Leadership
Our Staff & Board
We couldn’t do what we do without the leadership of our staff and board.
Kimberly Ward
Executive Director
Kimberly Ward became Executive Director of Compass of Carolina in July 2020. She is a seasoned development and strategic specialist. Her experience includes work with social and community organizations across the United States.
Her path to Compass was neither immediate nor direct — with stops at Girl Scouts in Arizona, California and Oregon, the Women Business Center Director for the SBA and Blessings in a Backpack in Florida. Every position prepared her to lead Compass with a passion for the mission, tireless commitment to the work and bold vision for the future. She is strong advocate for families and children, and she has volunteered with the Mentor Upstate, Miracle Hill Ministries, Tim Tebow Night to Shine event and Habitat for Humanity. A graduate from Arizona State University and St Johns River State College, Kimberly is currently working on her Nonprofit Management Certificate.
Judy Festa-Hanna
Clinical Director; Senior Therapist
Judy Festa Hanna (LPC, SAP) started working at Compass of Carolina in October 2014. She is a Domestic Violence Victims’ Counselor and Domestic Violence Victims’ Group Facilitator. She specializes in individual therapy addressing depression/anxiety, grief/loss, stress management, anger management, and relationship issues. She has extensive training and experience in addiction assessment and relapse prevention. Judy also facilitates victims’ groups for the Family Violence Intervention Program. In addition, she is a Substance Abuse Professional qualified to do Substance Abuse assessments for the Department of Transportation.
Judy earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from Duquesne University and a M.A. in Counseling from Webster University.
Andrea Bennett, MBA
Finance Director
Mackenzie Bagwell, BA
Representative Payee Counselor
Jennifer Dickert
Client Relations Coordinator, Family Violence Intervention Program
Bobbie Godwin, MA
Batterers’ treatment group facilitator
Christi Laws
Representative Payee Counselor
Hadley Mullen, MSW
Hadley Mullen is Counseling Administrator and has been working at Compass of Carolina since 1990. Hadley earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina.
Harold Mayes, MA
Harold Mayes has worked as a facilitator for Compass of Carolina’s Family Violence Intervention Program since 2006. He served in the US Army and retired at the rank of Colonel, with over thirty years of active and reserve service. He is currently serving as a Director of the Job Readiness Training Center (JRTC) with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.
Harold received a BS degree in Psychology from South Carolina State University. He received Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University.
Willie Morton, BSW
Representative Payee Counselor
Leesa Plumblee Nelson,
M. Ed.
Leesa Plumblee Nelson (M.Ed.) has been employed at Compass of Carolina since May 2011. She specializes in working with children and adolescents who are dealing with domestic violence/abuse, family turmoil, and mood disorders. She facilitates a number of groups at Compass. Healthy Teens, Healthy Women is a group for middle and high school age females who have experienced difficult and adverse situations which have impeded their growth toward healthy living. She is also one of the facilitators of our co-parenting seminar Children Cope With Divorce/TransParenting. In addition, Leesa co-facilitates in Compass’ Second Chance Program.
Leesa earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from Clemson University and a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University.
Tamara Mangle, BS
Second Chance Facilitator
Brenda Pagán
Administrative Assistant
Amy Lowe, LPC,
Amy Lowe (M.A., LPC) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who joined Compass of Carolina in March 2020.
Amy earned a B.A. degree in English from Anderson College (now Anderson University), and a M.A. in Counseling from Webster University.
Sherwood Williams, MPA
Second Chance Facilitator
Christy Witt, AS
Representative Payee Manager
Our Board of Directors
James Starks / Chair
Bradshaw, Gordon & Clinkscales
Brandon Huell / Vice Chair
CH Robinson, Greenville Office
Cheryl Hicks/ Treasurer
Pinnacle Financial Partners
John Riddle / Secretary
Godshall Professional Staffing and Recruiting
Jessica Christophillis /Past Chair
CHRISTOPHILLIS & GALLIVAN, P.A.
Juan Gonzalez
SPANISH WRITERS FOUNDER,
INNOVATION BUILDERS – OWNER
Justin Hawkins / Past Chair
Wells fargo bank
Matt Irwin
Bon Secours wellness arena
Christopher Nicholas
Ethan Rivers
Debbie Milteer
The greenville news
Heather Volz
IBERIABANK