Eight New Board Members Join Team STSI! Sworn-In by Supreme Court Judge Janet Malone

Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) is proud to announce eight new outstanding board members, including Athena Dent, Deana Nelson, Georgia Reid-Douglas, Ghia Clark, Gwen Parris, Ini Obot, Lauren Morris, and Tinuke Colpa. All were sworn in by the esteemed Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone.

Cheryl Brannan, STSI Founder, stated, “This is a pivotal time in STSI’s history and our world. Now more than ever we need no-nonsense leaders that are committed to stay the course and help us achieve our collective impact goals. We feel blessed to have this group of new board members, joining our team at this critical juncture, along with the ascension of Zelda Strong-Diaz our newly elected Board co-chair. It truly does take teamwork to make our dreams work!”

This year, STSI celebrates 26 years of serving as an agent of change in various communities, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for Black women and girls locally and globally.

STSI remains steadfast in its mission to link Black women, girls, and families to resources that connect, advance, and strengthen them. It does this through advocacy, education, and the promotion of African culture. STSI is also a non-governmental organization that holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.

Always innovative, STSI’s organizational structure promotes collaboration using a collective impact approach that includes seven workgroups: 1) Membership & Collaboration, 2) Marketing Public Relations & Technology, 3) STEM, STEAM & Health Careers, 4) Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Maternal & Healthy Lifestyles, 5) Juvenile & Social Justice, 6) Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity & Economic Prosperity, and 7) Global Affairs & UN Connections.

Germaine Scott, STSI’s board chair, said, “We welcome our talented new board members. They were selected as a result of their diverse skill-sets, commitment and proven track records of success. I know they will complement our existing team of dedicated board members and support our strategic direction.”

Zelda Strong-Diaz was recently elected STSI’s board co-chair. She is a Retention Program Analyst at Gartner Inc. with an extensive background in human resources and event planning. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from Pace University. In her new position she will have oversight for Organizational Effectiveness, Membership, Public Relations & Marketing and Human Resources.

A brief summary of the new board members and their roles are as follows:

Athena Dent, CHC – is currently operating in an assistant management position for a family-own business and a universal writer (38 years) and author/editor/ghostwriter (12 years). She has also volunteered for organizations like the YMCA of Yonkers, Habitat for Humanity, and the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee. She will be fulfilling the role of STSI’s STEAM Programs Committee Co-chair and Chair of the Economic Prosperity Subcommittee.

Deana Nelson - is currently the Associate Director of Meetings and Social Events at a top tier hotel in Westchester, having received a promotion merely three months after joining the team for her strong leadership and her ability to guide, train, support, and manage projects. She will be granting her services to STSI’s Fundraising, Scholarship, Grants Writing, and Charitable Contributions Committee.

Georgia Reid-Douglas, MPA – is currently a NYC School Business Manager, working with and assisting two schools with budgeting and other administrative tasks that keep operations running smoothly. She will be STSI’s Treasurer and Budget and Finance Committee, Chair. She will also provide support with grant writing.

Ghia Clark – is currently a Senior Staff Accountant for a leading investment firm., handling accounting transactions, maintaining reports for financial reporting, and the like. She will granting her services to as Co-chair of the STSI’s Fundraising, Scholarship, Grants Writing, and Charitable Contributions Committee.

Gwen Parris, Esq. – is currently a Senior Attorney for New York State Insurance Fund. She has also served various non-profit organizations and has been a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Rockland Orange County since 2008 where she is the current Chapter Vice President. She has also been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She will serve as STSI’s Co-chair of Organizational Effectiveness.

Ini Obot, MEDL – is currently the Director of Continuous Improvement for the New York City Department of Education, working directly with principals in NYC School Districts. She will serve as STSI’s Secretary and STEAM Programs Committee, Co-chair.

Lauren Morris – is currently the owner of Loola Doola Boutique and Loola Doola Too, designer of Lauren M. Clutches and Handbags established in 2008. She will be serving as STSI’s Human Resources and Management Committee, Chair and member of the Entrepreneurship Subcommittee. Ms. Morris will also lend her social media expertise to the Marketing & Public Relations and Technology Committee.

Tinuke Colpa, MS – is currently a School Counselor and the Co-Facilitator of Counseling Department for at an area high school. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including The National Association for College Admission Counselors (NACAC), New York State Association of College Admission Counselors (NYSACAC), and Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counseling Association (WPRCA). She will be serving as STSI’s Co-chair for the Black Women Girl Child Workgroup STEAM, STEM, and Health.

For more information or to join STSI, log onto s2si.org or call 914-207-0368. Check out our social media connections on Facebook: @sistertosisterinternational, Twitter: @stsionthemove, and Instagram: @stsiinternational.