Childcare Resources Announces New Board Members for 2026!
- ajenkins
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Childcare Resources, a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization and partner agency of United Way of Central Alabama, has announced its Executive Officers and Board Members for 2026. The leadership team, which includes twelve newly appointed members, will continue advancing the organization’s mission by strengthening philanthropic efforts through innovative partnerships, donor engagement, advocacy, and strategic planning.
2025 Chairwoman of the Board, Kelly Metz (Left) with 2026 Chairwoman of the Board, Lauren Leach (Right)
“Every child deserves access to safe, affordable, high-quality early care and education, yet too many families in our community continue to face barriers that put those opportunities out of reach,” says Joan Wright, Executive Director of Childcare Resources. “Our Board leadership recognizes Childcare Resources as a vital part of the solution and remains deeply committed to championing efforts that strengthen families, expand access to care, and ensure all children have the strong foundation they need to thrive.”
The Executive Officers and Board Members for 2026 include:
Chair: Lauren Leach — Chief of Staff/VP of Strategy, Samford University
Vice Chair: Stuart D. Roberts — Shareholder Financial Services, Maynard Nexsen
Secretary: Dr. William Harper Hooper IV — Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Montevallo
Treasurer: Denise Hill — Assistant CAO, Pinnacle Bank
Past Chair: Kelly Metz — Sr. Director, Accounting Operations, Pinnacle Bank
New Members include Jeff Ball (VP, Head of Tech Delivery, Protective Life Insurance Company), Dr. Felicia Fortune (CEO, KidsExpress Urgent Care, LLC.), Melody P. Harrington (Program Specialist, Birmingham City Schools), Tenika Huffman (VP, Compliance Specialist, PNC Bank), Dr. Douglas Jackson (Director, CEO, Kikstart, Inc.), Akina Luckett Canty (Education Specialist, Alabama State Department of Education), Sherri R. Moultrie MA, LPC, CRC (Retired, UAB), Carol Robinson (Risk Analyst, Regions Bank), Tiffany Sepulveda Kahlon, (Founder/Legal Recruiter, The Kahlon Network), Mary Steadman (Public Relations, Land Title Company of Alabama), Kenya Walton (Customer Service Manager, Alabama Power Company), and Sarah Wilson (Vice President, External & Internal Affairs, Women’s Foundation of Alabama).
Returning Members include Laura Boyles (Community Volunteer), Dr. Chardra Carter (Owner/ Strategy Consultant, Hannah Chris Consulting, LLC), Nedonna Cooper (Executive Director, Tender Loving Educare, Inc.) Molly Echols (Director of Internal Audit & Compliance Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama), Sydney L Evans (Assistant Vice-President, Treasury Management Advisor, PNC Bank), Albert Finch (Commercial Banking Professional, J P Morgan Chase), Scott D. Kellner (Owner, Spoiled Rotten Photography), Brandy McKenzie (Accounts Payable Specialist, Vineyard Brands), Henry C. Mims (Customer Service Training Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama), Dr. Kristin Powell (Psychologist/Consultant, Blankenship & Seay Consulting), Mary Smith (Retired, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama), Cathy Turner MSHA, CPA, CGMA (Executive Administrator, UAB/UAHSF Department of Pediatrics), Linda Ware (Early Childhood Consultant), Shuntee Wright LPC-S, CCM (Licensed Professional Counselor/Case Manager, Lucet Behavioral Health).
Board Committees will be led by Dr. Chardra Carter and Henry C. Mims (Resource Development/Marketing/PR Committee), Sydney L. Evans (Board Development Chair), and Denise Hill (Operations Chair)