Grant Committees
Volunteer committee members, whose backgrounds and perspectives reflect the diversity of the Mid-South, research and assess the needs of our community to award grants that ensure this region thrives.
Community Initiatives Committee
Amanda Lee Keikialoha Savage
Assistant Professor of History, University of Memphis // Co-founder, Native RITES
Community Initiatives Committee Chair
Bert Barnett
Honorary Trustee
John Basek
Retired International Business Advisor // Managing Member, Court Square
Judith Black Moore
Principal, J. Black Moore Strategies // CEO, Taking Back the Future
April Carter
Chief Program Officer, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
Adele Day
Wealth Advisor, Truist Bank
Ruth Abigail Gardner
Executive Director & Co-Founder, AngelStreet
Sue Guarino
Retired
Jeanne Jemison
Retired Physician
Meggan Wurzburg Kiel
Regional Operations Director, Facing History & Ourselves
Yvonne Madlock
Honorary Trustee
Charles McKinney
Neville Frierson Bryan Chair of Africana Studies and Associate Professor of History, Rhodes College
Scott Morrell
Retired Corporate Security Manager
Shanette Parks
Grassroots Leader
Beverly Perkins
Supervisor, Corporate Social Responsibility, Memphis Light, Gas & Water
Linda Smith
Retired
Strengthening Nonprofits Committee
Linda McNeil
Senior Account Manager, Gaskill Strategies
Strengthening Nonprofits Committee Chair
Bert Barnett
Honorary Trustee
Laura Barrett
Independent Consultant
Wight Boggs
Co-owner, Huey's Restaurants
Diane Brown
Retired Human Resources Professional
Katherine Bush
Associate Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church
Crystal Chopin
Operations Manager, Oasis of Hope, Inc.
Deborah Compton
Retired Medical Sales Professional
Jason Dapper
Staff Scientist, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Alex DeJarnett
Advisor, Loewenberg College of Nursing, University of Memphis
Fred DeMagistris
Economic Development Representative, Memphis Light, Gas & Water
Yonee Gibson
Program and People Experience Manager, Just City
Louis Hamric
Registered Nurse, Lakeside Behavioral Health
Whitney Jo
Managing Director, Playhouse on the Square
Carol Winfield Jones
Former Civil Engineer // Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Janet Lo
Liaison for Nonprofits, Shelby County Government
Paul Makris
Chief Financial Officer, Porter-Leath
Kush Shah
Owner, directFX Solutions
Belinda Simpson
Community Service Specialist, Shelby County Government
Joyce Terry
Retired Human Resources Representative
Tyra Turner-Cleasant
Retired
Pedro Velasquez
Executive Director, Lifedoc Health
Schanaque Watson
Technical Assistance Provider, Endyna Inc.