Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2024

Dr. Tony Allen

Tony Allen is Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s most diverse contemporary HBCU: Delaware State University.

A comprehensive research institution with a $150 million budget and a $27 million research portfolio, the 1890 Land-Grant institution is home to four academic colleges serving 6,400+ undergraduates, boasting graduate and adult programs across the state of Delaware and in 23 countries.

Tony started his career as speechwriter for then-United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In 2020, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the 59th Presidential Inaugural after having served on the Advisory Board of the President’s Transition Team. In 2021, he was appointed to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as Chair, a role in which he continues to serve.

Before joining the University, Tony transitioned from speechwriting to a career in Communications within the financial services sector, beginning as Executive Vice President at MBNA America. He then led Communications for Bank of America’s largest divisions, founding and developing the Corporate Reputation group.

Tony has been awarded honors such as the Whitney M. Young Award for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor; the Excellence in Education Award given by the Delaware Barristers Association; and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Urban Fellows and Public Allies.

Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Cofounder of Public Allies Delaware, Chair Emeritus of the National Urban Fellows, and a Distinguished Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration, Tony also serves on the Boards of Graham and Pepco Holdings.

Tony holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy from the University of Delaware, as well as a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College (City University of New York). He is the proud husband of Ms. Tara Allen and father of four fantastic children.

Helen Arthur, MHA

As section chief for the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section in the Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Helen Arthur leads Delaware’s health promotion and disease prevention initiatives in the areas of cancer, diabetes and heart disease, tobacco, obesity prevention, physical activity, nutrition, Women, Infants and Children services, and health surveillance to address the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Mrs. Arthur joined DHSS in October 2004 with more than 19 years of experience in public health administration, serving previously as the oral health grant administrator in the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services, the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Coordinator in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention Director in the Health Promotion Bureau. Prior to assuming her current position, Mrs. Arthur served as the director of planning and policy and deputy director for the Delaware Health Care Commission. She received a Master of Science in management with a focus in health care administration from Wilmington University in December 2011 and an undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University’s School of Health Sciences. Mrs. Arthur is also an active member of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN

Dr. Bethany Hall-Long has served as Delaware’s 26th lieutenant governor since 2017. As a member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 and in the Delaware Senate from 2008 to 2017.

Bethany was born and raised in Sussex County on her family farm with her two older brothers. She graduated from Indian River High School, where she met her husband, Dana, who served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. Later, she earned a BSN from Thomas Jefferson University, an MSN from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a PhD in health policy and nursing administration from George Mason University.

A lifelong nurse and research scientist, Bethany has dedicated her medical career to addressing health inequities and expanding treatment options and access for mental health care in Delaware. She has been nationally recognized for her research and community service record with at-risk groups such as pregnant teens, diabetics, the homeless, and people facing mental health challenges and substance use disorder.

Bethany also serves as the principal investigator of the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC), where she helps lead the state’s response to public health emergencies. In the fall of 2020, Governor Carney appointed Bethany to co-chair the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC). Comprising over 50 Delaware leaders in both the private and public sectors, the PRAC was tasked with preparing a pandemic playbook that included a strategy focused on health, business, and equity to combat a potential resurgence of COVID-19 in Delaware.

As lieutenant governor, Bethany led the effort to create the Behavioral Health Consortium to address the opioid epidemic and the substance use disorder and mental health challenges facing Delawareans. As chair, she convenes parents, teachers, law enforcement, health care professionals, lawmakers, and community members who have been impacted by mental health and addiction, to expand access to treatment and care. She believes that no one’s access to health care should be determined by their ZIP code. Her efforts have helped bring substantive and effective change in stemming the opioid crisis and creating a behavioral health system that works for everyone in Delaware.

In 2018, Governor Carney tapped Bethany to chair the Governor’s Complete Count Commission. She convened leaders from all over Delaware to make sure everyone was included in the census, including those hardest to count. Bethany believes that community engagement is the key to successful leadership. That is why, at the onset of the pandemic, she started monthly calls with community leaders from across the state to ensure equity and awareness in state services.

Bethany is currently a professor of nursing and joint faculty in urban affairs at the University of Delaware. Her unique blend of experience in academic research and public service has allowed her to be the leading voice in ensuring that we create a stronger, healthier Delaware. Committed to training and teaching the next generation, Bethany is the national co-chair of Million Women Mentors. Her work, research, and accomplishments focus on finding real solutions to vexing social problems. She uses her skills and unmatched experience to bring people together, build consensus, and help find common-sense solutions to issues facing Delaware families and communities.

Jennifer August, MCAT, ATR-BC, LPAT

Jennifer August is a licensed, registered, and board-certified art therapist. Over many years in clinical practice, Jennifer has established new art therapy programs for medical and psychiatric hospitals, alternative and other public schools, substance use disorder detox and rehab programs, centers for those with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities, residential trauma recovery centers, foster teen facilities, domestic violence treatment and prevention programs, and community-based art therapy treatment programs. Her practice is The Art Therapy Way in Lewes, Delaware (www.arttherapyway.com), where she treats virtually all ages and mental health diagnoses. She is deeply invested in advocacy for the art therapy profession, and in 2018 was the American Art Therapy Association’s legislative advocacy award recipient.

Steven Blessing

Effective Nov. 3, 2023, Steven Blessing was named director of the Division of Public Health (DPH), within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). In this role of directing one of the largest and most impactful divisions in state government, Steve oversees over 1,000 staff members and manages a $433 million budget in grant and state funding.

Previously, Steve served as interim DPH division director, starting in September 2023. He was named DPH deputy director in October 2022.

For 29 years, Steve has served DPH in various leadership positions, including emergency medical services director, paramedic administrator, and executive assistant to the division director. His longest tenure was 12 years at the helm of the Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section (EMSPS), which he led as section chief. As EMSPS chief, Steve led the development and expansion of DHSS’ response capacity during health and natural disasters.

During the COVID-19 response, Steve managed the State Health Operations Center (SHOC) and later served as the incident commander for the final phases of DPH’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. The COVID-19 SHOC event was the longest and most complex response in DPH history, running for more than two years. Steve also managed the SHOC during Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irene, the Ebola crisis, and other disease and weather-related emergencies.

Other notable career accomplishments include policy and legislative support for the development of Delaware’s statewide trauma system, the development of statewide electronic reporting for EMS, the Delaware EMS Reform Act of 1999, and the creation of the Public Health Preparedness program in Delaware. Steve was elected by his peers to a term as president of the National Association of State EMS Officials from 2008 to 2010. He has participated in a number of meaningful projects at the state and national levels with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Academy of Medicine, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Steve is a former U.S. Army officer and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in business from Webster University. He resides in Bear with his wife, Trish, sons Ethan and Emory, and their three dogs. He also has an adult son, William, who is a PhD chemist in Boston. In his spare time, Steve and his family like to go boating, fishing, and crabbing on the Bohemia River near Chesapeake City, Maryland.

Erin Booker, LPC

Erin Booker, LPC, is a trained addiction and trauma therapist who is now serving as the chief biopsychosocial officer at ChristianaCare. She joined ChristianaCare in 2015. In her role, Booker oversees the Office of Community Health, Complex Care and Community Medicine. In these areas she is responsible for developing strategic community partnerships, creating and implementing a portfolio of innovative programs and evidence-based initiatives to advance the health of the community, and identifying partners around ChristianaCare community benefit activities. Within her role she is also responsible for the implementation of the regional behavioral health and community medicine strategies as well as the integration of social care into the fabric of the organization to ensure whole person care. Within these areas she works to implement population health strategies to reduce the incidence of disease and improve health outcomes, advance prevention, respond to ChristianaCare Community Health Needs Assessment priority areas, and health disparities.

Lauren Butscher, CHES

Lauren Butscher is the program administrator for the Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) Program in the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health (DPH). In her current role, she leads statewide initiatives and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to improve healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among Delawareans. She also leads the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, which provides collaboration and resource sharing among community partners to improve efforts that reduce the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease. Prior to her current role, Lauren was a health promotion specialist at the American Lung Association, where she managed their tobacco prevention mini-grant program, collaborated with key stakeholders and community organizations, and provided resources and education to Delawareans. Lauren has a BS in health behavior science from the University of Delaware and is a certified health education specialist.

Vilicia Cade, EdD

Dr. Vilicia Cade, an accomplished educational leader, scholar, author, and social justice advocate, is the CEO and superintendent of the Capital School District, serving approximately 6,500 students in Dover, Delaware. She is the first Black female for the district and the only Black female superintendent in the state. In 2022, the district was one of three in the state to be awarded a National Blue-Ribbon distinction from the U.S. Department of Education. That year, the district and Dr. Cade received the governor’s Compassionate Champion Award for leadership in advancing systems that embrace the philosophy of trauma-informed care, and the district was also the first in the State of Delaware to be admitted into the national Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. Cade enthusiastically embraces her personal journey as a former ward of the State of New York, described in her debut bestseller If Not for Love. Her childhood has established a firm foundation for resilience, demonstrating the importance of empowering the disenfranchised. Cade earned her bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees, and doctorate from New York University. In 2020, she received the prestigious Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Education Advocate Centennial Dove Award. A radio personality on the Stellar-awarded WNZN in Lorain, Ohio, she uses urban inspiration to connect the significance of service, educational equity, and economic development. Dr. Cade has been appointed by President Biden to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

Peter Campbell

Peter Campbell has worked for the YMCA of Delaware since 2005 in various capacities, addressing the health issues of the communities the YMCA serves. Most recently, his role as the Healthy Living Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator has focused on underserved populations in Delaware dealing with issues surrounding pre-diabetes, diabetes, and cancer. To build relationships, he has partnered with community stakeholders, including primary care practices, health and community centers, politicians, and employers. Building alliances with community organizations has helped highlight the Y’s healthy living programs and how those programs can help build strong communities. His unusual trajectory into the world of health has its roots in the performing arts, Mr. Campbell having been engaged throughout the United States and Europe as an operatic bass for more than 30 years. His skills as a stage performer make him an ideal spokesperson for promoting an organization’s mission statement.

Lori Ciabattoni, BS, NCTTP

Lori Ciabattoni is a Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist collaborating with patients throughout the ChristianaCare Healthcare System. She has almost three decades of experience in the healthcare field, working in areas such as emergency medicine, home health, research, behavioral health, and academics. Her love for helping people led her to obtain a Bachelor of Science in behavioral science from Wilmington University and several certifications. Lori enjoys learning about new topics and methods to further assist her fellow Delawareans.

Emily Coggin Vera, LCSW

Emily Coggin Vera is the executive director at the Mental Health Association in Delaware, where she has worked since 2009. She was formerly the Deputy Director and the Project Director of Suicide Prevention, during which time she facilitated the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition, coordinating suicide prevention efforts by multiple agencies throughout the state. She collaborates with other agencies to provide advocacy and enhanced understanding of mental health in the community, and is responsible for maintaining financial accountability, sustainability, and operational effectiveness at MHA. Emily received her master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Tanya Haley, MS, CHES, CHWC, AE-C

Tanya Haley is a seasoned health and wellness professional currently working as a Health Promotion Specialist with the American Lung Association. Tanya’s experience and skills include evidence-based knowledge of health promotion, health and wellness program development, health education, and community translational research. Tanya holds several health certifications including Certified Health Coach from the University of Delaware and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She recently received her certification as an asthma educator (AE-C). She holds a Master of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Delaware.

Rachel E. Hersh, MSN-PH, RN

Rachel Hersh is the deputy director of La Red Health Center (La Red), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in Sussex County, where she directs her passion for health equity towards supporting La Red’s team to better enable them to serve a diverse patient population, with a particular focus on access to health care of Latino and Haitian Creole individuals and families. These Sussex County communities face unique and often extreme health equity challenges stemming from factors such as language barriers, medical anthropological differences, immigration challenges, and transportation limitations. As a public health nurse, she has dedicated herself to serving marginalized and socially/economically at-risk communities. Her commitment to the health and cultural wellness of vulnerable populations has been evident in her roles at urban FQHCs, in implementation research at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), and now at La Red Health Center. She has played a key role in designing and implementing integrated clinical and community service lines, using innovative models to enhance access to care and reduce barriers within primary medical, oral health, and behavioral health systems. She is also enthusiastic about mitigating substance use disorder and related fatalities through every aspect of her community work as well, and has led many projects addressing addiction recovery, community well-being, stigma-reduction, and first responder initiatives. Rachel firmly advocates that communities must actively inform and play a role in programs designed to impact their health and wellness, aligning with her strong belief in the importance of community engagement and participation.

Darrell McDonald

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 2, Darrell McDonald has overcome physical challenges to become a successful music producer and DJ. Going by the handle DJ HanD Man, Darrell has been a DJ since the age of 12. He is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and spends much of his time visiting hospitals to motivate other individuals with disabilities. He advocates for people to move freely in the community and for people with disabilities not to be pushed aside. Darrell works in health care to seek alternatives for movement, diet, cleanliness, and other services.

Nicholas Moriello, RHU

Nick Moriello has served as president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware since 2018. He is responsible for ensuring operational and member experience excellence, fostering strong provider and stakeholder relationships, and creating positive workplace culture. Under his leadership, Highmark has invested more than $20 million in health equity and access projects throughout the state through its donor-advised fund BluePrints for the Community, and the company has earned Top Workplace Delaware and USA designations. Highmark continues to be a community and nonprofit champion, receiving Delaware State University’s community partner award in 2023 and supporting efforts such as the Governor’s GEAR P3 program, Delaware’s Primary Care Investment Initiative, and Healthy Communities Delaware. Before joining Highmark, Mr. Moriello ran his own agency, Health Insurance Associates (HIA), which became one of the largest independent health insurance agencies in the region. He is a 14-time recipient of the National Association of Healthcare Underwriters Leading Producers Round Table’s highest award, the Lifetime & Qualifying Soaring Eagle, and he received the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors 2013 Carl Hill Memorial Award for dedication to the industry and community. Mr. Moriello completed The Wharton School’s “Leading to a Higher Mark” program and is a LUMA Institute Certified Practitioner of Human-Centered Design and Registered Health Underwriter from American College. He earned his BA in management from DeSales University.

Jessica Moyer

Jessica Moyer is a TEDx speaker, coach, and author of Triumph Through the Tears. Her passion and purpose to help women live fully through embracing their health (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually) has led her to open a boutique wellness studio, The Ice House: Wellness + Community, in Delaware. In addition, she is the owner of Jessica Moyer/Coach, Speaker, Author to help people find hope through loss and grief. With certifications as a Ziglar Legacy Coach and John Maxwell Coach/Trainer, as well as multiple wellness certifications, she has helped thousands of women transform their lives over the past 15 years. In addition, she holds many wellness certifications. Her passion to help her community is evident in her involvement in different charities. She is the president of Cure SMA South Jersey/Delaware Chapter for 20 years and raised more than $2 million in funding, a nine-year participant in Dancing with Delaware Stars to benefit Mom’s House, and a board member of Boys & Girls Club. She also served as an honorary commander for three years at the Dover Air Force Base. Most importantly, she is devoted to her impressive husband of 25 years, Jason Moyer, doctor of optometry and wellness coach, and mom to four beautiful loving children, Isobel, Blaise, Jake, and angel Steven. She is enthusiastic about God, running, fitness, community, travel, and helping women identify and live their purpose through a healthy lifestyle!

Priscilla Murphy, MS, MEd, BSN, RN, LPCM

Priscilla Murphy is a graduate of Wilmington University with a dual master’s degree in clinical counseling and education, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Widener University and a diploma in nursing from Bryn Mawr School of Nursing. As a licensed board-certified therapist, she has a private practice in Wilmington, Delaware. Her 31 years of professional nursing has motivated her to advocate to ensure healthcare equity. In the field of mental health counseling, she works to make her clients understand that their voice is heard along with giving them the tools to manage life changes. As a strong advocate for eliminating mental health stigma, she focuses on educating all minority populations to seek professional services. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Nurses Association, National Council of Negro Women, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for professional counselors at Wilmington University; the Delta Chi chapter of Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Counselors; and Kent County, Delaware unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians. Recently, she was appointed to the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Examination Sensitivity and Bias Review Committee for five years. She served a five-year term as grant reviewer for the National Advisory Center for Healthcare Strategies Inc. for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she worked to improve outcomes for children with asthma.

Freda Patterson, PhD

Dr. Patterson is a professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Science and in the Program in Epidemiology at the College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware. Here she directs the interdisciplinary Sleep and Circadian Health Research Program, which is dedicated to understanding the upstream role of sleep and circadian health on engagement in other key health behaviors, and the independent role of sleep and circadian health on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Much of her work is guided by the multiple health behavior change (MHBC) and 24-hour movement paradigms that emphasize the interdependence between cardiometabolic risk behaviors (i.e., rest/sleep, activity, diet). Consistent with these parameters, she serves as a senior investigator on a study that is evaluating the temporal characteristics of rest/sleep, activity, and diet, and their association with subclinical cardiovascular disease markers in healthy young adults. She also leads a prospective cohort study that is using annual micro-longitudinal assessments to examine the extent to which sleep health directly and indirectly predicts cardiopulmonary deficits across time in a sample of 400 Black or African American smokers. Dr. Patterson also directs a study that assesses the extent to which a telehealth sleep health intervention optimizes smoking cessation treatment response and improves cardiovascular health.

Michael Sanchez, PT, DPT, CLT, FSOAE, STMT

Michael Sanchez is a seasoned doctor of physical therapy, specializing in orthopedics; gerontology; neurologic, cardiovascular, and traumatic brain injuries; musculoskeletal disorders; workers’ compensation injuries; injuries from motor vehicle accidents; and sports-related injuries. As a dedicated family man, he is the proud father of two sons, ages 23 and 19. His older son graduated from the University of South Carolina, and his younger son is currently enrolled at Drexel University. Mike has been married for 26 years to his youthful and supportive wife, Rosanna, who emanates energy and vibrancy. Raised in California by a Navy father and a sales professional mother, he is deeply rooted in community activism, actively participating in fundraisers and local outreach programs. Mike’s daily mantra revolves around self-improvement in work, family, and life: Be better than yesterday.

Lydia Sarson

Lydia Sarson joined Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids (HFHK) as executive director in 2021 after nearly a decade spent in international business development in both the private and nonprofit sectors. Using her experience in corporate development and nonprofit management, combined with her personal love of cooking and gardening, Lydia is excited to continue HFHK’s mission to “veggie-cate the First State.” Lydia holds a BS in international relations, a BA in German language studies, and a BA in Russian language studies from West Chester University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She also holds a postgraduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Drexel University. Lydia is a former member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia, a board member of The Rotary Foundation, and a founding member of the Philadelphia Global Business Alliance. She currently sits on the Delaware Advisory Council of the United States Global Leadership Coalition, for which she was a member of the Pennsylvania Council for five years. Lydia is also the communications chair for the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition and sits on both the Education and Farm to School committees for the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, an advisory council to Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture.

Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, PsyD, MSW, CAADC

Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones currently serves as the new founding dean for Delaware State University’s Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Prior to the appointment as dean, Dr. Scott-Jones served as chair and associate professor in the Department of Psychology for approximately 12 years. She earned her BS in psychology and MSW degrees from Delaware State University. Subsequent to receiving those degrees, she attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and obtained a master’s in clinical psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology with certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Scott-Jones specializes in forensic psychology, adult psychopathology, trauma-related disorders, organizational trauma, sport psychology, and substance abuse treatment. Her research interests are adult pathology, suicide prevention, trauma, and program development and implementation. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and was selected by the sorority as the national Distinguised Professor Endowed Chair. Dr. Scott-Jones was appointed by the Governor of Delaware to serve on the State of Delaware’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Board. She is a member of Delaware’s Health Care Commission Workforce Subcomitte and serves as board president for Slaughter Neck Community Action.

Debbie Smith, MBA

Debbie Smith assumed the role as Bayhealth’s first manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion in February 2023. She brings years of experience in community engagement to this work. Ms. Smith manages all things diversity, equity, and inclusion for Bayhealth’s 4,000+ employees. In addition to her work at Bayhealth, she volunteers in the community, serving on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels Delaware, YMCA Dover, and the American Heart Association, and is appointed by Governor Carney to the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. She serves on the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee and is a member of Delaware’s PANO Advancing Healthy Lifestyles initiative, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. With a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MBA from Delaware State University, Ms. Smith went on to receive a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion from Cornell University in 2020. She also plans to pursue a doctor of business administration degree.

Devona E. G. Williams, MPA, PhD

Dr. Devona Williams founded Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc. (GWA), in 1986 to “help organizations achieve greater productivity in strategic work environments.” As President/CEO of GWA, Dr. Williams has contributed her talents to helping nearly 60,000 individuals in hundreds of organizations across all industries increase their performance and effectiveness. Dr. Williams is an expert in strategic planning, organizational performance assessment and development, focus groups, and meeting/retreat facilitation. The major focus of her consulting is on cultural diversity/inclusion, leadership, and business success. An active public servant, Dr. Williams is the immediate past chairwoman of the board of trustees for Delaware State University and was presented with the Order of the First State by Governor Carney for her leadership. Williams holds a doctorate in Urban Affairs & Public Policy from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. A distinguished alum, Dr. Williams received the Kathleen M. Siegfried Leadership Award from the University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship Program. In October 2020, Dr. Williams was inducted into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

Devona E.G. Williams, PhD

Dr. Devona Williams founded Goeins-Williams Associates (GWA) in 1986 to help organizations achieve greater productivity in strategic work environments. As president/CEO of GWA, Devona has contributed her talents to helping nearly 60,000 individuals in hundreds of organizations across all industries increase their performance and effectiveness. She is an expert in strategic planning, organizational performance assessment and development, focus groups, and meeting/retreat facilitation. Her consulting focuses on cultural diversity/inclusion, leadership, and business success. An active public servant, Devona is chair of the board of trustees for Delaware State University. She holds a doctorate in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy. A distinguished alum, Devona received the Kathleen Siegfried Leadership Award from the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship Program. In October 2020, she was inducted into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

Molly Yoo

Molly Yoo is the director of grants development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. Her key responsibilities include writing and researching grants, data management, program evaluation support, and providing technical assistance to sites to ensure grant deliverables are met. Molly has worked in various positions within the organization, starting as an education and site director and eventually becoming the Statewide STEAM director, where she expanded STEAM offerings, provided professional development to staff, and managed various grants and funding sources. As the assistant regional director for New Castle County School sites as well as an assistant in statewide compliance, she became familiar with the state’s childcare licensing standards. In her most recent role within the Grants Department, Molly worked on developing data collection and evaluation tools to measure the impacts of various programs in healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, and social-emotional learning. Molly holds a BA in English from Wesley College and an MA in teaching from Wilmington University.