board of directors

Experienced IT Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in workforce development, project management, and certification instruction led training. My passion is helping people find their passion in technology and give them the resources, professionalism, and skills needed to have a successful IT career.    

Retired Director of Head Start, Early Childhood Education and Coordinator State and Federal Programs Akron Public Schools in Ohio.  Ms. Betty Blackwell is a retired Director of Head Start, Early Childhood Education and Coordinator State and Federal Programs Akron Public Schools in Ohio.  Ms. Blackwell truly believes that given and equal playing field and sufficient support that children can be successful learners. Therefore, she has worked with programs that have provided children with educational opportunities and support. Sterling Math and Science Foundation is important to the STEM educational process, because its goal is to expose under-represented sub-groups to STEM educational opportunities.  Ms. Blackwell has served on the board since 2012

Member of the Carolina Women’s Club where she held position as Clubs Chair where I oversaw nine chairman and helped to organize and set up events, notifying club chairs of new members, coordinating with club chairs with any updates. Ms. Egbuna is also a Real Estate Referral Agent with Real Living Carolinas. 

She formerly served on the planning committee of UNCF Charlotte Mayor’s Masked Ball 2017-2019.I was first introduced to the Sterling Math & Science Foundation through the Carolina Women's Club in 2016 when I volunteered for the golf fundraiser. After volunteering, I knew I wanted to be a part of a foundation that was so passionate about giving back to the community with an emphasis on catering to our youth. My ministry and passion are Philanthropy.  I love to volunteer for Safe Alliance, Second Harvest Food Bank and Classroom Central to name a few.

 Ms. Monds joined the board of the Sterling Math and Science Foundation in June of 2020 in the role of Treasurer. She has always understood that exposure to different opportunities and resources can make a world of difference in the development of bright minds. It is this shared philosophy that led Lewanna to join the SMS organization. Over the years she has volunteered for several organizations, including Sterling Elementary PTA as Treasurer and Young Black Leadership Alliance as parent volunteer.  In addition to her role as treasurer, Lewanna also serves on the fundraising and finance committees of the SMS.

Lewanna has a bachelor’s degree in business administration / project management. Some of her hobbies include visiting waterfalls and being a foodie!

Ms. Mitchell joined the Sterling Math and Science Board is the fall of 2018 where she learned more about the Foundation’s mission and experienced the passion of the Board to chip away at the inequities of STEM education for underrepresented students. Professionally, she is a supplier diversity and inclusion advocate who understands the inequities minority and women businesses face.  

My values are entrenched in transparency, integrity, and community service.  Sterling Math and Science Foundation’s core mission is to service youth by exposing and encouraging learning in STEM.  Many of my clients rely on science, technology, math, and engineering to run and grow their respective industries.  Being a part of Sterling Math and Science Foundation allows me to create a platform where we grow young minds and contribute to the competitive nature of STEM.

 Retired from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in 2013 as a Family School Advocate. Worked with all school personnel to promote an understanding of the value of parent/school partnerships and assisted them with building effective partnerships with families. 

Collaborated with teachers, churches, local businesses, and volunteers to develop programs and provide opportunities to support students and families' success. Establishing these relationships has been lasting and extremely gratifying. To this day, I remain in close contact with many students and families reflecting on and celebrating their many accomplishments.  

 Denise has been involved with the organization from the being, stating, “This camp is indeed special not only because it offers the opportunity for low income and at risk youth to succeed, but it also involves corporate and community partnership’s which are essential to the success of today educational challenges”

Denise manages Community and Government Relations in NC for Vulcan Materials Company, the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates—primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. She works with developing a community relations program that addresses earth science education and environmental stewardship. 

 Mrs. Gunnel Greenhagen believes that to love, nurture and encourage our children is our number one priority in this world.  As a mother of four children and a grandmother of nine, Ms. Greenhagen works hard to create this kind of environment to help the heart, mind, and soul of our next generations. She believes our schools can do the same with the aid of caring teachers and challenging programs to expand and help develop a child’s “curiosity to learn”.
 

As an educator of living and learning, Ms. Greenhagen is a true believer of both STEM and STEAM programs. I feel they can live harmoniously and should be interconnected for the healthy development of the child. Whether you are building bridges or baking bread the elements of STEM and STEAM in a child’s education are critical. Sterling Math and Science Foundation has addressed this issue in the programs it creates and encourages all children in the schools we serve.

Stephanie Henderson holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and has served in several compacity over her 25-year work history prior to retiring. 

She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha since 1990 and have served in several leadership roles. Most recently a Chartering Member of a graduate chapter severing Union and Anson Counties of NC where she currently serves as Technology Chair and Sergeant at Arms.  She is also, resides on the board of  Crisis Assistance Ministry and is a member of Carolina Women’s Club for past 10 years, where she has held several leadership roles.  

Elizabeth Cooper is currently on the Board of Directors of the Sterling Math and Science Foundation. She previously held the position of Secretary for several years. Elizabeth joined the foundation at its inception in 2007.

Originally from Charlotte, she has a passion for the city and the community. She is proud of the work that SMSF has done for the children at Sterling Elementary and looks forward to growing the foundation and helping even more children from area schools.

Elizabeth is married and works as a real estate agent for The Maxwell House Group and is co- owner of Stylehouse Charlotte. 

Cecilia Robinson has a diverse and extensive background in Clinical Social Work and healthcare program management. A substantial portion of Cecilia’s professional commitment is to provide health and mental health counseling to patients in healthcare education programs.

Beyond her professional roles, Cecilia is dedicated to giving back to her community. She has volunteered with the Mecklenburg County Guardian Ad Litem Program and the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. She also volunteers actively with the Carolina Women’s Club, the Golden Living Nursing Home, PARC at Sharon Amity memory unit, and the Pink Bow Campaign. 

Currently serves as a Board of Trustee of the Fletcher School in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

A University of Chicago-trained lawyer who was a partner at Jone Day (NYC office). Since moving to Chalotte in 2015, Valerie has been active in the tax-exempt world and has been a member of the Carolins Women’s Club Executive Board, Chamber Music 4 all, Providence Plantation Homeowners Association, and is the president of the Lady Lynxters of Ballantyne Country Club. 

Valerie has also served as Attorney-Advisor in Mecklenburg County Teen Court. She’s been active with Tutor Charlotte and greatly enjoyed reading with a kindergarten student weekly. Her passion is to empower children by teaching them the small building blocks they need in order to master reading and other skills.