Our Team

Ellen Collins serves as the executive director for the Alliance.  In this role, Ellen provides leadership and support to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations in their efforts to strengthen Mississippi’s children, families, and communities. Her work involves interaction with nonprofits organizations, foundations, United Ways, public sector entities, and businesses throughout the state. She is also responsible for day-to-day operations, working to ensure the organization is effectively executing on its long-term strategy, consistently improving performance and productivity, and regularly identifying opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness. Ellen previously served as associate director for the Alliance, as well as various roles in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, including the director of the Prosperity Center for Midtown Partners, Inc. She also served as a senior program officer for the Chicago-based McCormick Foundation and director of programs for the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (now the Community Foundation for Mississippi) where she was instrumental in helping launch the Women’s Fund of Mississippi (now the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi), the only nonprofit foundation in the state that focuses primarily on women and girls’ issues. A native of Starkville, Miss, Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Mississippi Valley State University; a Master of Science in education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; and additional studies and certifications in family services and leadership development. She was a member of the Leadership Greater Jackson class of 2008-09 and has served on various boards for nonprofit organizations in the Metro Jackson area. Ellen is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and the Junior League of Jackson. She loves photography, traveling, and conducting genealogical research.

Jamie serves as Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, where she manages affinity and policy groups focused on fostering increased learning, collaboration, and funding around critical policy issues. These groups bring together nonprofit and philanthropic partners to develop and implement strategies and public policies that create positive, lasting impacts for children, families, and communities across Mississippi.

Over the past 20 years, Jamie has invested in numerous organizations across the metro area, focusing on health and wellness, social justice, community development, and youth leadership. She currently serves on the boards of CASA of Hinds County, Jackson Association of Neighborhoods, Mississippi Afterschool Network, and Hinds Community College, with previous board leadership roles at Midtown Public Charter School and the Metro YMCA.

Jamie is an alumni of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network and a graduate of both Leadership Greater Jackson and Leadership Mississippi. She was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the Top 50 Distinguished Leading Women in Business and honored as a Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Salute honoree.

DeLorean King serves as the Programming and Membership Associate here at the Alliance. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, she graduated from Mississippi State University with two bachelor’s degrees, one in finance and one in risk management and insurance (RMI); and earned her MBA in Finance from Millsaps College.  DeLorean is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Society, is actively involved in her church, and in her spare time loves to travel, read, spend time with family, and volunteer.

Jason Easley serves as part-time bookkeeper for the Alliance with the primary responsibility of ensuring all financial transactions are properly recorded and reported, and also works closely with the executive director to forecast cash flow and prepare budgets for the current year and beyond.

Jason earned both his BSBA in Accounting and MBA from Mississippi College. He has been a CPA for 23+ years, spending most of his career in State government and is recently retired. Jason worked for Public Safety, the Office of the State Auditor, the Department of Health and the Department of Rehabilitation Services as an Accountant, Auditor and Director of Internal Audit and Quality Assurance.

A native of Summit, Mississippi, Jason became an avid golfer at North Pike School District and went on to play for the Mississippi College golf team. Jason loves college sports, enjoys movies and TV shows on demand, and eating out or grilling with friends. He and his wife Holly have two children.

Melissa Butler serves as the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager for the Alliance. In this role, she is responsible championing the marketing and communication of the Alliance’s core values and purpose and developing the MarComm strategic plan and calendar. Melissa is dedicated to stewarding the organization’s brand image and enhancing its visibility by engaging members, constituents, and stakeholders.

A lifelong native Mississippian, Melissa has spent her entire career working in the metro Jackson area. After achieving 10+ years of successful experience in creative marketing, brand management, communications, and project management in the corporate world, after two layoffs, she began freelancing her services which provided the flexibility she desired to raise a family during the formative years and still keep her skills sharp. She also put her entrepreneurial spirit to the test and became a small business owner. Having maintained strong relationships with previous employers and her involvement in several community service organizations, she leveraged her diverse background to build a broad portfolio of clients, including the MS Alliance, and came on board full-time in August 2023.

Melissa is the proud parent of two beautiful adult children, and in her free time enjoys playing tennis, dabbling in photography, and design. Her passion for graphic, interior, exterior, and architectural design has turned into a rewarding part-time side hustle; starting with family and friends, blossoming into a host of other wonderful referrals.

Michael C. Martella serves as the Programs and Strategy Associate here at the Alliance.  He is responsible for providing a wide range of support to the Alliance’s program team, including assistance in the planning and management of the training and capacity building unit, membership, and policy.

Willette Y. Thomas serves as the Executive Coordinator for the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofit and Philanthropy. In this role, she supports the Executive Director, oversees interoffice operations, and acts as the liaison to the Board of Directors. A native of Vaiden, Mississippi, Willette earned her degree in Journalism with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Mississippi. With over a decade of experience in communication project management, she has worked with public health organizations, nonprofits, and state government agencies. Her career also includes roles in municipal government and the public school system in Mississippi and Tennessee. Willette is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and a certified notary in Mississippi. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with her two sons and family.

Evonna Lucas serves as Program Manager for the Alliance. She brings a wealth of skills and local insight to her role, organizing, managing, and coordinating various programs and initiatives that make a significant impact in strengthening the organization’s outreach and effectiveness. Her educational foundation in communications from Mississippi Valley State University supports her ability to craft clear, compelling messages and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

A native of Greenwood, Mississippi, and having recently established roots in Central Mississippi, she is uniquely positioned to lead programs that are not only strategic but also relevant to the community’s needs. This combination of professional expertise and local knowledge is a tremendous asset in her role.