BOARD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT & BOARD CHAIR
SUSAN BRO
CO-FOUNDER
Susan Bro is the mother of Heather Heyer, and a Co-Founder of the Heather Heyer Foundation (HHF). Susan launched the foundation in memory of her daughter, Heather, a young paralegal with a strong sense of justice for all individuals. Heather was killedwhile standing up for social justice with her friends on August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Susan graduated from the Southeastern College of The Assemblies of God with a degree in Elementary Education and a specialty in Early Childhood. She later attended the University of Virginia graduate school to receive her Virginia Teaching Certificate. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for 18 years. She also worked as Administrative Assistant for Greene County Cooperative Extension for 6 years until Heather's death.
Susan now works as the President of the Foundation and Board Chair. Based on her daughter's adopted motto, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention," Susan brings Heather's legacy alive by sharing a positive call to action. She calls on others to speak up and step out for social justice and civil rights through education and positive action.
She is happily married and has a large extended family.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALFRED A. WILSON
CO-FOUNDER
Alfred A. Wilson is Executive Director and Co-Founder for the Heather Heyer Foundation. Alfred helped launch the foundation to honor his employee, co-worker, and friend, Heather, murdered August 12, 2017, while standing up for social justice. Alfred is a graduate of James Madison University with degrees in Political Science and Personnel Administration. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
His passion to help others drives Alfred to encourage people to fight for social justice and positive change. He truly believes education is key to improving society and works to help individuals achieve their goals. Alfred volunteers mentoring at-risk youth in the Charlottesville Area. He also serves as high school football referee, .
Alfred is happily married to one of the world’s most beautiful, creative and inspiring women and is the proud father of two gorgeous daughters. One is also a graduate of James Madison University and NFL Cheerleader ,while the other is currently at James Madison University studying Nursing. Alfred also has a handsome and amazingly smart son attending Virginia Tech currently studying Industrial Engineering.
He and his family reside in the Charlottesville, Virginia area.
BOARD MEMBERS
CHAD A. MORGANLANDER
Chad Morganlander serves as Senior Portfolio Manager and co-founder of Washington Crossing Advisors. He has been responsible for the portfolio management across each of the group’s investment advisory programs since the group’s inception. Chad has held several investment advisory and analyst positions for Stifel and predecessor firms, including Ryan, Beck & Company and Gruntal & Company. He began his career in 1992 at Lehman Brothers.
Chad brings nearly 25 years of financial market, investment advisory, and portfolio management experience to the WCA platform. The WCA multi-disciplinary investment platform has assets over $1.5 billion under advisement.
Chad regularly comments on the global economy and financial markets on various media outlets, including CNBC, Dow Jones, BNN, Bloomberg, CBS radio, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
Chad graduated from Ramapo College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance and International Business.
SHINICA THOMAS
Shinica Thomas is an Elected Official, serving as a Wake County Commissioner in the Capital City of Raleigh, North Carolina. Shinica is a Lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. While establishing partnerships with school boards, superintendents. and principals, Shinica works at showing elected officials Girl Scout programs that help build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
Shinica has a passion for community engagement, development and advocacy. She has worked for over 20 years to help women get elected to public office at the local, state and federal levels and secure appointments to Boards and Commissions. She is a Partnership Strategist who mentors, coaches and speaks to individuals and groups about how to expand their impact and turn their goals into tangible realities.
Shinica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Fayetteville State University and Master’s Degree in Government from Regent University. She has lived all over the world as a military child and then an Air Force wife, but enjoys calling North Carolina home. She is married to Raymond, her high school sweetheart, and they have two sons Rahsaan & Khalid.
KELLI PALMER, Ph.D.
Kelli Palmer is a strategist and practitioner in the fields of learning and inclusion. She is currently the head of Organizational Development & Corporate Citizenship at CFA Institute and their former founding head of Global Inclusion & Diversity. She has also had the privilege of leading the development of a robust, multi-year corporate social responsibility strategy, establishing the organization’s sustainability strategy, and ensuring that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are included in the organization’s day-to-day operations. Her background working across business, nonprofit, and education landscapes have made her a multidimensional leader and strategist, who brings together deep expertise with pragmatic, business-minded approaches to proliferating belonging through learning.
Kelli was raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and attended Elon University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. A devoted alumna, she is a member of the Black Life Advisory Committee and the President’s Council. She received her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from Wake Forest University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virginia. A lifelong learner, she studied at Oxford University and has earned graduate certificates from Boston College and Harvard University.
Kelli is a proud, long-term resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, where she resides with her husband and their children. She is an active contributor on numerous local and state nonprofit Boards, including the Heather Heyer Foundation, Community Climate Collaborative (C3), Peabody School, Piedmont Virginia Community College Foundation, and the University of Virginia Physicians Group. She has previously served as a member of the Boards of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Live Arts, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, among many others. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is a classically trained vocalist and former member of the Washington Opera Company.
Learn More | KelliPalmer.com