Alex Wharton
The Wharton Law
Alexander Wharton has been an attorney with The Wharton Law Firm since 2010 where he currently concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including personal injury, workers’ compensation, premises liability and municipal law, in addition to criminal defense. Previously he worked with Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina. Alexander graduated Cum laude from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2007. While enrolled in law school, Alexander was a member and president of the UNC Broun National Trial Team from 2005-2007. Alexander has served in a number of leadership capacities with bar and other civic organizations such as the American Bar Association-Section of Litigation, Memphis Bar Association, Boy Scouts of America and Books from Birth.
bill powell
Bill Powell is currently retired after a career of 39 years working in the local criminal justice system for Shelby County government. After beginning his career as a counselor with Pretrial Services, Bill ultimately served in appointed positions under four County mayors (two Democrats and two Republicans). In 2001 he was appointed to the newly created position of Shelby County Criminal Justice Coordinator. In this position, Bill worked closely with every agency involved in the criminal justice system with the aim of improving system efficiency and fairness.
In addition, Bill also served as the Settlement Agreement between Shelby County government and the Department of Justice in separate actions after findings of unconstitutional conditions in the Shelby County Jail and with Juvenile Court. Bill also worked evenings as an adjunct professor for 15 years, teaching classes in criminal justice and public administration at the University of Memphis and at Rhodes College.
Bill graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and from the University of Memphis with a Master of Public Administration.
Jane Van Deren Pera, Chair
Jane Van Deren Pera is currently retired, but was most recently the Corporate Director at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. In her position there, Van Deren helped rehabilitate the employee benefit system to make sure healthcare employees were guaranteed better pensions than they had previously received. She has a long history as a Finance Director, Project Director, and CPA. Currently, Van Deren is on the Board of Directors for A Step Ahead Foundation, which aims to help women access long acting reversible contraception by training healthcare professionals and the community and providing free birth control for women in Memphis. Van Deren has previously served as the Board President of A Step Ahead. Van Deren received her Bachelor’s in Economics from Rhodes College.
Adrian Lewis II
Xcelente Trucking & Logistics Training Services
Adrian Lewis II, a dedicated family man and advocate for second chances, was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and has overcome extraordinary challenges. After serving nearly five years in 201 Poplar, Shelby County Jail, Adrian emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Today, he thrives as a leader at Xcelente Trucking & Logistics Training Services, a nationally and state-recognized CDL Apprenticeship Reentry Program for formerly incarcerated individuals. In this role, Adrian empowers justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives and pursue meaningful careers. Through his unwavering dedication to his family and community, Adrian embodies the spirit of redemption and hope. His story serves as a powerful reminder that with perseverance, support, and opportunity, anyone can rise above adversity and achieve greatness. Adrian's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His commitment to giving back and inspiring others shines as a beacon of light, illuminating the path for those seeking a second chance.
Tiffany Legington Graham
Mission360 Strategies
Tiffany Graham is a certified fundraising executive (CFRE) with over 25 years of experience across the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. As founder of Mission360 Strategies, she provides strategic fundraising, planning, and leadership development support to nonprofits nationwide. Tiffany previously led development at the National Civil Rights Museum and oversaw $700M in giving strategies at ALSAC/St. Jude. Her leadership spans institutions like Tulane University, the University of Memphis, and major cultural organizations. She began her career in corporate strategy consulting, working with Fortune 500 brands. Tiffany holds degrees from USC and Georgia Tech in engineering and mathematics. She is an alumna of Leadership Tennessee, a member of several civic organizations, and serves on the University of Memphis College of Education’s advisory council.
Bryce Ashby
Donati Law, PLLC
Bryce Ashby is an attorney at Donati Law, PLLC, where he has focused on plaintiff-side employment law and wage/hour issues in Memphis since 2007. He also handles cases involving consumer law, workers’ compensation, personal injury, and immigration. As a fluent Spanish speaker, Bryce has worked extensively with members of the Latino community. Before joining Donati Law, Bryce clerked for the Honorable Judge Bernice B. Donald in 2008.A former Peace Corps Volunteer, Bryce has dedicated much of his career to serving Latino and immigrant communities, including his role as Director of Programs at Latino Memphis and his work as an organizer and advocate. Attorney Bryce Ashby has been recognized by his peers to be honored in the Super Lawyers list from 2019 to 2024, earning distinction as a top rated employment litigation attorney in Memphis. He serves as a Board Member for the Center for Excellence in Decision-Making (CEDM), a collaboration between the University of Memphis Law school and the Memphis Bar Association aimed at educating and training community stakeholders to promote equitable decision-making. He graduated from Rhodes College with a B.S. in Biology, before continuing to the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he earned his J.D. magna cum laude. While in law school, he interned with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Immigrant Justice Project and served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Memphis Law Review.
Katherine Whitfield-Baker
Katherine works as a contract writer supporting corporate and nonprofit organizations, and serves as Director of Music Ministries at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. She previously spent 13 years on staff at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, including six years as Director of Volunteer and Family Support. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Dorothy Day House and is committed to making Memphis a more just city for all who reside here.
A joyful Midtowner, Katherine loves storytelling, meeting new people, spending time in nature and exploring new places on foot. She can also be found playing washboard around town with the Memphis-based jug band, the Side Street Steppers. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) from Rhodes College and a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in faith, health and social justice from Memphis Theological Seminary.
Tina sullivan
Tina Sullivan is a nonprofit and civic leader with more than two decades of experience advancing community and public space initiatives. Through her independent grants and nonprofit consulting practice, she helps organizations throughout the region strengthen their capacity to secure and manage funding and to develop effective boards and teams. Previously, as Executive Director of Overton Park Conservancy, she led a coalition of staff, board members, volunteers, and community members in shaping the park’s future. A graduate of the University of Memphis with a background in communications and public service, Tina serves on the board of the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy and is passionate about fostering community connections that bring people together. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors.
phoebe “Coco” gille
Shelby County Public Defender
Coco Gille is an Assistant Public Defender and Training Director for the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender where she has practiced since 2017. Coco has dedicated her career to zealously advocate for the accused in the Memphis area. Coco received her B.A. in English from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law, where she received the Whitehurst Public Interest Fellowship that brought her to Memphis. While enrolled in law school, Coco received the Dean’s Achievement Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Coco has served as a board member of the Tennessee Association for Criminal Defense Attorneys, was a three-time Team Captain for the Public Defender’s Office at Community Alliance of the Homeless’ event 901 Counts: Project Homeless Connect, and is an enthusiastic provider of collateral consequences assistance—criminal record expungements, driver’s license reinstatement, and more.
demar roberts
First Choice Global Sales & Merchandising
Demar Roberts, Senior Vice President & Chief Growth Officer of First Choice Global Sales & Merchandising, leads the company’s day-to-day operations, including its rapidly growing, global sales and client partner development, alliances and industry channel strategies, corporate development, client/corporate affairs, marketing and business operations.
He is a board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Board of Directors, The Burroughs Foundation, Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business Advisory Board, South Carolina State University Board of Visitors, The Art of Living Inc., Memphis College Prep Academy Board, Memphis NAACP Branch Executive Committee, Downtown Memphis Commission, Serenity Recovery Center and several other organizations to improve the quality-of-life for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Roberts is the recipient of the South Carolina State University Distinguished Young Alumni Award and has been named to Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40, SC State University 40 Under 40 and Urban Elite Professionals 40 Under 40. He is graduate or Leadership Tennessee Signature and Leadership Memphis Executive program.
Roberts holds a B.A. in Political Science from South Carolina State University MBA from Benedict College Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
He is life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
dwan Gilliom
Allworld Project Management
Dwan Gilliom is an Associate Vice President and Program Manager at Allworld Project Management, where he leads the City of Memphis Stormwater Quality and Quantity (MSQ2) Program, overseeing planning, design, construction, and compliance for critical stormwater and flood risk reduction initiatives. With more than 30 years of public service and executive leadership experience, Dwan retired from the City of Memphis as Director of Public Works in 2015. Prior to joining Allworld Project Management in 2022, Dwan served as Chief Administrative Officer for Shelby County Government. Dwan holds a Master’s Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from LeMoyne-Owen College. Dwan is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a 2011 graduate of the Leadership Memphis Executive Program, and a former member of both the City of Memphis Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) and the Police Advisory and Review Committee (PARC).
