BOARD CHAIR

Markiesha Wilson is a management consultant, leadership coach, speaker, and author. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging leaders to lead their teams authentically and pursue joy in their careers. She is the author of In the Climb: Eight Audacious Actions to Overcome Life and Climb the Corporate Ladder with Joy. Markiesha is a human capital professional and an expert level facilitator and designer of highly rated interactive leadership and interpersonal communications courses for adult learners in educational and government institutions, and private sector entities, throughout the United States and the Caribbean. She has enjoyed a successful career in various leadership roles with companies including Booz Allen Hamilton, Fannie Mae, First Bank Virgin Islands, Accenture and Deloitte Consulting. Markiesha received her Master of Arts degree in Human and Intercultural Communications at Howard University and her Leadership Coaching Certification at Georgetown University. She is ACC certified by the International Coaching Federation.

TREASURER

Marc, a proud native of Baltimore, MD, boasts over 35 years of invaluable customer service expertise across diverse sectors. Driven by a deep-seated commitment to service and ongoing learning, he channels his fervor into empowering youth and supporting underserved communities. A graduate of Coppin State University, holding a degree in Business Management, Marc channels his passion into facilitating the realization of others' goals, dreams, and aspirations by connecting them with vital resources. Beyond his professional endeavors, Marc is deeply involved in community enrichment efforts. For over 15 years, he has dedicated himself to prison ministry through his church and has engaged in transformative foreign missions work in India. Since 1990, Marc has been a stalwart supporter of his fraternity's social action initiatives, contributing to initiatives focused on education and fostering entrepreneurship. An embodiment of philanthropy, Marc's commitment to serving others through his fraternity includes a partnership with the Maryland Food Bank since 2021. Spearheading monthly food giveaways in the Waverly and neighboring communities, Marc exemplifies the spirit of compassion and communal support.

BOARD SECRETARY

Jerome L. Harris is a highly accomplished human resources professional and decorated U.S. Army retiree with more than 25 years of service. He has a proven track record of driving results and leading large-scale operations. Jerome's expertise includes overseeing the entire HR lifecycle for a region of over 40,000 soldiers and their families, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and overhauling key programs, such as the Army Reserve's enlisted promotions. He even served as a drill sergeant, shaping future leaders. Jerome's experience also includes a detailed assignment with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he led a successful Six Sigma project and served on the Diversity in Leadership implementation team. In his free time, Jerome loves learning, traveling, and spending time with his family. His hobbies include reading, running, volleyball, skiing, and fishing. He’s excited to engage more by volunteering in his community.

BOARD MEMBER

Kysha’s specialties lie in all aspects of marketing, strategic partnerships and branding with significant experience in real estate marketing, brand development, and public relations. Having well over 20+ years of experience, she has developed strategic marketing partnerships with some of the most recognizable brands including: Sony Music, the NFL, Interscope Records, Keller Williams Realty, Habitat for Humanity and Rush Communications. Before launching her real estate team, Kysha served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Keller Williams Preferred Properties. In this capacity, she oversaw client engagement, strategic communications & partnerships as well as the redevelopment of the company’s brand identity. As a licensed REALTOR in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, along with her extensive experience in marketing, she has become a creative curator in real estate marketing and branding. Prior to her career in real estate, Kysha led Unruly Marketing, Inc as the Vice President of Marketing & Operations. There she spearheaded music promotions, marketing research and product placement projects for national brands, brand management and urban lifestyle marketing consulting. Kysha began her career in the music industry as the Music Marketing Director for DTLR – one of the country’s most successful lifestyle retailers (with 250+ locations across the country). While at DTLR she was instrumental in creating innovative marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships for major music distribution companies and multiple apparel & footwear brands – which resulted in significant incremental revenue, and brand loyalty. She also curated several retail marketing promotions & activations for various recording artists including: Kanye West, Ludacris, Ciara, Russell Simmons & more. Just before taking the dive into the world of entertainment, she led as a Senior Project Manager at The CAMMAY Group, a Marketing & Advertising Firm where she was responsible for a diverse roster of clients including: The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Prince George’s County, The County Executive of Prince George’s County, The Prince George’s County Police Department, WHUR (Howard University Radio), CBS Radio and Radio One. Today, Kysha is the Team Leader / Owner of the Kysha Merritt Group - a real estate consulting firm. She’s also a member of the Prince George’s County Association of Realtors, the American Women's Business Association (AWBA) and a preferred Realtor for the Prince George’s County Housing Authority. Beyond the world of entertainment, media and real estate, Kysha is a passionate professional dedicated to cultivating dynamic experiences through strategic partnerships and fruitful collaborations.

BOARD MEMBER

Angela has had a 30+ year employment at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Ms. Brice-Smith was hired into Federal public service as a Presidential Management Intern, with concurrent Registered Nurse employment history in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and several Baltimore, MD metro area acute care hospitals. Her CMS career was highlighted to the ranks of Senior Executive Service with management opportunities across Medicare fee-for-service, Medicaid (federal perspective), managed care in both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the Marketplace (Exchanges aka Affordable Care Act). The primary focus of her federal service varied inside the spectrum of compliance, from survey & certification, quality of care, to compliance with marketing, fiscal, or program integrity requirements. Toward the end of her Federal service, she engaged with private sector organizations, health care providers and a variety of community leaders to address interests in partnership, information sharing, new initiatives, and their needs or perspectives. Angela also did 19 years of bedside nursing in acute care hospitals, primarily, in the areas of oncology (administering chemotherapy drugs), and intensive care nursing. Since her retirement from Federal service and nursing, Angela has been a consultant to several clients prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. She currently serves on the Security Plus Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee in Baltimore and on the Advisory Council of the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. She also serves on the University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing Alumni Board, (entering her 2nd year now). She remains in tune to the rural challenges of electric power, safe water, internet access and health care services. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (with focus in public finance) from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA). She has 1 son, 2 grandchildren, and enjoys walking in and managing forestry parcels, (a part of the Family Farm) in central Virginia. And you’ll likely see her volunteering with organizations that support minority youth on the ski slopes during the winter months. Angela Brice-Smith, is the owner/operator of Brice Hollow Pharms, LLC in Maryland and Virginia. She manages over 100 acres of 2nd generation loblolly pine (often used for writing paper, toilet paper, & softwood lumber) in Goochland County, Virginia. She is exploring opportunities toward agroforestry of medicinal crops.