Meet the Faces Behind Our Mission
Behind every initiative, every program, and every success story, there are passionate individuals who make it all possible. Meet the dedicated minds and compassionate hearts that form the backbone of our organization. Each member brings their unique skills, experiences, and unwavering commitment to the table, united by a common goal – to create a brighter, healthier, and more resilient community.
Renée Byrd-Lewis
President and CEO
Nearly three decades of private and public sector experience fuels a diverse portfolio of capabilities in community development, social responsibility, and communications.
Previous roles include Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Communications at Georgia Gwinnett College, Director of Community Relations at Cisco Systems and Scientific Atlanta, and senior consultant for nonprofits seeking to increase organizational capacity.
Ms. Byrd-Lewis is adept at transcending industry and functional boundaries and leveraging an extensive network to achieve desired outcomes. A Gwinnett County resident since 1995, Ms. Byrd-Lewis is an engaged leader with deep community knowledge. She is a Past Board Chair of Leadership Gwinnett Foundation and serves as a Board member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation.
Ms. Byrd-Lewis earned a master’s degree from Georgia State University, and dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Emory University, and resides in Buford with her husband and two sons.
Vala Clark
Chief Engagement Officer
Vala Clark serves as the Chief Engagement Officer for the Gwinnett Coalition. She develops and executes organizational strategic initiatives and oversees all of the Coalition’s marketing, communications, and community engagement activities.
Vala attended the University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Communication Studies with a minor in Sociology. Go Dawgs!
She brings more than 20 years of diverse experience, from the private and public sectors, to the Coalition.
For more than a decade, she worked in the private sector focusing on project management, process development and optimization, and training initiatives with organizations like Alcon and FedEx.
In the public sector at Georgia Gwinnett College, Vala spent several years serving in leadership roles within Academic and Student Affairs and Public Affairs where she specialized in project management, digital communications, communications strategy, and engagement.
When Vala isn’t strategizing and creating for the Gwinnett Coalition, she can be found exercising her green thumb, spending time with friends and family, including her two chihuahuas, painting, and enjoying the outdoors.
Aliza Gevirtz, MA
Director of Community Engagement
Shannon Hervey, Ph.D
Director of Community Health
Kamesha Walker, MPH
Community Health Program Manager
Kamesha Walker serves as the Community Health Program Manager for the Gwinnett Coalition where she is leading initiatives and programs that build capacity and improve community health in Gwinnett County.
Kamesha has a bachelor’s of Biology from Spelman College and a master’s of Public Health from Mercer University. She is an experienced clinic manager and public health professional with a strong background in patient care management, program management, grant writing, and community outreach.
Kamesha is passionate about positively impacting hospital and healthcare program development in our community.
Kayla Peeples
Senior Marketing and Engagement Coordinator
Kayla Peeples is a “communications enthusiast” who believes that storytelling is an art form. Her love for writing, creative expression, and human services led her to Gwinnett Coalition.
As a proud University of Georgia alumna, Kayla earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, leveraging her childhood passion for writing as the cornerstone of her career.
With a varied background in state government, hospitality, and customer service, Kayla has discovered that connecting through conversation is a consistent theme in her career journey. Her experience in community outreach and advocacy against exploitation was cultivated in the public sector developing communications and marketing strategies.
Melissa Castaneda
Bilingual Community Engagement Coordinator
A passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, Melissa Castaneda serves as our Bilingual Community Engagement Coordinator and brings a wealth of experience and a personal commitment to empowering marginalized communities. Originally from El Salvador, Melissa immigrated to the United States as a young adult, and her journey has deeply shaped her understanding of the challenges and aspirations of immigrant life. This personal experience fuels her ongoing mission to support and uplift those in need.
With a professional background in International Relations and a specialization in Project Management and International Cooperation, Melissa has dedicated over a decade to working in community service, advocating for those who often lack a voice. In 2024, she joined the Gwinnett Coalition, where she continues to focus on promoting community well-being through essential information, resources, and guidance.
As a mother, aunt, and daughter, Melissa is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to the resources that can help them improve their lives and health. Her work is centered on equipping individuals and families with the tools they need to succeed and thrive, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. At the Gwinnett Coalition, she is committed to building a stronger, healthier community that celebrates diversity and champions the rights of all people.
Vanessa Orduna Zarazua, MPH
Community Engagement Coordinator
Vanessa Orduna Zarazua serves as a bilingual Community Engagement Coordinator at the Gwinnett Coalition. She earned her master’s of Public Health from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health with a focus on Global Health and specialization in Community Health Development.
During her collegiate career, she had the opportunity to complete internship programs at the Task Force for Global Health and the National Public Health Institute, a program of the Division of Global Health Protection, CDC.
She has experience with community engagement through volunteer work with the Ventanilla de Salud at the Mexican Consulate and conducting community health assessments for the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia (HHCGA). Her passion for community service and health advocacy, coupled with her experience and deep understanding of community outreach, make her well-equipped to foster meaningful connections and make a positive impact.
Vanessa moved to Georgia from Ohio in 2021, and now proudly calls Gwinnett her home. When Vanessa isn’t working to advance health and well-being for all Gwinnettians, you’ll find her planning her next epic trip abroad (maybe Egypt?), spending time with her fur baby, or visiting family and friends in Ohio.
Jesse Roles
Administrative Coordinator
Jesse Hughes serves as our Administrative Coordinator, bringing more than 12 years of experience in office operations with a specialized focus on project management, customer service, and enhancing procedural and operational efficiency to Gwinnett Coalition. Her background equips her to excel in administrative support, project coordination, and overseeing large-scale initiatives with precision and care.
Jesse majored in Business Management at Gwinnett Technical College, which has provided her with a solid foundation in organizational and leadership skills.
In addition to her professional expertise, Jesse is proficient in American Sign Language, enabling her to connect effectively with diverse communities and foster inclusive communication.
Her commitment to community service is long-standing. As a dedicated Girl Scout, she earned both the Bronze and Gold Awards, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to service. Her passion for the outdoors is reflected in her annual role as a Leader at Lilburn Day Camp, where she continues to inspire and guide young campers.
Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Jesse is enthusiastic about contributing to the Gwinnett Coalition’s mission of building a more equitable and resilient community.
Milcah Mccall
Helpline Specialist
Milcah Mccall serves as a Helpline Specialist for the Gwinnett Coalition. Upon retiring from a major airline in 2020 as a Ground Operations and Customer Service Leader, she decided to follow her passion, which is helping her community.
Milcah has held many extraordinary leadership positions where she was responsible for providing distinctive customer service and a delightful experience, all of which helped her grow in many aspects of her life. Her background also includes being a Finance Manager for over 13 years, college-level coursework in Childhood Education and Entrepreneurship, and owning a restaurant in her hometown Chicago, where she spent countless hours cooking for families in need.
Board of Directors
Jessica Andrews-Wilson
Executive Director, GUIDE, Inc.
Jessica Andrews-Wilson is the Executive Director at GUIDE, Inc., a substance abuse prevention and positive youth development agency in Lawrenceville, GA.
Jessica has volunteered and worked in various capacities with community mobilization, youth development and substance abuse prevention since her first year at GUIDE’s Georgia Teen Institute program in 1993 as a representative from Brookwood High School in Snellville.
GUIDE’s work focuses on community-level change around issues including suicide prevention, underage drinking, prescription drug abuse and vaping prevention, youth development training, youth empowerment and leadership, and all things that create safe and healthy communities.
Some of Jessica’s career highlights (so far!) include helping to create the Georgia Afterschool and Youth Development (ASYD) Initiative (and continuing to co-lead this initiative), becoming an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist through the Prevention Credentialing Consortium of Georgia, receiving the Ray Avant Excellence in Prevention Award and conducting trainings with some of the most talented and respected trainers this side of the Mississippi.
Jessica earned her Master of Science degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and believes wholeheartedly that she has the best job in the world.
Marques Cole
Grace Fellowship Church
Marques holds a bachelor degree in Political Science from Georgia State University (08), a Juris Doctorate from DePaul College of Law (J.D. ’12), and is on staff as a Community Pastor at Grace Snellville in the suburbs of Atlanta. Marqus also serves as the National Director of Church and Community Engagement at the Evangelical Environmental Network.
Marqus was trained as part of the initial cohort of the Racial Justice Training Institute (’14), and has subsequently mentored others and remained an active part of the national community of advocates for a more just and equitable community. Marqus, his wife Amanda, his two daughters and dog enjoy exploring the parks all around Gwinnett County.
Jill Edwards
Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Manager, United Community Bank
Jill Cauthen Edwards is Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Manager, for United Community Bank. She is responsible for the Commercial Lending Team located in Northeast Georgia, with a focus on Gwinnett County. Prior to joining UCB, Jill served in leadership positions with Wells Fargo Bank.
Jill is a career veteran of the banking industry in Atlanta with most of her experience centered in the Gwinnett market where she serves on 5 boards.
She has been active with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for over 25 years, serving on their board for the past 5 years, most recently as the Vice-Chair of Economic Development and now as Chair-Elect, sits on their Executive Board. She is active with Partnership Gwinnett as well as the Gwinnett Chamber’s A-List Membership Drive, serving and chairing multiple committees over the years. Since 2014, Jill has sat on the board of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District which is tasked with enhancing the economic vitality of Gwinnett’s central business district.
In early 2019, Jill joined the board of the newly created entity, Across the Bridge. As their name suggests, ATB is a bridge from the world of addiction and life-changing circumstances to the hope of recovery.
In January 2020, she joined the board of Rainbow Village and the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services. Rainbow Village transforms the lives of homeless families with children by providing a stable community and services that instill initiative, self-development, and accountability for future generations. The Coalition is tasked with facilitating collaboration that improves the well-being of the community. In her spare time, Jill enjoys yoga, tennis, biking, skiing, and daily walks. She also makes jewelry – affectionately named jillery. Jill has a BS in Finance with a Management Science option, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Tina Fleming
Department of Community Services Director, Gwinnett County
Currently serving as Gwinnett’s Department of Community Services Director, Tina Fleming has been employed with Gwinnett County since 2001. Prior to Tina’s appointment as Community Services Director, she served as the Division Director of Parks and Recreation Operations and has more than 25 years of public service experience working with local communities in Georgia.
Her current areas of responsibility include Parks & Recreation, Health & Human Services, UGA Extension, Animal Welfare & Enforcement, Community Engagement & Collaboration, Voter Registrations and Elections, and she is the liaison with several community service organizations.
As a 2017 Voices for Georgia’s Children Big Voice Honoree, she was recognized as a leader in the state for expanding out-of-school time learning and wellness for children through Live Healthy Gwinnett.
A past Afterschool Alliance Ambassador and current member of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Gwinnett Board, she is relentless in finding new ways to promote health and wellness for Gwinnett, expand afterschool and summer learning and advocate for wrap-around services for the Gwinnett community.
Tina and her husband Jay live on the family’s 150-year-old farm. They have been blessed with 3 children – Melisa, Chris, and Kathryn and 5 amazing grandchildren – Emily, Addison, Bennett, Landrie, and Jack.
Jason Frady
Commercial Banker at Synovus
Jason Frady, a University of Georgia Graduate from the Class of 1999, has excelled as a Commercial Banker with a notable 24-year career in the financial industry. Since 2013, he has been a valued member of the Synovus team, consistently achieving excellence and earning multiple Chairmans Club awards for his unparalleled performance.
As a dedicated father to his remarkable 13-year-old daughter, Collins, Jason actively participates as a cheer dad, balancing his professional and personal life with grace. Beyond his banking profession, Jason is also widely recognized as a professional Cornhole player, having showcased his skills on prestigious platforms such as ESPN and CBS Sports.
A native of Gwinnett, born and raised in Lawrenceville, Jason has dedicated his entire professional journey to the North Gwinnett market. In his role as a Commercial Banker, he is responsible for overseeing 13 markets across Gwinnett, Fulton, and Forsyth, specializing in partnering with clients in the $5-20MM revenue space, including sectors such as Manufacturing, Distribution, Service Companies, and Medical.
Jason Frady is known for his unwavering dedication, exceptional performance, and commitment to both his clients and community.
Nikki Golar Mouton, Ph.D.
Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services
Jennifer Hibbard
Counselor & Chief Executive Officer, View Point Health
Jennifer Hibbard lives and works in Gwinnett County as a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Chief Executive Officer at View Point Health, where she has worked for more than 19 years.
During her time at View Point Health, she has had the pleasure of serving in a variety of positions, beginning her career as an intake clinician at one of the mental health outpatient centers. She has had the opportunity to be the Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Programs, Director of Quality Assurance, and Center Director.
As the CEO of View Point Health, Jennifer also serves on the Board of Directors for the Gwinnett Coalition. Jennifer is also a member and serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett County as a Past President in order to further serve the community and advocate for individuals with behavioral health needs and developmental disabilities. Jennifer serves as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 6910.
She is a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and the National Council for Behavioral Health Executive Leadership program. She currently serves as the Management Team Chair for Leadership Gwinnett. Jennifer has experience working with adults, children, and adolescents with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Prior to moving to Georgia, she lived in Texas where she earned her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Southwest Texas State University and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas in Austin.
Jennifer’s career began while volunteering as a counselor for the Williamson County Juvenile Academy in Georgetown, Texas, a residential alternative facility associated with the Texas Youth Correctional system while she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Jennifer is also a National Certified Counselor of the NBCC, and a member of the American Counselors Association. Jennifer lives in Snellville with her husband of 20 years, her son and daughter, as well as 3 cats and 2 dogs.
Victoria Huynh
Founder, Georgia AAPI Hub
Victoria Huynh is a Community Organizer and has more than 18 years of experience working with international, immigrant, and refugee communities in the state of Georgia. Previous roles include Senior Vice President/Chief Officer of External Affairs at the Center for Pan Asian Community Services.
Mrs. Huynh’s experiences in her limited English proficient (LEP) Vietnamese Refugee household fuels her passion for community building, strategic planning, and policy work within the immigrant spaces.
Since 2009, Mrs. Huynh actively advocates for equitable language access, encourages civic engagement, protects immigrant rights, champions cultural competency, and has developed vital social service programs.
From 2013-2018, Mrs. Huynh served on the National Regional Health Equity Council. In 2015, 2017, and 2022, the Georgia Asian Times recognized Huynh as an honoree of the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia.
In 2020, the Southeast U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce named her an outstanding AAPI in the Southeast and was named a sHERO by the Center for Asian Pacific American Women and OCA at a National AAPI Womxn’s Conference.
She recently ended her three-year appointment with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. Mrs. Huynh currently serves as a federal appointee with the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (PACAANHPI).
Asif Jessani
Partner, CCS: Marketing & Technology
Beth Quinlan
Manager, Accounting and Advisory Services Group
Beth joined Smith + Howard in 2015 and is a Manager in our Accounting and Advisory Practice. During her time with the firm, she has worked with clients across a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, professional services, medical services, as well as nonprofit organizations. Beth has worked with clients on back-office accounting services, including bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, federal grant compliance reporting, and much more.
Prior to joining Smith + Howard, Beth was hands-on in the operations of her family’s local chain of pet food stores and national pet food distribution business with warehouses across the United States. It was here that she found her interest in accounting and decided to return to school for her Master of Business Administration degree. Beth also served as a consultant with an emphasis in marketing and management, where she focused on B2B communications for software companies and productivity and performance management for financial institution retail operations.
Beth received her Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University and earned her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University. She is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Bianca Rayner
The Fet Group
A Mom, G-Mom, and Entrepreneur with a passion for making life better for the people whose lives she touches. Bianca was born in Ecuador and came to the US to attend high school in Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Finance and Accounting, with a minor in Marketing.
During her professional career, she held senior leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, influencing the future of business operations and finances.
Her love for delivering stellar financial results to her clients, coupled with her passion for serving others and her love of family, truly allows Bianca the opportunity to make life better for others while making her own dreams come true
Hank Reid
Founder, Lettum Eat, Inc.
Suleima Salgado
Chief Executive Officer, Global Partnership for TeleHealth
Suleima Salgado, MBA is the Chief Executive Officer for the Global Partnership for Telehealth, a non-profit organization providing simple, affordable, and secure telemedicine solutions for all. In addition, she serves as the Principal Investigator and Puerto Rico/US Virgin Islands Telehealth Liaison for the Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center (SETRC) where she works with federal agencies, health systems, health departments, private providers, public schools, colleges/universities, and non-profits to provide technical support and guidance as organizations expand telemedicine programs in underserved areas.
Prior to these roles Suleima served as the Director of Telemedicine & Project ECHO for the Georgia Department of Public Health for 15 years where she led various public health initiatives in both Georgia and Florida and managed a $2.4 million budget. In this role she was responsible for setting strategic goals to increase access and bring health equity to underserved areas of the state through collaboration with Georgia’s 159 county health departments.
Before transitioning into the telehealth field, Suleima served as the Deputy Director of Communications for the department where she oversaw all aspects of internal and external communications for the Department and its programs and divisions. The division managed all marketing and communications plans, media relations, and vendor relations while guiding health communicators in Georgia’s 18 public health districts.
In 2009, Ms. Salgado moved to Georgia to serve as the Director of Communications & Health Promotions/Risk Communicator for the Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments where she was the spokesperson for the district and was involved in several health response events such as the H1N1 pandemic, multiple infectious disease outbreaks, vaccine shortages, mosquito-borne illnesses, and various interagency and multi-jurisdictional incidents and disasters.
Suleima also serves her community as a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Gwinnett, and serves as a board member for the Gwinnett Coalition, Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett County, and Medical Reserve Corp- GEM.
Chuck Warbington
City Manager, City of Lawrenceville
Chuck Warbington is a lifelong resident of Gwinnett County and a member of the Dacula Football Sports Hall of Fame. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree.
While at Georgia Tech, he was a wide receiver for the 1990 National Championship Football Team. Chuck and his wife, Stacey, have been married for over 25 years and have 4 children.
Chuck is a registered professional engineer and worked as a principal manager for a local Architectural/Engineering company (Pond & Company) for over 13 years.
He began the leadership of Gwinnett Village in January 2006 leading the efforts in forming the largest Community Improvement District (CID) in the state in mid-2006. In 2016, he was appointed City Manager for the City of Lawrenceville where he oversees just under a $200 million budget and just over 300 employees.
As a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, Chuck is serving his community in many capacities, including as a board member for the Gwinnett Coalition for Health & Human Services and the Fort Daniel Historical Foundation. He also serves on the Quantum National Bank Board of Directors, as well as the Atlanta Transit Link Authority Board (ATL). Chuck is past chairman of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission, past president of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett and past executive board member of the Gwinnett Chamber.
He was selected by the Georgia Engineering Alliance as Engineer of the Year in Private Practice for the state of Georgia in 2003 and was honored as one of Georgia Trend’s 40 under 40 for 2006. In 2012, Chuck was selected by the national publication CE News as one of fifteen Rising Stars in Civil Engineering.
Matthew Yarbrough
Chief Political Strategist
Gate City Public Affairs, LLC
Matthew Yarbrough has served as a Gwinnett-focused political consultant for the last six years after completing a Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado-Boulder. A metro-Atlanta native with undergraduate degrees from UGA, his focus has largely been on the data analytics, fundraising, and networking skills required for a campaign success. A graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and current classmate in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute (RLI), Yarbrough has developed deep political roots in the county through consulting for over two dozen Gwinnett elections since 2018, and most recently he served as District Director for US Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux in the county. His firm has now represented the majority of Gwinnett’s current county-level constitutional officers, commissioners, and judges in their political campaigns, and he serves as a regular community advisor to other State legislators and local city elected officials in Gwinnett’s sixteen municipalities. His metro professional affiliations include membership of the SW Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and Board Member of its Foundation, Cobb Citizen’s Academy Class of 2023, and Cobb SPLOST Oversight Committee. He and his husband Jordan reside in historic Marietta.
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