Board of Directors
Danyelle Ackall, Ph.D
Chair
Danyelle Ackall, PH.D
Dr. Danyelle Ackall is an instructor for the Neeley School of Business at TCU where she brings over 20 years of HR and business experience into the classroom. In addition to her corporate experience, she holds a Bachelor's of Science from Texas A&M University (Whoop!), a Master's of Science from UT Arlington, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from TCU.
In 2001, she achieved the SPHR designation and later the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation. In 2015, she tested and passed the SHRM-SCP during the inaugural testing period. Danyelle has been a member of Fort Worth HR since 1999, serving as Chapter President in 2012. In 2011, Danyelle was recognized by HR Southwest as the HR Educator of the Year for her work as a S/PHR certification instructor. In her spare time, Danyelle operates an HR Services firm, Illustrations in Employment. The firm is focused on employee relations, management training, and compliance.
Kenny Mosley, Jr.
Vice Chair
KENNY MOSLEY, JR.
Kenny Mosley currently serves as the Executive Director at Renaissance Heights Foundation. He serves as a bridge, connecting community leaders with resources and partner organizations that share a vison to holistic, at-scale investments in defined neighborhoods to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes for the people who live there. He has over 10 years of nonprofit leadership both in Fort Worth and in Indianapolis. He believes firmly in collaboration, problem solving, and learning from each other on an ongoing basis. Kenny is committed to preserving and enhancing City of Fort Worth community character, identity and working together to improve equity, inclusion, and environmental justice for all.
Kenny was recently appointed by Judge Glen Whitley to the Board of Directors of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for Tarrant County. He serves on the Public Relations Committee and Board of Directors to Community Partners of Tarrant County. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Uplift Education and advising numerous steering committees in community revitalization.
He holds a Bachelor's of Science in Health and Physical Education/Fitness and pursuing a Masters of Business Administration. Kenny is an avid cyclist, certified bike builder and personal trainer. He founded the Empower Bike Club, which is a community bike club that practices sense of belonging and promotes neighboring. Kenny takes the lead to get more kids and adults on bikes in the city. He enjoys rehabbing bikes, volunteering, competing in endurance events and watching his daughter grow in gymnastics.
Lauren Brady
Secretary
Lauren Brady
Lauren Brady is a resident of Mansfield, TX where she raises three children with her husband, Matt: Paige, 17; Levi, 16; Blake,5. Lauren's career has spanned Operational and Human Resources leadership, holding roles within Target, Pier 1 Imports, GameStop, and Klein Tools, Inc. She earned her Executive Masters of Business Administration at Texas Christian University in 2021.
Lauren is passionate about using her business leadership skills to enhance her community and believes strongly in the power of growing future female leaders for the city of Fort Worth. She views The Ladder Alliance’s work as being critical to ending the cycle of poverty and domestic violence in our community by empowering individuals to confidently lead self-sufficient lives.
ELLEN EDEN
Treasurer
ELLEN EDEN
Ellen is an assurance manager with over 7 years of financial statement and auditing services experience in a professional services firm. She graduated from Troy University in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Accounting and is now a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.
Ellen is involved with the Fort Worth Chapter of the TSCPA and a member of White's Chapel Methodist Church. Ellen enjoys volunteering in the community with local not-for-profits and strives to bring something fresh to the accounting profession and make a positive difference in the business world. Ellen currently resides in Bedford, Texas with her husband, Colin, and mini-Golden doodle, Mali Boo.
Terricka Brooks
Terricka Brooks
Terricka Brooks is a multi-talented woman. She is a certified HR professional, published author, social change maker, and philanthropist. She has a Master’s degree in Human Resources, is a certified Project Management practitioner, Financial Planner, and is active in her community and the local church. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and serves on multiple boards for a non-profits including those with missions to increase financial literacy, empower women and children, and support survivors of domestic violence. She is also a member of an entrepreneurship organization.
Terricka lives with her family in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Julie Bullion
Julie Bullion
Garrett Adams
Garrett Adams
Garrett graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s in Economics and started his career in the financial services industry with Edward Jones based out of St Louis. He sat on the client relations desk along with serving as the advisor to several branch offices based across the United States. Wanting to come back to Texas, Garrett took a position as the financial advisor in an office in Arlington, Texas. There he continued to work with both individuals and businesses on a more personal level to achieve their financial goals.
Today he continues his work as a Registered Investment Advisor while serving in a fiduciary capacity for his clients. Garrett lives in Fort Worth, where he is not only active in the community but also active in furthering his education. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree from Texas A&M University School of Law.
Samantha Wood (Smith)
Samantha Wood
Samantha received her BS Geology from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, and her MS Geology from Texas Christian University. Currently she is the GIS Manager at Double Eagle, with whom she’s been with for the past 9 years. Samantha joined The Ladder Alliance Board of Directors in 2019 where she plays an active role on the Finance Committee.
Nikole Dickman
Nikole Dickman
Optimizing and leveraging a company’s investment in people, processes and technology is critical to sustaining growth and achieving success. Nikole helps clients transform their enterprises by identifying high-value opportunities, formulating effective strategies, and enhancing business processes and systems, while serving as a partner to clients to address critical operational, financial, and technology challenges.
Today, Nikole works with clients in several industries, and is a key contributor at multiple points in a project life cycle, delivering the expertise, insight, and knowledge required to ensure clients successfully achieve their evolving business objectives. She understands first-hand how finance, IT, and operations must collaborate to operate optimally in order for business to thrive and leverages her experience to bring these functions together for the benefit of her clients. As an entrepreneur, she is uniquely positioned to see beyond day-to-day operations and individual departmental functions in order to help stakeholders take their company to the next level.
Logan Speights
Logan Speights
Logan is a highly accomplished Senior Executive, Entrepreneur, Board Member, Consultant and Mentor with over 20 years of success. Leveraging extensive experience in tech, marketing, operations, and advertising, he transforms organizations through their leadership team.
At his core, Logan is a builder. He has helped to found multiple businesses, as well as a ministry. The building doesn’t stop there though. For fun he builds everything from cabinets to furniture and chicken coops to horse paddocks. He would say, “Building anything is building something!” As for the future, Logan believes that human assisted technology, like what he is implementing at Proxxy, is the only answer. It will be a centerpiece of anything he builds going forward.
Xergio Ly Chacin
Xergio Ly Chacin
Meet Rev. Xergio Ly Chacin, a recovering Baptist. He is a native of Caracas, Venezuela, who migrated to the United States with his wife, a Houston native, after they married in Venezuela. Since 2001, they have been calling Fort Worth home, where they raised their two children and many dogs. Xergio began his educational journey at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, where he studied social sciences.
Xergio is a Fully Accredited Representative by the Department of Justice, allowing him to practice immigration law before both the USCIS and the Immigration Courts System. Xergio is a soughtafter speaker on topics related to immigration law, procedures, and related issues. He served as a pastor for nearly two decades in both Venezuela and Texas. He also taught at Seminaries and Biblical Institutes and pursued Ph.D.-level studies in Christian Social Ethics. He enjoys reading (mostly non-fiction), podcasts, music, digital coloring, and, most of all, being at home.
Bianca Kemp
Bianca Kemp
Bianca Kemp serves as the Director of Operations with Uplift Education in Fort Worth, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from TCU and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. Over her career, she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, school administrator, financial advisor, and served thousands of students in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In her current role as a Director of Operations, she continues to delve into her passion of providing the necessary support to see others thrive. During her current tenure, she has received multiple awards for her service, leadership in educational operations, and school safety. Bianca is a wife, proud mom of 2 children, and an entrepreneur. In her free time, she enjoys serving others in the community, volunteering, and cooking.
One of her top priorities is ensuring that members of our community are provided with the tools necessary to lead fulfilling lives and help our community achieve success both now and in the future. She believes in strong partnerships between organizations and the community that can make a major difference in the lives of others. Bianca is beyond thrilled to join the Ladder Alliance Board of Directors!
Myeshia Smith
Myeshia Smith
Dr. Myeshia Smith is a proud Texas native. She holds a PhD in Guidance and Psychological Studies with a specialization in School Psychology. Additionally, she acquired a M.Ed. in School Psychology and MA in Clinical Counseling. Her BA is in Criminal Justice accompanied by minors in English and Psychology. She possesses diverse work experience in the fields of education, juvenile justice, and community mental health.
Dr. Smith believes education is one’s greatest sources of empowerment and most effective tool for change. As a result, she chooses to serve the world through service to her community. Dr. Smith’s greatest achievement is her meaningful relationship with her nieces, Leah and London.
Marisa Galaviz
Marisa Galaviz
Marisa serves as Coordinator for Tarrant County College, Northwest Campus Community Education & Engagement (CEE) Office. She has over 26 years of experience working in a community college environment holding different roles. Her current role as CEE Coordinator has awarded her numerous opportunities to serve students and the community.
Marisa earned a Master of Arts in Professional Development and holds a Learning Resources Network (LERN) continuing education certification as a Certified Program Planner (CPP). Her background includes workforce course and program curriculum development, managing programs, and grant management. In addition to workforce projects, Marisa collaborates with community-based organizations to reach the underserved population and veterans as well as implementing youth camps. She has served on several internal and external advisory committees supporting workforce education programs and students.