Board of Advisors

Mrs. Quarles is a passionate healthcare educator, maternal health advocate, and community leader dedicated to advancing equity and wellness in underserved communities. She currently serves as the Program Director of Medical Assisting at ECPI University in Greenville, SC, where she mentors aspiring healthcare professionals, oversees academic programming, and supports student success through education and empowerment.

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Lakesha is the founder of Sunflower Births, a holistic birth and wellness organization offering doula services, placenta encapsulation training, childbirth education, and advocacy—particularly for Black and Brown mothers navigating systemic barriers in maternal healthcare.

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She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA) with a minor in Health Information Management, a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Health Administration (DHA) with research focused on reducing racial disparities in childbirth outcomes. In addition to her academic achievements, Lakesha is nationally credentialed as both a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Her mission is to bridge healthcare education, maternal health advocacy, and community service—creating a lasting impact through leadership, compassion, and purpose-driven work.

Jevon Wooden, CEO and Founder of BrightMind Consulting Group, is a dynamic speaker, certified coach, and business consultant specializing in empathetic leadership, emotional intelligence, and workplace culture. He is the author of two books, including From Functional to Phenomenal: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Transforming Your Leadership and Business, where he shares his 5Y Framework to help leaders and entrepreneurs achieve clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth.

A Bronze Star recipient and U.S. Army Veteran, Jevon brings a unique blend of resilience, authenticity and strategic thinking to his engagements. His ability to translate real-world experiences into actionable insights, makes him a sought-after speaker for organizations looking to enhance leadership effectiveness, team performance and business growth.

Jevon’s expertise has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Fast Company; solidifying his reputation as a trusted voice in leadership, development and business strategy. Whether through keynote speaking, executive coaching, or consulting, Jevon is committed to helping leaders and businesses unlock their full potential.

With over twenty years of experience in the banking industry, ​Mrs. Sonjinika Y. Medlock has developed a deep understanding of financial services, customer relations and strategic management.  Mrs. Medlock has held leadership roles with Bank of America, serving as a trainer in Bank Operations & Analyst in Corporate Merchant banking.  As the first Black woman appointed as a Branch manager of a Navy Federal Credit Union in Italy, she broke ground in leadership and diversity. 

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She currently holds the position as Branch Manager for Self Help Credit Union in Salisbury, North Carolina. Her dedication to community engagement, mentoring and team leadership roles shape the credit union's culture and impact. She's dedicated to empowering people in marginalized communities by teaching financial literacy and providing resources that promote financial confidence, stability and long-term success. Before the merger with Self Help Credit Union, she was part of the first Black-owned credit union in North Carolina...First Legacy Community Credit Union, where she contributed to the mission of serving and uplifting the community. 

She has earned certifications as a Bank Secrecy Officer, Hero Community Development, Financial Counseling, FICO Score Reviewer and Notary. She attended the University of South Carolina and has a Associate & Bachelor's Degree from Strayer University. She resides in Concord, NC, is a proud mother of four children and is the widow of a Navy Veteran.

Dr. Kelli Hill is an Assistant Professor of Psychology with a dual role in Human Development. Her teaching and research spans over a decade, with courses taught in local communities and higher education. In addition, Dr. Hill has worked for private and non-profit organizations on projects focusing on building self-efficacy through socialization, substance abuse prevention, mental health education, and gender-based health disparities.

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Dr. Hill’s current research centers around the social impacts on adolescent development, which

includes a broad study of parent—child socialization, self-efficacy, learned helplessness, and learning outcomes. Her goal is to bring awareness to more positive youth development and to create more resources for youth to improve their social and academic well-being.

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Dr. Hill obtain her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Prior she also earned her M.S., Psychology from Howard University as well in Washington, D.C. Dr. Hill obtain her B.A., Psychology, from the Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Ashley Priester is a results-driven professional known for her strategic insight, relationship management, and commitment to empowering others through financial education. Her career spans roles in corporate finance, trust operations, and personal financial planning — blending analytical precision with a people-first approach.

Ashley began her journey as a Corporate Trust Analyst with Bank of New York Mellon, later advancing to Fund Accountant II at Invesco, where she managed complex reconciliations, compliance reporting, and SEC-driven fund operations. She went on to lead a team as Sales Director with Financial Education Services, expanding financial literacy initiatives and coaching a team of 15 across new territories.

Most recently, as a Financial Services Professional with New York Life Insurance Company, Ashley helped individuals, families, and businesses build financial security by developing personalized strategies aligned with their life goals. A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Ashley holds her licensed in Life, Health, and Accidental Death Insurance by the Texas Department of Insurance.

Recognized for her professionalism, integrity, and leadership, Ashley is passionate about helping others make informed financial decisions while fostering long-term stability and growth.

Mr. Carl Barnes is a Registered Dietitian who has always been driven to give back to the future of the dietetics profession. After 12 years in the United States Army, he went on to found RD2BE, a professional resource for nutrition students. RD2BE was born from years of programs and projects providing value to nutrition students with the hope of empowering, educating, and inspiring future Registered Dietitians.

He is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science, Foods and Nutrition. He also received a Master’s of Science degree from Baylor University in Nutrition.

Joyce Watson is a dedicated and passionate educator currently serving as a Teacher Assistant at Calhoun County High School, where she works daily to make a meaningful impact in the lives of her students. Her commitment to education and student success has been recognized through her recent honor as Support Staff of the Year, reflecting her hard work, compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving others.

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Beyond the classroom, Joyce is actively involved in athletics as an assistant coach for both track and football. She is also a certified track and field official, allowing her to remain closely connected to the sport while mentoring student-athletes in discipline, teamwork, and excellence.

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Joyce is a United States Army veteran with 18 years of service, including two overseas deployments to Kuwait and Cairo, Egypt. Guided by her military background and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, she brings a lifelong commitment to leadership, accountability, and community to everything she does. Her passion for service extends even further through L.O.U.I.S. Mentoring Services LLC, a program she created in memory of her brother. Through this initiative, she provides guidance, encouragement, and support to individuals in need, helping to uplift and empower others.

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As she continues to grow both personally and professionally, Joyce is currently pursuing courses to strengthen and expand her business, with the goal of becoming a more efficient and successful entrepreneur. In all that she does, she remains committed to inspiring others, building meaningful relationships, and leaving a lasting, positive impact on her school and community.

Christopher Priester is a retired United States Marine Corps Chief and accomplished operational leader with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, technical education, and systems management. Currently serving as a Fleet Management Systems Administrator for Harris County Universal Services, he specializes in data analysis, process improvement, and workforce development, helping organizations improve efficiency while developing high-performing teams.

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Throughout his military and civilian careers, Christopher has been passionate about mentoring others and building strong leaders. He has designed and delivered technical training programs, supervised personnel across diverse environments, and transformed complex operational data into practical solutions that support informed decision-making. His leadership is rooted in accountability, continuous improvement, and a commitment to empowering others to reach their full potential.

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Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Networking and Security and is a certified Lean Six Sigma practitioner. As a mentor with Living Legacy Collective, he combines technical expertise with servant leadership to inspire, guide, and equip the next generation of professionals with the confidence, skills, and discipline needed to succeed in their careers and communities.

Shania Watson is a dedicated public health professional committed to improving healthcare access, enhancing patient outcomes, and strengthening community well-being. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Services, Policy, and Management. Her academic foundation, combined with her passion for service, has equipped her to address complex healthcare challenges through strategic planning, collaboration, and advocacy.

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Throughout her career, Ms. Watson has gained valuable experience coordinating healthcare programs, managing provider relationships, and supporting veterans through home and community-based care services. She is recognized for her ability to build strong partnerships, improve operational efficiency, and ensure individuals receive high-quality, person-centered care. Her organizational skills and commitment to excellence have enabled her to make meaningful contributions across diverse healthcare settings.

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Driven by a mission to expand equitable access to quality healthcare, Ms. Watson is dedicated to advancing public health through leadership, innovation, and continuous professional development. She remains committed to fostering collaborative solutions that improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities while making a lasting impact on the populations she serves.