Dr. Ann Marie Kinnell serves as Co-Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development and Director of the Nonprofit Studies Program at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she has led efforts to advance civic engagement and nonprofit education since 2007.

She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University–Bloomington. Her introduction to the nonprofit sector began with her doctoral research, which explored counseling practices at an HIV-testing nonprofit, where she also served as volunteer coordinator.

Dr. Kinnell’s research focuses on the impact of service learning and civic engagement programs on both students and nonprofit community partners, as well as the dynamics between nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She is co-author of several case study books on nonprofit leadership, including Nongovernmental Organizations: Case Studies in Leadership from Around the World and Leadership Cases in Community Nonprofit Organizations (both 2nd editions, Kendall Hunt).

Lloyd Gray serves as Executive Director of The Phil Hardin Foundation, a statewide education philanthropy based in Meridian, Mississippi. Since joining the foundation in 2015, he has led its efforts to improve educational outcomes and expand opportunities for Mississippians across the state.

Prior to his work in philanthropy, Lloyd spent four decades in journalism as a reporter, editor, and columnist for newspapers in Greenville, Biloxi, and Meridian. He served for 23 years as Executive Editor of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo, where he became known for his thoughtful leadership and commitment to community-focused journalism.

A native Mississippian, Lloyd is a graduate of Millsaps College.

Dr. Portia Ballard Espy serves as President and CEO of the Mississippi Urban League, Inc., an organization committed to empowering African Americans and others in Mississippi’s historically underserved communities to achieve social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. Under her leadership, the Urban League advances its mission through programs focused on health, justice, jobs, education, and housing.

Dr. Espy brings extensive executive-level experience across the manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and nonprofit sectors. Her corporate leadership roles have included positions in human resources management, grants management, and external affairs at organizations such as Pellerin Milnor Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell subsidiaries, Entergy Corporation, and Raytheon Aerospace.

She transitioned to the nonprofit sector to serve in a range of leadership positions, including Associate Director of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Mid-South Delta Initiative; Chief Administrative Officer at the Children’s Defense Fund – Southern Regional Office; and both Director of Community Building and Executive Director at the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation (now the Alluvial Collective). At the Winter Institute, she played a key role in its transition from the University of Mississippi to an independent nonprofit headquartered in Jackson.

A native of Franklinton, Louisiana, Dr. Espy earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University and holds a certificate in nonprofit management from the Harvard Kennedy School. She also holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Southern University in Baton Rouge and an M.B.A. from Loyola University New Orleans.

Sanford Johnson is an education consultant based in the Mississippi Delta, where he continues to champion equity and access in education. A native Mississippian, Sanford has spent the past 16 years working to improve educational outcomes across the region.

His career began in 2003 as a Teach for America Delta corps member, teaching high school Social Studies in both Mississippi and Arkansas. He later co-founded Mississippi First, where he served as Deputy Director for a decade, leading policy initiatives and program development to advance public education in the state.

In addition to his consulting work, Sanford is a member of the Mississippi Sex Education Training Cadre and serves on the boards of Teen Health Mississippi and Mississippi Kids Count. He also chairs the Clarksdale Municipal Elections Commission, demonstrating his deep commitment to civic engagement.

Sanford lives in Clarksdale with his wife, Amanda, and their two daughters.

Michael Dixon serves as the Executive Director of the Pinebelt Foundation, a community foundation that has distributed more than $25 million in grants to support philanthropic efforts across the region. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Extra Table, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger in Mississippi.

In 2007, Michael founded Ekklesia Hattiesburg, a non-denominational church focused on serving individuals and families in need throughout the Hattiesburg area.

Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and his Master of Divinity from Mercer University. He is married to Sarah Dixon, and together they are the proud parents of two children, Lillian and Chapman.

Reena Evers-Everette is a prominent civil rights advocate, speaker, and the Executive Director of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute. As the daughter of iconic civil rights leaders Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams, she has devoted her life to carrying forward their legacy of justice, equality, and education.

In her leadership role, Reena spearheads national and international efforts to foster dialogue on human rights and promote civic engagement through educational programs and strategic partnerships. Her work empowers future generations while preserving the lasting impact of her parents’ contributions to the American civil rights movement.

Recognized as a powerful voice on social justice, leadership, and historical preservation, Reena is frequently invited to speak and lead discussions that inspire and educate diverse audiences.

Keith Fulcher is the President of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, where he is spearheading the Foundation’s bold initiative to grow its assets to $50 million by 2028. He joined the Foundation in 2019 following a distinguished 23-year career at Delta State University, where he held key leadership roles including Director of Development, Executive Director of the Alumni & Foundation office, and Special Assistant to the University President.

While at Delta State, Keith was instrumental in securing several transformative gifts, including a $4 million estate gift to the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing, a $4 million scholarship endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Fred Pittman, and a $3 million grant from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation to establish the Center for Teaching and Learning.

A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Keith began his professional journey in education, serving as a teacher, coach, and principal at Catholic schools across Biloxi, Jackson, and Vicksburg. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Delta State University and has pursued further studies at William Carey University, Boston College, and Harvard University. He also played a foundational role in establishing the Principals’ Center at Millsaps College.

Keith’s lifelong dedication to education and philanthropy is deeply rooted in the values passed down from his grandparents—Lebanese immigrants and Mississippi sharecroppers—who, despite their limited means, embodied a spirit of generosity and service to others.

In addition to his leadership at the Foundation, Keith donates his fundraising expertise to a variety of charitable organizations, including the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, the Mississippi Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America Chickasaw Council, and Girl Scouts Heart of the South.

He and his wife, Anne Verret of New Orleans—a Millsaps College graduate—are the proud parents of three children, ages 21, 19, and 17.

Meggan Gray is the Director of Advancement for St. Patrick Catholic High School, where she passionately advocates for quality Catholic education. A dedicated community leader, she also serves on the executive board of St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Biloxi and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast.

For two decades, Meggan was a familiar face in South Mississippi as an award-winning television news anchor, spending most of her career at WLOX in Biloxi and later at WXXV in Gulfport. Her engaging on-air presence made her a trusted source of information for morning viewers across the region.

Meggan has contributed her time and talents to numerous community organizations, including Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, and the Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport. She frequently volunteers as an emcee for local nonprofit events and occasionally lends her voice as a singer to support fundraising efforts.

Meggan lives in Gulfport with her husband, John Stolarski, Principal Architect and part owner of Allred Stolarski Architects in Ocean Springs. Together, they are the proud parents of three children—Austin (15), Avery (13), and Aiden (8)—and are active members of St. James Catholic Church.

Melanie Powell is the Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi. With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, Powell offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge.

In 2022, she was selected as the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Washington County. She previously served as Executive Director of the Tutwiler Community Education Center, but spent most of her professional career working in Greater Cleveland, Ohio, where she lived for 22 years before returning home to Mississippi.

In addition to her work in the nonprofit space, Powell has used her training as a licensed Social Worker for the State of Ohio to advance community support. Her work as the Sociology Instructor at Bryant and Stratton College and as the Center Coordinator for the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland helped young people successfully transition out of rehabilitation programs and expanded local mental health resources and education in the area through several community initiatives.

A native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, Powell holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mississippi Valley State University, a Master’s in Nonprofit Organization from Case Western Reserve University, and a Graduate Certification in Sociology from Baypath University. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Families USA, a national non-partisan voice for health care consumers, and Teen Health Mississippi. Powell is the proud parent of one adult son, Demetrius.

Vickie Powell is the Senior Vice President of Foundations at the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), bringing over 25 years of experience in proposal development, grant writing, program management, and implementation. Her career also spans human resources, business development, and corporate affairs, making her a versatile and accomplished leader in both the nonprofit and private sectors.

In her current role, Vickie oversees several statewide initiatives, including the Propel Education Forum of Mississippi (formerly the Public Education Forum of Mississippi), the M.B. Swayze Foundation’s Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, and the Mississippi Scholars and Mississippi Scholars Tech Master programs. The STAR program alone has celebrated the academic excellence of students and teachers from more than 300 schools across Mississippi for over five decades, while the Scholars programs have recognized more than 65,000 graduates statewide.

A strategic and visionary leader, Vickie was instrumental in securing a $1 million grant in 2021 for the ASCENT to 55% initiative, the largest award in the Public Education Forum’s history. This funding supports Mississippi’s goal to increase postsecondary attainment to 55% by 2030 and 60% by 2035.

Vickie holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Jackson State University and is certified by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM). She is a graduate of the Aspen Institute’s Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy and has completed a fellowship in business leadership focused on education and workforce policy through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Marcus Ward is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Alcorn State University and Executive Director of the ASU Foundation, Inc., where he leads fundraising, alumni relations, and government affairs for the nation’s oldest historically Black land-grant university.

Since 2010, Marcus and his team have raised more than $15 million in scholarships, programmatic, and operational funding for Alcorn, including securing the largest single gift in the university’s history. As the university’s Legislative Liaison, he has helped secure over $50 million in targeted and bond appropriations from the Mississippi Legislature for capital improvements. He also led the funding, construction, and promotion of the largest football video scoreboard in the SWAC and among all HBCUs.

Before joining Alcorn, Marcus served in a range of high-profile public service roles, including Chief of Staff to the late Mayor Frank E. Melton of Jackson, Mississippi; Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the U.S. Department of the Interior; and Special Assistant to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott. He began his political career as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. During his tenure in the Jackson Mayor’s Office, Marcus secured over $40 million in federal and state earmarked appropriations and grant funding for the city.

Marcus earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Pre-Law from Alcorn State University and a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He also studied public policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

He is a Ford Foundation PPIA Fellow, an American Israel Education Foundation (AIPAC) Fellow, a Kentucky Colonel, and a graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson (Class of 2007–2008). Marcus is an active member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and has served on the board of the Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2014, where he was named 2018 President-Elect.

In addition to his professional and civic commitments, Marcus is a certified reserve police officer with the Jackson Police Department. He and his wife, Erin Duffy Ward, are members of New Dimensions International Fellowship of Ministries.

Christin Waters is originally from Franklin, TN, and graduated from the University of Mississippi. In 2008, she moved to Meridian, MS after marrying her husband, Josh Waters. The couple has a daughter named Callie who is currently nine years old. Christin has held employment at Benefits Management Group, American Cancer Society, Anderson Regional Health System, and LHC, Inc. Christin began her career at the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, where she is the Executive Director. She has been involved in many community organizations, including Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian Partner, Junior Auxiliary, Hope Village Guild, and the Symphony League. With her experience in leading non-profit organizations and her passion for positively impacting the East Mississippi community.

Christin is deeply passionate about philanthropy, particularly when it comes to supporting youth and children. She has dedicated her time and energy to serving as a Junior Auxiliary member, where she has been able to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of children in Lauderdale County.