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.

Currently serving as the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Jamie manages the affinity/policy groups that focus on increased learning, collaboration, and funding around critical policy issues. These affinity groups engage both non-profit and philanthropic partners to develop and implement strategies and public policies that produce positive impacts for children, families, and communities in Mississippi.

Jamie, a native of Kosciusko, MS, has a BS in Management from Belhaven University and a Masters in Health Promotion from Mississippi State University. With a background working in the private healthcare sector, she has been in roles overseeing corporate giving, national strategic partnerships, colleague engagement and activism, and government relations. Over the last 15 years she has invested in many organizations around the metro area with a focus on health and wellness, social justice, community development, and youth leadership. Jamie serves on the board of Unite Mississippi Foundation, Mississippi Christian Living Magazine, CASA of Hinds County and The Devoted Dreamers Foundation, with previous board leadership with Midtown Public Charter School and the Metro YMCA. Over the last 20 years she has given countless hours of her time to support many local nonprofits with fundraising and volunteering. She is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network alumni and a graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson and  Leadership Mississippi.  She was most recently recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the Top 50 Distinguished Leading Women in Business.

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 Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager for the Alliance.  She is responsible for helping develop, establish, and promote the Alliance brand and communication strategy; creating, coordinating, and executing communications that increase public awareness and market the organization’s programs and services.

Melissa received a BBA in marketing management from the University of Southern Mississippi.

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.

Donnebra Grant serves as Chief Programming Officer (CPO) at the Alliance.  In this role, Donnebra is be responsible for leading the strategic planning, development, and implementation of our organization’s programs; fostering trust and collaboration among the Alliance team, community partners, members, the public, and stakeholders, while building strategic partnerships and developing special projects and initiatives with external partners. Bringing over 10 years of experience in program management in the finance industry, she is an active volunteer with several organizations and has served on various boards of nonprofit organizations in the Metro Jackson area.  During her tenure she has successfully spearheaded various initiatives focused on bridging the gap between racial equity, financial literacy, and serving the underserved.  A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Donnebra holds a Bachelor of Science with a minor in social work, psychology, and leadership development from Louisiana State University and currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration from LSUS. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the founder of Along the Way, Inc., and enjoys serving various ministries within her church and community, reading, traveling, animals, and motivational speaking.

One of her favorite quotes she loves to go by is “Service to others is the rent you pay from your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali

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.