Board of Directors

Alex Wharton, Chair

THE WHARTON LAW FIRM

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.

Natalie McKinney

WHOLE CHILD STRATEGIES, INC

Natalie is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Whole Child Strategies, Inc. She has served as the Director of Policy for both Shelby County Schools and legacy Memphis City Schools, which included policy development and legislative planning. Prior to moving to Memphis, Natalie founded and directed the Juvenile Law Clinic at North Carolina Central University School of Law, providing a holistic approach to representing youth accused of delinquent behavior and expelled from school. She was recently appointed to the Shelby County Juvenile Justice Consortium Board and has served on the advisory board of the Southern Juvenile Defender Center and the board of the Child Advocacy Commission of Durham. Natalie holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law; a Master of Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton; and a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College. 

Vance Gamble

Varsity Spirit

Vance works in Revenue Strategy and Pricing Analytics at Varsity Spirit. In this capacity, Vance supports the Sales and Operations organizations, focusing on Camp, Competition, and Apparel pricing.
Before joining Varsity Spirit, Vance laid a solid academic foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Economics from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, followed by an MBA from the University of Memphis. Furthering his expertise, Vance obtained a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
Vance's involvement extends into the Memphis community, serving as a board member for OutMemphis and volunteering with the Christian Brothers University School of Business Alumni Advisor Council. A lover of the outdoors, Vance enjoys exploring Memphis's parks and event venues, embracing the city's vibrant and rich culture.

Jane Van Deren Pera

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.

Desi Franklin

First Horizon

Desi has practiced law in Memphis since 1984. She has worked as Assistant General Counsel of First Horizon Bank since 2013, managing the bank’s litigation and providing legal support to the bank’s commercial and consumer lending business as well as the bank’s special assets group. Prior to joining First Horizon, she was in private practice as a corporate and transactional attorney for 26 years, working at Waring Cox and Burch, Porter & Johnson as an associate attorney and later for 18 years as a shareholder with Baker Donelson. From 2010-2013, Desi served Memphis Mayor A C Wharton as the executive director of the Workforce Investment Network, Memphis’ local workforce development agency. She earned her BA and JD from University of Memphis. Throughout her career, Desi has committed her time and energy as a board member to numerous community organizations, including the Girl Scouts Heart of the South Council, Choices, Community Lift, Midtown Memphis.org, Calvary Episcopal Church, the Samaritan Counseling Centers, the Greater Memphis Chamber and Memphis in May.

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.