Meet the Board

SHARNICE A. JONES, MPH

Founder & Executive Director

SHARNICE JONES, MPH Founder, and Executive Director. Sharnice of Success 1st is also an author, entertainer, and speaker. Sharnice expressed an interest volunteering in the community while in elementary school. Sharnice's inquisitive nature led to the founding of "Success 1st" a 501c3 non-profit organization during her senior year of high school. Through Success 1st, Sharnice developed a means of encouraging her high school peers, friends, and family to join her in making healthy choices to support personal success. Public service remained an import facet of Sharnice life through graduate school and passion for contributing to world in a positive way continues. Sharnice has worked or volunteered in multiple states domestically as well as abroad. These opportunities expanded passion and interest into compassion and understanding.

Sharnice is Program Director of Patients’ Rights Advocacy, Sharnice's directs the organization's advocacy for patients in Alameda, San Mateo and Marin Counties. The department that Sharnice leads in instrumental in responding to questions from patients in psychiatric hospitals and mental-health facilities, monitoring facilities for compliance with regulations, and preparing involuntary patients for hearings and standing by people with mental health conditions.

AMA QUAYE, MPA, PMP

VP of Strategy & Innovation

AMA QUAYE, MPA, PMP, is a Certified Project Manager with LHH and serves as an Adjunct Professor with Wilmington University.

An accomplished Project Manager with extensive experience across a diverse range of industries, including technology, government, healthcare and media. With a Bachelor of Science from Howard University and a Master of Public Administration from Purdue University, Ama brings a robust educational background and a strategic approach to every project.

Throughout Ama’s career, she has demonstrated exceptional skills in project management, webinar production, and client interfacing. She excels in managing complex projects, from initial planning through execution, ensuring seamless operations and client satisfaction.

Adept at working in dynamic environments, Ama is known for her internet agility, scheduling efficiency, and ability to thrive as a team player. She is committed to driving success through meticulous project management and a collaborative approach.

In addition to professional pursuits, Ama has a passion for supporting the youth, volunteering and working in different areas of her community. She spends her time also traveling with her children, husband and family and a small business which specializing in creating memories with personalized party favors/gifts.

MARIETTA WILLIS, Phd

VP of Technology

Dr. MARIETTA WILLIS of Houston TX is a founding member of the board supporting the vision and mission from inception and contributing to the online presence of the organization and to encouraging youth interest in entrepreneurship and developing multiple streams of income.

Dr. Marietta Willis, is an Amazon Best Selling Author of the book "Fundraising Fumbles: The Top Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make In Securing Funding" She also serves as the CEO of several entities. Richmond Capital Solutions, LLC, a nationwide multi-facet financial firm that helps investors, business owners, and consumers establish financial sustainability by assisting in the procurement of capital beyond the confines of conventional lending criteria. Strategic Growth Alliance 366 LLC, one of the leading minority-owned, and women-owned, business consulting and development agencies providing premier support services to established and aspiring entrepreneurs. SGA TV Network an entertainment platform built around the content of independent artists a place of collaboration among artists. Last but not least she is the COO of Strategic Growth Leaders Bible University. SGLU, an online Christian University offers an entrepreneur program designed to equip students with the essential components needed for market sustainability, empowering them to build growth-oriented businesses.

Marietta has also volunteered and served as Co-Chair of the Pink Ribbon Café for the Susan G Komen Houston Race for the Cure for 4 years. The Pink Ribbon Café serves the survivors of breast cancer during the race each year.

Marietta is a recipient of the 2021 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Volunteer Service Award for her commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service. She was also presented with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

CARLOTTA JONES

President

CARLOTTA JONES, President, Success 1st, Inc. Board President, and a founding member of the board of trustees. A life-long learner with a commitment to community service, Carlotta considers it a privilege to support Sharnice's vision for helping young people be safe, smart, and successful.

Carlotta holds a BA in Community and Family Service from Lamar University, Beaumont, TX. Carlotta has over 25 years of experience in front line leadership including, department leadership, and program management. Areas of leadership expertise include collections, sales, and customer service. Recognized as a resulted oriented leader, strong communicator, and skilled motivator, who is focused on solutions that address current and emerging issues. Carlotta has supported the success of numerous organizations through team and department management. Carlotta is a manager supporting performance enhancement focused on Customer Care at Pepco Holdings Inc., an Exelon Company. Areas of responsibility include customer satisfaction, customer service, cross-department collaboration, and first-contact resolution.

CARLA CLEMENTS, Ph.D.x & CRNP

VP of Education

Carla P. Clements, PhD, CRNP is a doctoral-prepared skin scientist, nurse practitioner, health educator, and community advocate and a founding member of the Success 1st Board of Trustees.

Ms. Clements is passionate about providing the best possible care for our nation’s heroes and served tirelessly working in the Emergency Department as a front-line charge nurse throughout the pandemic surge.

In her present role as the Service Chief for the Philadelphia VA Office of Connected Care, she leads an interdisciplinary team of 30 healthcare professionals. The Office of Connected Care focuses on improving healthcare through virtual technology by engaging Veterans and care teams outside of traditional healthcare visits.

Additionally, Ms. Clements enjoys mentoring STEM high school students who participate in the NAACP ACTSO program. She has served on the advisory committee for the New Jersey STEM Pathways initiative and is a member of the Healthy New Jersey 2030 (HNJ2030) Implementation Committee. HNJ 2030 is a statewide initiative that establishes a framework and determines topic areas to address the needs of improving the health of all NJ residents.

MALACHI SHY

Treasurer

MALACHI SHY Corporate Accountant at ServiceNow recieved a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting form Montclair State University in 2021. Recognized for critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills, Malachi is committed to supporting positive change in the community as well as professional and personal success.

Malachi is passionate about exposure to the arts as a means of connecting communities and addressing emotions. "The question of how can we produce/sell/grow more means nothing if how can we perform better work is not first answered."

ALANA SWINTON is a Senior Environmental Specialist at The Chemours Company, applying her experience biophysical chemistry research. Alana transitioned from youth volunteer, to board Secretary, before taking on the role of Vice President of the Success 1st board of Trustees in November of 2022.

Alana began volunteering with Success 1st as a young person. After taking on various roles of leadership including planning and delivering programs to peers while in high school. While attending Rowan University, Alana continued serving as Youth Council Leader supporting youth initiatives. After graduating from College, Alana joined the Success 1st Board of Trustees serving as Committee Outreach Chair.

ALANA SWINTON

Vice President