Kinn Elliott
Board Chair
Kinn Elliott is a government affairs consultant, specializing in health care. He has 30 years of experience in lobbying political action and grassroots activism.
After graduating from college at the University of South Carolina, Kinn worked in state politics, serving as the Executive Director of the SC Democratic Party and lobbied the state legislature. He spent eight years in Washington, DC working in government affairs with the American Medical Association and two years in Atlanta as Director of Government Affairs for the Medical Association of Georgia. Kinn went on lead the government affairs team for, Medimmune, a mid-size biotechnology company, and served as the National Sales Director for the company’s infectious disease franchise.
Katie Reams
Vice Chair
Katie Reams is the Director of United for ALICE, Trident United Way, Charleston, SC. Before joining the United Way Association of SC, Reams worked in the Upstate as a Houseparent for six years at Collins Children's Home working directly with children and families in crisis. She also serves as a Tricounty SPEAKS Board Member and Lowcountry Continuum of Care Governing Council Member.
Reams has a Bachelor's in Communication Studies from Clemson University and lives in Charleston with her family.
Christine Wallace
Secretary
Christine Wallace began her career in 1992 working on the front lines with adolescent youth. Today, she serves as Chief of Staff at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Her experience spans more than 30 years working with various child-servicing agencies in an effort to address the needs of youth and families in South Carolina. This includes having more than 15 years directly in juvenile justice and numerous years in executive leadership positions. Christine received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), which is a nationally accredited comprehensive management development program.
Christine is committed to the betterment of local communities and has served on numerous boards and commissions to include a prior appointment to the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council (GJJAC), where she specifically focused on addressing issues of disproportionality in South Carolina’s juvenile justice system and interventions to promote youth and family well-being. Christine is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc , the Upsilon Omega Omega Chapter in Irmo, SC where she resides. As an empty nester with two adult children, Christine enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband.
Hope Garcia, RN, BSN, MSA, CLC, NEA-BC
Immediate Past Chair
Hope Garcia resides in Spartanburg, SC where she works at Spartanburg Regional Health System as the Director of Women & Children Services. She has her Bachelors in Nursing and Masters in Health Administration. She oversees Labor & Delivery, Mother Baby, Neonatal Intensive care, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatrics, Lactation, Nurse Family Partnership, Safe Kids, and Contraception Coordination. While primarily in the acute care setting also is heavily involved in the health of the community and sits on several committees including The Road to Better Health, Co-Chairs the Cities Birth Outcomes Initiative, and co-chairs the Health group for the Child-Well Being Coalition of SC.
Rev. Dr. Terry Alexander
Representative Terry Alexander is the South Carolina House of Representative for District No. 59, serving Florence and Darlington Counties, and has been an elected official for over 26 years, beginning his career as the field director for Congressman Robin Tallon. He went on to serve on the Florence County Council for 16 years. He is a businessman, an education consultant, a career development counselor, a pastor and an adjunct professor of religion. He received an Associate’s Degree from Durham Business College, his B.A. from Francis Marion University, his M. Div. degree from Howard University and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. He obtained Two Units of Clinical Pastoral Education from Palmetto Health Alliance; attended the Graduate Institute of Government for County Officials and the Graduate South Carolina Economic Developers’ School. He is a lifelong youth advocate, humanitarian and has served as the former president of the Florence County Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and the NAACP. He is a charter member of the Florence Breakfast Rotary Club, the Mercy Medicine Board and works with the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV-AIDS Task Force and serves on the South Carolina House of Representatives’ Study Committee on Opioid Abuse. He serves on the Education and Public Works Committee, as well as the Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee in the House of Representatives. He is also an alumni of Institute of Medicine and Public Health Policy Fellows Program and now serves on the Institute of Medicine and Public Health’s Board of Directors. He is concerned with issues of healthcare, education and justice and is compassionate about using his life to serve God and humanity. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Edward Bender
Edward Bender is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and grew up miles from the state Capitol. It is unclear whether this geographic proximity to the State House resulted in his career in government affairs and policy. Edward is a proud graduate of Dreher High School, the University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He began his career working as the legislative liaison for the South Carolina Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism. After a brief stint in New York City, working as a speechwriter for someone who did not like to give speeches, he moved home to attend law school. From there, Edward began practicing with the firm Nexsen Pruet (now Maynard Nexsen) where he represented hospitals in a wide array of legal matters. But the grind of the billable hour and the draw of public service led Edward back to the State House. During his time at the State House, Edward served as a staff attorney for the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee and as Counsel to the Clerk of the Senate. Edward then blended his two previous roles when he became the lobbyist and General Counsel for the South Carolina Hospital Association. During his time at SCHA, Edward developed state-wide health care policy and advocated on behalf of South Carolina’s hospitals and health systems. Currently, Edward serves as the Director of Public Policy for State Affairs for AmeriHealth Caritas. In this role, he oversees state Medicaid policy initiatives in 13 states and the District of Columbia. Outside of work, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife Erin and their 4 kids. He also lifts heavy weights and struggles with the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Because he is a lifelong fan of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Edward has learned you can never take life too seriously.
Dr. Dawn Bingham
Dr. Dawn Bingham is a board certified OBGYN and clinical associate professor with over 20 years of delivering babies and experience in clinical care for the women of South Carolina. Dr. Bingham is the Chair for the South Carolina Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Chair of the Advocacy Committee on the Board of United Way of the Piedmont. She is an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, where she helps to lead the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty. She has been a frequent testifier at the SC Statehouse for women’s rights, and is a trusted, tireless advocate for the health and welfare of women in South Carolina.
Dr. Bingham is on the faculty of USC-Columbia School of Medicine where she teaches residents and medical students and practices full scope OB/GYN at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, where she also serves as Vice Chair for the Campus Executive Committee, and on the Prisma Health Richland Board of Trustees, and was awarded the Prisma Health system ‘Woman of Impact’ award for 2021. She also serves as the OB/GYN liaison to the Legislative Inter-specialty Council of the South Carolina Medical Association. She envisions a better, healthier South Carolina for all our families, and strives to build legislative policies for foundational public health improvement.
Deborah Hopla, DNP, APRN-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Deborah is a Professor and Director of the MSN & DNP Programs at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. She has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for 28 years. She attended Georgia Baptist School of Nursing. Her ADN degree is from West Georgia College (now known as West Georgia State University). Her BSN was from the Medical University of South Carolina through the satellite program at Francis Marion University. She obtained her MS/FNP and DNP for the University of South Carolina.
Deborah has served on the South Carolina Advisory Committee for Nursing Education and held leadership positions on the APRN Chapter for South Carolina. She has served as a preceptor Nurse Practitioner students for 18 years and serves as a role model and mentor for NPs. She is the Director of the MSN/FNP and DNP programs at Francis Marion University. Deborah is President of the South Carolina Nursing Foundation Board who provides nursing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
Deborah received the Outstanding Community Health Nurse of the Year Award from the Pee Dee Nurses Association and the Community Health Nurse of the Year from the South Carolina Nurses Association. She was awarded the AJN Excellence in Writing Award for South Carolina. Deborah won a scholarship to Beth Israel Hospital to study “Pain Management”. Her doctoral thesis “The Early Use of Insulin in Type II Diabetes: Achieving Better Glycemic Control and Preventing Adverse Complications” validates current practice for diabetic patients.
Deborah is a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Sarah Hughes, M. Ed.
Sarah Hughes is a fundraising professional with fifteen years of development experience in Higher Education and K-12 schools. Since May of 2020, Sarah has served as the Executive Director of Institutional Philanthropy at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia SC. She previously led development efforts at the University of South Carolina School of Law for four years. Prior to returning to South Carolina in 2016, Sarah worked at Washington & Lee University School of Law in various roles within the Office of Development for ten years.
Sarah is a graduate of Presbyterian College and received her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. She currently serves as a Trustee on the National Panhellenic Council Foundation Board and a member of the Development Committee for the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Foundation Board.
Berry Kelly
Berry Kelly is the Director of the Bureau of Community Nutrition Services and State WIC Director at the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Community Nutrition Services, resides within the Health Programs Branch of Health Promotions and Programs at DPH. The mission of Community Nutrition Services is to improve access to nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and opportunities for daily physical activity through nutrition education, policy, systems, and collaboration.
The bureau consists of four sections: Section of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Section of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (SNPAO), Section of Public Health Nutrition Practice and SNAP-ED and the Section of WIC Controls and Analytics. While each area is slightly different, they all have one common focus, healthy people, living in healthy communities across South Carolina.
Berry has a long, distinguished military career, and is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medal. Berry has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the National WIC Association and is a frequent speaker across South Carolina and the nation.
ReZsaun Lewis
ReZsaun Lewis is a veteran, leader, and community advocate and serves as Executive Director of Lowcountry Youth Services. This non-profit organization empowers young people to achieve their full potential through youth empowerment programs and community workshops. He is passionate about creating positive change for the next generation and ensuring that "Every Child Wins." ReZsaun has also held various leadership roles in the non-profit sector, such as the Chair of the IDEA Committee for the Association for Fundraising Professionals Board of Directors, a 2022-2023 Investing in Leaders of Color (ILOC) Fellow, and a co-creation partner with E3 Foundation. He has a wealth of experience and expertise in youth development, non-profit management, fundraising, diversity, equity, and inclusion. ReZsaun resides with his wife, Latoya, and their five children in Summerville, South Carolina. He is a respected and influential voice in youth development and non-profit management.
Judith Locklear
I am currently working full-time as a board-certified nurse midwife at UNC Women’s Health at the Oaks in Lumberton, North Carolina. I reside in Robeson County with my husband and two daughters, where I was born and raised. I have 25+ years in the medical field, and I am firmly committed to serving and improving the health of all women regardless of age, culture, or sexual identity.
I received my Master's in Nurse Midwifery from East Carolina University in 2005. After working on the clinical side for many years, I recently pursued my Master of Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare from UNC Pembroke in May of 2024 to help me further positively impact women's healthcare from a leadership position.
Beyond providing OB/GYN care at UNC Southeastern, I help train residents and medical students and serve on the hospital credentialing committee. I am also a certified Lamaze childbirth educator, helping to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes for both teen and adult mothers.
Ali B. Mansaray
Ali B. Mansaray is the Director of the STD/HIV & Viral Hepatitis Division, Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention & Control, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Ali has over 20 years of experience in public health practice and research, mostly in STD/HIV/AIDS, but including chronic disease prevention and control, behavioral and health services research, policy and management. His baccalaureate education was in Philosophy and the English Language, his master’s in health education, Promotion and Behavior, and his doctoral studies in Health Services Policy and Management. He has extensive experience in program development, implementation, evaluation, management, and oversight, as well as theoretical and applied research. Ali previously worked with DHEC in different program areas, including as Program Coordinator in the Divisions of STD/HIV and Healthy Aging, Program and Evaluation consultant in the Office of Minority Health, and as Evaluator in the Office of Program Evaluation Services. In between, Ali worked as Director of Community Health Promotion and Prevention with the Camden Area Health Education Center, Camden NJ, and as Evaluation and Data analyst on an NIH-funded Faith-based Community Based Participatory Research for Colorectal Cancer Prevention among African Americans in the Midlands of South Carolina. He has served on several Boards of Directors, including that for the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). Ali is a published poet and a pedestrian philosopher, and is married and blessed with six children.
Rev. Don Flowers
Emeritus Board Member
From 1994-1996, Rev. Don Flowers served as the first-ever Board Chair of the SC Campaign. He served a second term as Board Chair from 2007-2009 and currently serves on the board as an emeritus member. Rev. Flowers has been a vocal leader and advocate for the issue of teen pregnancy prevention across the state. His ideas, passion and insight are the driving force behind many of the SC Campaign’s accomplishments. To acknowledge his leadership and contributions, Rev. Flowers was awarded the Murray L. Vincent Outstanding Prevention Professional award in 2009.
Rev. Flowers is currently the pastor of Kernersville Moravian Church, Kernersville, North Carolina. Prior to serving at Kernersville Moravian Church, Rev. Flowers has been the pastor at Port Williams United Baptist Church, Port Williams, NS Canada and Providence Baptist Church on Daniel Island. He received his BA in Religion from Wake Forest University in 1980, a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985 and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in 2000. While a student at Emory, he focused his work on sexual ethics for parents, which ultimately was the topic of his dissertation.
Dr. Grant Warren
Emeritus Board Member
Dr. Grant Warren, a board-certified OB/GYN at Piedmont Women’s Healthcare in Spartanburg, SC, rejoins the board after previously serving two full terms. A native of North Carolina, Grant received his medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine and completed his OB-GYN internship and residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and specializes in urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse, and Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS).