Meet the Team
Meet the passionate team driving the mission of the Center for Heirs’ Property®. These are the leaders protecting land, legacy, and justice to build generational wealth.
Meet the Heart Behind the Mission
At the Center for Heirs’ Property®, our work is rooted in family, legacy, and justice. Behind every acre we protect and every family we serve is a team of passionate advocates, legal experts, community builders, and change-makers who believe that land is more than property; it’s heritage.
Each member of our team brings a deep commitment to preserving generational landownership, empowering families with knowledge, and fighting for equity in communities. While we come from diverse backgrounds, we all share one vision: a future where heirs’ property owners are informed, protected, and able to build generational wealth.
Our Leadership Team
Rooted in service and guided by justice, the Center for Heirs’ Property® Board of Directors is a dedicated group of community leaders, legal and forestry professionals, and advocates who help steer the organization’s vision of a nation where everyone can rightfully enjoy the legacy of home.
Alan McGregor
Vice President for Communities (Retired)
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
Alexander C. Rhue
Treasurer, Senior Manager of Analytics & Insights Lead
TD Bank
Angela Richmond Gaddist
Secretary, Regional Communications Director
United Healthcare
Ashley H. Amundson, Esq
Partner
Harvey and Battey, P.A.
Brenda Hughes, MPH
Lowcountry Region, Community Engagement Team Manager
SC Dept of Health
Cynthia O'Dell
Senior Advisory Specialist
Wells Fargo
(In Memoriam) Darlene L. Broughton
Resident Construction Engineer
S.C. Department of Transportation
Daryl Brewton
Vice Chair, Executive Board Strategist & Business Development Consultant
CPR Group
Faith Rivers James, JD
Executive Director
SC Coastal Conservation League
Gregory (Greg) L. Phillips
Founding Member
Phillips Kaiser PLLC
James (Jim) D. Myrick, Esq
Chair, Partner (Retired)
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Kristopher Pickler JD
Immediate Past Chair,
General Counsel Global Real Estate
Honeywell International
Leonard A. McIntyre, PhD
Immediate Past Chair, College President (Retired)
Louis Manigault
Senior Project Engineer
Lowcountry Superior Properties
Margie Pizarro, Esq
Governance Committee Chair
Magistrate Court Judge
Dorchester County
Penny Renee Ford-Lopez
Senior Manager (Retired)
Office of Belonging, Diversity & Equity
Walmart
Sabrina A. Brown
(Retired) -
Naval Health Clinic
Charleston
Tharlyn Fox
Program Manager, Region 4 Professional Organizations
John Deere
Tory J. Liferidge
Pastor
Grace Reformed Episcopal Church
Our Staff
At the Center for Heirs’ Property®, our staff is more than a team—we are passionate advocates, legal experts, foresters, educators, and community-builders committed to helping families protect what matters most: their land, their legacy, and their future. Together, we are seeding a future where every family can rightfully hold, steward, and pass on their land with dignity. Meet the people making that future possible.
Jennie L. Stephens, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Josh F. Walden, Esq.
Chief of Operations
Cheryl Reid, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Brett Wadford, MPA
Chief Partnerships Officer
Danyelle O’Hara
Chief Projects Officer
Danica Whitney
Director of Executive Operations
Sharon Piggs
Executive Assistant
Esther Adams, MPA
Director of Community Engagement
Nulani Bennett
Director of Development
Rhonda Champion
Director of Accounting
Brianna Jackson, Esq.
Director of Legal Services
Tom Keppeler
Director of Communications
Steve Patterson
Director of Forestry Services
Brianna S. Roberts
Program Compliance Manager
Alexa R. Stephens
Director of Projects
Jacqueline W. Wilson
Director of Administration
Load more
Alfonso “AC” Riley
Community Engagement Specialist
Allison Swartz
Paralegal - Charleston Office
Alyssa Rocas
Staff Attorney
Angel M. Gonzalez
Database & Office Systems Coordinator
Anjali Pandey
Development Assistant
Ariel Jenkins
Paralegal
Ashley Walker
Project Coordinator - Charleston County Settlement Grant
Asija Rice
Project Forester
Brendan McPherson
Development Communication and Operations Coordinator
Damonja Hilton
Law Fellow
David J. Meury, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Deloris Gibson
Accounting Specialist
Gino Truncellito, Esq.
Staff Attorney – Florence Office
Henry D. Poole
Forester
Hunter Roberts
Forestry Technician
James Williams
Forester
Janessa Butler
Marketing and Communications Manager
Katrice B. Keith
Legal Administrative Assistant - Florence Office
Kayra Rice
Community Engagement Specialist
Kiara Rollerson
Paralegal - Columbia Office
Latesha Smith
Events and Engagement Manager
LaVerda James
Paralegal Supervisor
Marcus Gurley
Forestry Engagement Specialist
Monica Frasier
Community Engagement Specialist
Monica Graves
Community Engagement Specialist
Nina "Nikki" Sperling, Esq.
Staff Attorney II - Main Office
Rena M. Pinckney
Legal Administrative Assistant - Main Office
Rufus Washington
Staff Accountant
Sabrina Johnson
Staff Attorney
Sarah H. Jones
Forestry Administrative Associate
Shyann J. Capers
Paralegal
Sonya H. Laribo
Human Resources Specialist
Walter Whetstone
Stewardship Forester
Y. Elizabeth Wellman, Esq.
Staff Attorney - Main Office
Our East Texas Team
Dr. John Cooper
Consulting Project Director
Jennifer Mouton Robinson
Staff Attorney
Keyshawn Miller
ETHPi Program Coordinator
Patricia Lester
Paralegal
Susan Garcia
Executive Assistant
Alexis Martin
Regional Forester
Our Funding Partners
At the Center for Heirs’ Property®, our mission to protect land and legacy extends beyond state lines. Through the East Texas Heirs’ Property Initiative, we’re addressing urgent needs in a region which holds great potential. To achieve our goals, we’re partnering with local organizations and community leaders to build a model tailored to East Texas — one that empowers families, strengthens local efforts, and expands our impact across the South.
Partner With Us
Whether you’re interested in funding a program, sharing your expertise by volunteering, or expanding this work to new regions, there’s a place for you in this movement!
