Board of Directors

Kerrie is an experienced school counselor and educational consultant specializing in curriculum development, college planning, and culturally responsive programming. She served as an Indian Education school counselor for 12 years and now works as an independent consultant, through Four Directions Educational Consulting Services, supporting school counselors in embedding culturally responsive practices that uplift Native American youth.

She is also the founder of CollegeBound Journey, an online platform designed to support Native American students on their path to college through culturally grounded tools, resources, and guidance. This includes her signature curriculum, Nation Builders, a four-year, identity-centered program that helps students connect culture, purpose, and future planning.

Kerrie completed the Institute for Native-serving Educators Indian Country School Counselors Institute Professional Development Program at Northern Arizona University, further strengthening her expertise in serving Native students through culturally responsive counseling practices.

She brings a strong background in program design, strategic partnerships, and community collaboration, with a focus on supporting underserved and urban communities. Kerrie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Concordia College and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Vera Reynolds is a dedicated nonprofit board member and lifelong advocate for education, equity, and community empowerment. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to service, shaped by both her personal experiences and an accomplished career in education.

Born in Patrick County, Virginia, and raised in an agricultural setting, Vera was instilled early with the values of hard work, integrity, and the transformative power of education. She attended segregated schools until her senior year, when she and her siblings helped integrate the local high school, graduating in 1966. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education, graduating summa cum laude from Virginia Union University, and later completed a Master of Arts in Middle Grades Education from Appalachian State University, along with administrative certification from Gardner-Webb University.

Vera devoted more than three decades to education, serving as a middle school educator, instructional leader, and advocate for student success. Her roles included leadership positions in teacher organizations, work as a Parents in Action Coordinator supporting literacy development, and service as an alternative school principal. After retiring from her 33-year career, she continued her mission by working with Head Start, helping prepare young children for academic success.

In her post-retirement years, Vera has distinguished herself as a dynamic nonprofit leader and board member. She has served as Board Chair of the Museum of Regional History in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and has been actively involved with organizations such as Altrusa International, Rotary International, and the NAACP, where she has also held leadership roles. Her contributions extend to co-founding the National Association of University Women, reflecting her enduring commitment to advancing opportunities for women and underrepresented communities.

As a board member, Vera brings strategic insight, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for mission-driven work. She is particularly dedicated to initiatives that address educational equity, combat discrimination, and empower families and youth. Her efforts have included organizing Interact Clubs in local high schools and supporting programs that strengthen community engagement and student achievement.

Vera Reynolds is widely respected for her integrity, empathy, and resilience. She continues to inspire others through her leadership and service, demonstrating that committed individuals can create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.

"I am a Two Spirit transgender woman of Mohawk descent. I am a member of the Kunsi Keya Tamakoce Sundance community. I have taught for more than 30 years at minority- and Tribal-serving colleges and universities. I work nationally with K-12 educators, providing graduate courses and professional development opportunities. I work with university faculty building STEM education and research programs. In all my work, I focus on grounding our efforts in culturally sustaining and revitalizing practices that nurture and grow diverse communities of learners. For me, sustaining ourselves, our communities, and our cultures means creating educational spaces that invite learners to embrace and share their unique identities as they critically address meaningful and relevant issues.

I hold a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of New Mexico and have completed research fellowships at Harvard Medical School and the University of New Mexico Medical School. I am an AISES Sequoyah Fellow and a recipient of the Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery for Outstanding Research. I am the Founding Director of Changing Communities Consulting."

Gina C.Westmoreland-Franklin has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and an MSW in Clinical Social Work from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina and Ohio and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist in North Carolina. She is an active member of Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC. She is also the mother of two wonderful adults, Gerald and Johnae-Elizabeth.

Betty M. E. “Liz” Ross holds a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Management. She is Inupiaq and Jewish; the daughter of Anna Grace Nashoalook Ellis and Arthur V. Ellis; granddaughter of Joe O. and Ola Nashoalook of Unalakleet, Alaska. Joe O. Nashoalook was the last traditional chief in Unalakleet.

Liz spent several years working for an Alaska Native Corporation, retired as the Deputy Director of Tribal Government & Client Services for Tanana Chiefs Conference, and has taught for the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) since 2004. She spent 20 years teaching Business, Study Skills, Financial Literacy, and Martial Arts for the UAF Rural Alaska Honors Institute. She uses her skills to give back to the Native American/Alaskan Native community.

Liz continues to be a mentor to Alaska Native students as well as teaching Cultural Diversity/Cross-Cultural Communication to the Law Enforcement Academy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.