Chair

G. Mitchell Brown

A native of Dayton, Ohio, he learned the importance of teamwork and community involvement through leadership in social and church groups. Mitchell graduated from Morehouse College and continues to exemplify his commitment to community engagement through the leadership of Resources for Residents and Communities of Georgia, a non-profit CDC providing housing, home ownership counseling and community outreach services. In his spare time, Mitchell engages in outdoor activities including hiking, biking and camping. As a one-time resident, he served as the neighborhood NPU representative, participated in neighborhood clean-ups and coordinated volunteer activities for the Wheelbarrow Summer Theater community festival. While serving as the Vice-Chair of the RRC Board, Mitchell chaired the Personnel Committee and contributed to the efforts of several other board committees. He worked in partnership with the Board Chair to facilitate and encouraged the Board’s active role in the growth of this changing organization’s expansion of services to include a five-county area. 

Treasurer

Eula J. Parker

Eula Parker is a Senior Vice President of South State Bank where she has been employed for over 30 years. Currently, she is the Community Development Officer for the State of Georgia. Her focus is serving the needs of Low/Moderate income families with housing needs and revitalization projects within the banks assessment area. She works closely with cities, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. She also serves the community through her involvement on numerous boards such as: Junior Achievement of NE Georgia, Wesley Community Center, Marietta Housing Authority, Savannah CASA, Neighborhood Lending Partnership of GA, and Georgia ACT. She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for Chatham County. Eula graduated from Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, she is also a graduate of The Georgia Banking School at the University of Georgia, Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia.

Secretary

Elizabeth “Betsy” Wallace

Betsy is committed to strategic leadership, governance, and growth strategies for nonprofits and small businesses. In 2017, Betsy founded E. Wallace Strategies, LLC, a firm specializing in organizational development consulting, including board governance, strategic thinking, leadership transitions, and executive and team coaching. EWS also provides expertise in meeting design/facilitation and adult education. From 1999 to early 2017, Betsy was a Senior Relationship Manager with NeighborWorks® America, the country’s preeminent leader in affordable housing and community development.  Betsy is a trainer for the NeighborWorks® Training Institute and has served as a Lead Coach and Team Coach for the NeighborWorks® America’s Excellence in Governance (EiG) programs. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Architecture and from Rutgers University with a Master of City and Regional Planning degree. Betsy has also completed Emory University’s Essentials of Management Certificate.

Board Member

Jim Beaty, Jr.

Board Member

Sherrell Byrd

Sherrell Byrd is the co-founder and co-chair of SOWEGA Rising, a nonprofit coalition in southwest Georgia. The mission of SOWEGA Rising is to mobilize people and resources to improve the quality of life, well being and political power of marginalized Southwest Georgians. Capitalizing on her talents in nonprofit management, fund development and board development, Sherrell chairs a coalition of nonprofits that are tackling some of the toughest issues that plague Southwest Georgia, including criminal justice reform, food insecurity, rural health, historical and cultural preservation, environmental justice and economic injustice. SOWEGA Rising activates activism, organizes organizations and moves movements forward!

Board Member

Dr. Christie Cade

As Vice President, Dr. Cade directs the deployment of NeighborWorks America’s financial and technical services throughout thirteen states in the Southeast Region of the U.S. and the District of Columbia.  She leads a team of professionals focused on advancing real estate development, homeownership promotion and preservation, community and economic development and lending in both urban and rural communities. 

Dr. Cade has over 30 years of executive experience and has served in leadership roles for nonprofit, public, and fortune 500 entities. Dr. Cade currently serves on the Georgia Advancing Communities Together Board of Directors, Cadence Bank Community Development Advisory Board, Emory University Board of Visitors, Gateway Regional Council Board of Directors, and HouseATL Committee Co-Chair and several committees. 

She is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Business Achieving Excellence and has a PhD. in Organizational Development and Leadership and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Avila University.

Board Member

Robert Cooke

Robert was born in South Carolina, but grew up in South Georgia, and attended college in Alabama. He has undergraduate majors in Religion/Philosophy and Accounting and a cum laude MBA degree. Since 2000, he has served as the Executive Director of Southwest Georgia United, an Empowerment Zone and community development corporation. He administered more than $40 million in program funding and has written successful applications for more than $11 million. He oversaw construction and operation of a 55,000 square foot business incubator, managed more than $13 million annually in community assets, and acquired and managed more than 100 affordable rental homes, He developed, implemented, and supported housing counseling, workforce development, after school care, childcare, and a variety of other community programs. He wrote Southwest Georgia United’s successful application for certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Southwest Georgia United’s current portfolio includes both business and housing loans. Assets have grown from less than $250,000 in 1999 to more than $8.3 million as of 2014.

Board Member

Kelly Cooney

Kelly Cooney is a housing specialist with the Housing Assistance Council, a national nonprofit working to improve housing conditions for the rural poor. She provides technical assistance and training on housing and organizational development topics to nonprofit organizations and local governments. Kelly earned a Master of City Planning degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from Miami University.

Board Member

Sean Dacey

Sean Dacey serves as the Senior Vice President of Southern First Bank, a position he has held for four years, leveraging over three decades of experience in the Atlanta market. He began as a business owner, transitioning into banking 18 years ago, where he now leads community engagement and development initiatives. Sean’s leadership focuses on addressing housing needs for low to moderate-income families and spearheading revitalization projects across the bank’s Georgia market.

He is committed to community service, holding positions as National Vice Chair and Treasurer for Frontline Response International, Board member for Georgia ACT, and contributing to several organizations, including Junior Achievement of NE Georgia, HouseATL, Leadership Ministries Inc., Empire Board of Realtists, VA Rep, Boy Scouts of America Troop 232, and Metro Atlanta Furniture Bank.

Sean holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Science and Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has attended both West Point Military Academy and Georgia State University for additional academic coursework.

Board Member

Archie Emerson

Board Member

Melanie A. Faison

Melanie A. Faison, is the Director – Production & Program Services for NeighborWorks Columbus. She is a business strategist and impact leader with over 20 years of experience championing organizational growth and expansion. Excels in market positioning, revenue growth, financial management and driving operational excellence. Skilled in facilitating the combination of public, private, and philanthropic capital to advance real estate development and mortgage lending. Innovative and skilled in directing and mentoring diverse teams with direct accountability to CEO and/or Board of Directors.

Board Member

Bodua Gordon

Bodua Gordon is the CEO of the Savannah Community Land Trust Inc. (CLT), a nonprofit dedicated to long-term Affordable Housing in Chatham County, Georgia. The Savannah CLT is also dedicated to financial education and entrepreneurship training for low to moderate income families and individuals. Mr. Gordon has operated the Savannah CLT for the past 4 years while also working with Harambee House in their efforts to create a more environmentally sound community. He also works full time as a utility maintenance man at the Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). He is currently creating an affordable housing alliance in Chatham County with area affordable housing nonprofit organizations. He is a lifelong resident of Savannah and has been involved in many activities to preserve at risk communities in Savannah.

Board Member

Dana Ingram

Dana Ingram is the Founder and Executive Director of JCVision and Associates, Inc., a faith-based 501(c)(3) organization located in Hinesville, GA. For over 15 years, she has served as a certified housing professional and has obtained her accreditation with the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE).

As a spouse of a disabled military veteran, Ms. Ingram has dedicated her life and skills in assisting consumers to identify housing and financial solutions that will develop fiscal responsibility, increase economic resources, and build wealth for an active or retired military household and the general public. Ms. Ingram holds Georgia licenses as a Residential Builder, EPA Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor. She is an Enrolled Agent as awarded by the Internal Revenue Service. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Slippery Rock University. Ms. Ingram has been recognized by The White House, under President George W. Bush’s administration, for her work to increase consumer financial literacy and rural housing development within Coastal Georgia. s League’s Women of Influence “Tenured”.

Board Member

Lethia Kittrell

Lethia Jones Kittrell has represented rural, small-town communities for over 30 years as a small business owner, corporate trainer and adult educational instructor, program management analyst, and technical assistance provider. Through these efforts, Kittrell has supported more than 1,000 low-income students to earn their general education diploma and has prepared thousands of tax forms for low-income citizens, often pro bono. As a leader for community development, she advocates with the National Alliance of Community and Economic Development Associations (now Community Opportunity Alliance) and National Small Business Association.

Lethia was born and raised in Fitzgerald, Georgia. She is a graduate of Fitzgerald High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in social services, political science, and journalism from Clark Atlanta University. She is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother. In her spare time, Lethia serves her community as a licensed minister and board member for the Ben Hill County Civic League.

Board Member

Sabrina Newby

Sabrina is a dynamic force in strategy and development, with over 20 years of professional and entrepreneurial experience. Always pushing boundaries, Sabrina went on to establish the Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce in 2015, the first coastal economic development chamber of commerce in Southeast Georgia.

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Sabrina has served on local and regional development boards. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a law and policy degree, as well as a Juris Masters from Liberty University. Sabrina is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree and holds an Executive Leadership Certificate from Harvard Kennedy School, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Certification from the University of South Florida, and a CORE scholar from Alabama University. Sabrina’s influence was recognized in 2023 when she was named one of Georgia Trend’s top 500 Influential People and nominated for GAIN’s Powerful Idea Award. She has also played a key role in grassroots voting efforts in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District.

Board Member

Ingrid Thompson

Ingrid began her career with Delta Airlines over 35 years ago and is currently the CEO of Nehemiah Project Community Development Corporation and the founder of Harvest Rain Early Learning Academy in Fairburn Georgia. Ingrid has been a champion in the South Fulton Community in Early Childhood Development, Afterschool Enrichment, and Leadership Programs for at-risk Youth for over 19 years. Her passion and commitment to Community Development have contributed to improving the quality of life for hundreds of families in the areas of Affordable Housing, Neighborhood Revitalization, Health, Economic Development, Education and Advocacy. Ingrid has over 20 years of experience in acquisition, rehabilitations, renovations, and real-estate management. Ingrid graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing and a Master of Education from Regent University. She is an active leader in her church and a member of various community groups.