Group of 3 photos. First one two students in campus readling notes. Secnd one a student backpad on the floor. Third one Shane and Heidi speaking to students.

OUR MISSION

We help promising young people take charge of their lives and reach their greatest potential through college scholarships, mentorship, networking, and leadership training. The young people who go through our programs, in turn, inspire those around them - in their families, their neighborhoods, and their schools – to take charge of their futures.

We carry out this mission through the following dynamic programs:

Our Team

Shane Battier

Founder

As the Founder of Take Charge, Shane is actively involved in our daily operations, and is proud to take on an active mentoring role with the scholars in our programs.

Duke University, Religious Studies

Heidi Battier

Founder & Chief Program Officer

Heidi has dedicated herself to helping young leaders, through her work in education and volunteer positions with youth-focused organizations. Take Charge has become her passion – one she juggles while raising her two children.

Villanova University, Communications

Newell Fleming

Executive Director

Newell’s experience, drive, and ability to connect with people are qualities that make her so successful as the Executive Director of Take Charge. She’s been at the helm since day one, and epitomizes the foundation’s motto of “Do Well. Do Good."

University of Mississippi, English & Art History

Hannah Hays

Director of Programs

Hannah’s decade of experience in college access programming made her a perfect fit to run our first expansion Program in Camden, NJ. Her commitment to education enables her to connect with students across our programs and support them in pursuit of their goals.

Boston College, Higher Education Policy and Administration

Meet our TEAM

Our Academic and Community Partners

We are proud to partner with the following outstanding organizations to provide academic resources and opportunities to our scholars:

BTCF is proud to recognize KPMG as a valued partner in our mission to empower students through education, mentorship, and leadership development. Their dedication to investing in educational opportunity embodies the values that drive our work every day.

Thanks to KPMG’s support, we are able to expand our programs, offer more resources, and open new doors for the next generation of leaders. Extending beyond financial support, KPMG team members generously volunteer their time and expertise at key events such as the 2024 Battier Scholars Retreat. This partnership is a reflection of a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives.Together, we are helping students build brighter futures and making a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our Scholars through their college years and beyond.

This commitment drives results - 95% of our Battier Scholars have received their Bachelor’s Degree, and many have gone on to pursue graduate studies.

Meet our Scholars