs for patients.
Joan holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The University of Kansas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mundelein College.
Kevin Rodriguez
Donor Engagement · Lead Hospitality Trainer & Program Director
Kevin Rodriguez handles Donor Engagement and serves as Lead Hospitality Trainer & Program Director for the Marston Foundation. He bridges hands-on vocational development with community outreach to build and scale the foundation's workforce initiatives.
Kevin leads the hospitality training program, which pairs online coursework through Marston University with live, in-person lessons hosted in a commercial kitchen in partnership with a local non-profit. Developed through Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funding, the program provides hands-on instruction in kitchen operations, front-of-house service, POS systems, and industry certifications (ServSafe® and AHLEI CHT®). Alongside his training role, Kevin drives donor engagement and collaborates with partners like HOPE to support students and secure placement pipelines. He is also guiding the expansion into a new food-hall style training incubator currently under development in Kansas City.
Kevin holds a B.B.A. in Human Resources Management (Magna Cum Laude) from Florida International University.
Governance
The Marston Foundation is governed by its Board of Directors and supported by two regional Advisory Committees, based in Kansas and Fort Lauderdale, whose members provide strategic direction, oversight, and subject-matter expertise across our mission areas.
Board of Directors
Tatum Martin
Chairman
Greg Johnston
Director
Transparency
Legal entity
Marston Foundation
EIN
92-0696589
Tax status
501(c)(3) public charity — IRS determination May 2023
Annual returns (Form 990)
Form 990-EZ filed for FY2023 and FY2024. Copies are available from the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search by EIN.
The Marston Pathways Initiative
A Wellness & Business Center model designed to create access to resources, opportunity, and economic mobility through four integrated program areas: wellness, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community activation.
Learn More