Collier Phelps

Director of Development

As Director of Development, Collier leads Whitney/Strong’s fundraising and partnership efforts, cultivating meaningful relationships that sustain and grow the organization’s work to end gun violence through education, collaboration, and safe storage initiatives. With a background in business development, nonprofit management, and community engagement, he brings a relationship-driven approach to connecting people and purpose.

Before stepping into his current role, Collier served as Project Manager at Whitney/Strong, helping to launch and expand the Safe Storage Campaign across multiple Kentucky counties. His earlier experience includes managing the Interactive Screening Program at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an online initiative that connects individuals with mental health support before a crisis occurs.

A Louisville native, Collier enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the city’s neighborhoods and community events, and getting outside on his bicycle whenever he can.

Danea Cloyd

Program Manager

Nea’s community service involvement has fueled her advocacy for gun violence prevention, mental health awareness, and social justice. Nea’s shared passion for the ideals of Whitney/Strong stems from having family members be victimized by gun violence.

After volunteering as a Green Team member for the UKY Violence Intervention and Prevention center during her undergrad, she understands the importance of getting involved and educating the community.

Nea has most recently served as an Outreach Coordinator for Marsy’s Law, supporting crime victims’ voices in Kentucky.

Nea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Kentucky. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville.

Nea currently resides in Lexington with her dog Honey. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading/journaling, and music.

Christa Rounsavall

Director of grant Development & management

Drawn to Whitney/Strong by a personal experience with gun violence, Christa joined Whitney/Strong in 2021 to launch the organization's grant program. She manages a portfolio of grant funds representing approximately half of Whitney/Strong's annual budget. Christa is also deeply involved in Save A Life program operations and the organization's strategic growth. Writing has been the throughline in Christa's career. Beginning as a journalist, Christa then earned her J.D. at Tulane Law School and practiced constitutional and appellate law before following her passion for community activism and social issues into the nonprofit sector. In 2017, Christa won First Place for Minority/Women's Affairs Reporting in Louisville Metro from the Society of Professional Journalists for her article on refugee resettlement in Louisville. Christa co-founded Decode Project, a nonprofit focused on equitable access to effective literacy instruction, and served as Director of Development for West End School. 

Christa lives in Louisville and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, two kids and her dog.

Megan Cole

Program Development & Grants Manager

Megan joins the Whitney/Strong team after being connected with Whitney for many years through education, advocacy, and community work. She has brought suicide prevention expertise to several Whitney/Strong events and press conferences, emphasizing that reducing suicide and reducing gun violence go hand in hand.

Megan's passion for volunteering and community work developed during grad school after losing her aunt to suicide. After years of leading large fundraising events and being Board Chair for the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), she became staff for AFSP's Kentucky Chapter and eventually the national office. While working for the Kentucky Chapter, Megan oversaw dozens of large fundraising events, managed and developed a team of volunteers across the state, and supported the strategic direction and implementation of education, loss and healing, and advocacy programs. When she became staff for the national office, her role focused on program development and management of a special initiative dedicated to reducing suicide rates by 20% through targeting healthcare, firearms, and corrections sectors. Megan continued to work directly with volunteers by developing a national strategy to recruit, onboard, and develop volunteers in strategic markets. 

Before moving to the nonprofit world, Megan received her bachelor's degree in health sciences and master's degree in occupational therapy from Spalding University in Louisville. As an Occupational Therapist, Megan specialized in mental health and acquired brain injury settings. Megan continues to work in the OT community by working with continuing education organizations and state boards to develop suicide prevention programs specific to OT practitioners.

Waller Austin

co-founder
 

Waller Austin is an interdisciplinary artist and adjunct art instructor. After earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Louisville, he held positions as a retail banker and financial consultant before partnering with a friend from high school to establish a real estate rehabilitation company. In 2014 Waller relocated his family to study art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and again in 2015 as he earned a MFA at Washington University in St. Louis, returning to Louisville in 2017 to share his education with art students of Louisville.

Much of Waller’s artwork has revolved around play, leisure, and the elevation of meaninglessness. Once Whitney was shot, Waller promptly adopted an intimately meaningful cause to champion, redirecting his focus to scrutinize the conditions enabling these savage situations and deadly episodes that continue to play out across America. Along with the rest of the Whitney/ Strong team, Waller is dedicated to do whatever it takes in developing and establishing more effective efforts to realize reduced incidences of gun violence.

Alyson Wick

Program Manager

Alyson Wick brings a wealth of experience in mental health advocacy and trauma-informed care to her role as the Cincinnati Save A Life Program Manager for Whitney/Strong. She is the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to empowering survivors of trauma through education, resources, and volunteering opportunities. Alyson spent over four years working at a suicide, crisis, and resource hotline in central Ohio, with a focus on domestic violence response and youth suicide prevention. She has also developed youth mental health curriculums and served as a guest speaker for college social work classes.

Passionate about gun violence prevention, Alyson’s dedication is driven by personal connections and statistics. She also believes deeply in meeting people where they are and fostering collaboration, knowing that genuine connections can create lasting change.

Alyson resides in Anderson with her husband, daughter, and their four beloved cats. In her free time, she enjoys reading books as part of her book club, baking, and sharing meaningful moments with the community that she serves.

Quinones “Q” Corniel

Board Chair

Quinones “Q” Corniel is a long time Louisville resident who grew up in the Park Duvalle neighborhood, located in the historic West End. Q was taught the value of community service by his grandfather, Rev. Charles Elliott Jr. (Pastor of King Solomon Baptist Church), at a very early age. All throughout his childhood, Q accompanied his grandfather to rallies and events for social equity and justice, hospital visits for the sick, and jail ministry visits.

After returning home from attending Tuskegee University, Q began a career in law enforcement with hopes of doing his part to bridge the gap between community and police relations. Q spent five years in law enforcement, becoming the youngest Black detective and youngest sergeant ever in the history of the University of Louisville Police Department (ULPD). While at ULPD, he also served as the head of security for the UofL Football team and served on the athletics diversity board. Q continues to mentor UofL Football athletes year-round.

In June of 2022, Q left law enforcement and joined the Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) to pursue the same fight of ending gun violence in Louisville via a community approach. Q’s role is program manager for OSHN’s Pivot to Peace initiative, which focuses on steering Louisville’s most high-risk individuals away from further involvement in violent crimes. In addition to his professional experience, Q received an undergraduate degree from UofL in organizational leadership and education (2021) and is currently completing his graduate studies in public administration.

Q became a fast supporter of Whitney/Strong after meeting Whitney through his brother and board member, Terrell Williams, in 2019. This team worked closely to develop and launch the Save A Life program, starting first in 2020 with King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church. Q continues with his Whitney/Strong volunteerism today providing firearm safety training through Save A Life regularly.

Q is happily married to his wife, Brittney, who also serves the Louisville community through a variety of healthcare education efforts.

London Roth

Board Secretary
 

London Roth has built an extensive career centered on retail operations, marketing, and human capital management, focused for the last 14 years on improving health outcomes. She currently holds the position of Chief of Staff for Humana’s Medicare East Division where she enables growth and profitability for 25 states and Puerto Rico. 

London has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University.  She has graduated from various local and state community-based leadership development programs such as Ignite Louisville, Leadership Louisville, and Leadership Kentucky.

Through these experiences, alongside her professional endeavors, London’s commitment to the community has grown over time and she has enjoyed serving with several local non-profit organizations. Upon meeting Whitney in 2019, she was instantly attracted to the mission of Whitney/Strong, and has volunteered for associated projects and events over the last two years.

London is married to a fifth generation family business leader, Richard, has two children who keep her busy and bring her much joy, and in her free time enjoys being outdoors and patronizing Louisville’s boutique food and drink establishments.

Brooke Edge

Board member

Brooke Edge has a PhD in Media Studies and Communication from the University of Colorado and is the Owner of Brooke Edge Consulting, a consumer research and brand positioning firm. She also taught media studies and theory at the University of Denver and University of Colorado, Boulder, and was a features reporter for a number of publications, including The Prague Post and Creative Loafing.

Brooke’s academic research focused on healthcare messaging in popular media, qualitative analysis of audience response, and strategic communications to underserved populations. Brooke has conducted media and communications research and strategy efforts for clients in the arts, automotive, beverage, entertainment, financial services and packaged goods industries. Brooke and her husband moved to Louisville in 2015. They and their two children enjoy exploring Louisville's restaurant scene and traveling as much as possible. 

Megan Gardner

Board Member
 

Megan Gardner serves as Director of Marketing for Whitney/Strong. She has over 12 years’ experience as a strategic marketer and communicator in healthcare, consumer goods, tourism and non-profit sectors. She is excited to bring her expertise to develop the overall marketing strategy for Whitney/Strong. As Whitney’s younger sister and with three young children of her own, she is dedicated to ensuring the future is safer for our children. She has been married to her husband, Lonnie for 10 years, and lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sara Hayden

Board Member
 

Sara Hayden is a Strategic Sourcing Manager with Bunge North America, a global leader in agribusiness. With over 12 years in procurement, she collaborates globally to ensure material supply while also driving savings to the business. She sits on the Bunge Diversity Council and leads Bunge's Women of Bunge employee resource group, as part of her drive to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion for all.

Sara is excited to take over as Board Chair for Whitney/Strong in 2021, and help to set and drive the strategy and mission of W/S forward.

Sara holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Louisville. While a native of Louisville, she currently resides in St. Louis, MO with her husband and two daughters. She has been friends with Whitney since attending Louisville Male High School together.

Mark Hoeck

Board Member

Mark Hoeck has an extensive financial background.  He’s a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with experience as both a financial advisor and corporate financial analyst.  In his current role as Account Executive with Dell Financial Services, he helps Dell’s enterprise customers with alternative IT procurement options.  Prior, Mark spent five years at Fifth Third Bank, where he met and worked with Whitney as a Finance business partner for digital lending.  That prior partnership and his own experience in Fifth Third Center on September 6, 2018 are his primary motivators for supporting Whitney/Strong. 

 Mark has a BA in Finance from Miami University and an MBA from Xavier University.  He's a life-long resident of Cincinnati, where he lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children.  He enjoys spending most of his free time coaching and/or taxiing his kids to their many sports games.

Nora FitzGerald Meldrum

Board Member
 

Nora FitzGerald Meldrum serves as Vice President, Legal, for TurnPoint Services, a Louisville-based management company of a rapidly growing number of household and commercial services businesses located throughout the U.S.  Prior to joining TurnPoint, she served as Deputy General Counsel, Litigation and Risk Management for GE Appliances; Associate General Counsel, Brand Protection for Texas Roadhouse; Claims Counsel for American Commercial Lines; and as the Director of Northwestern University’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Office.  Her career also includes experience in private law firm practice with Squire Patton Boggs (Washington, DC), Franczek (Chicago), and Dinsmore (Louisville).  Nora’s clients have spanned an array of public and private sectors, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, beverage, education, transportation, banking, and health care. She has expertise in crisis management, communications, investigations, discrimination and harassment prevention initiatives, team development, leadership development, and strategic planning. 

Nora received her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University. She is a graduate of Leadership Louisville (2018) and Ignite Louisville (2010).  She currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Louisville Collegiate School and as the Secretary of the Board of Whitney/Strong. Her prior non-profit board service work includes the boards of Acting Against Cancer; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Visually Impaired Preschool Services; and the Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s Foundation.  Nora’s passion for gun violence prevention stems from her experience losing her grandparents to gun violence when she was eight.  She believes that meaningful change is possible through Whitney/Strong’s blend of bipartisan solutions, research, education, and community engagement.  

Dana Vetter Berg

Board Member
 

Dana Vetter Berg is a global marketing leader at Google, where she currently oversees Creator Marketing Brand and Programs at YouTube - managing brand strategy, marketing campaigns, diversity + equity programs, and events + experiences. Over her past 14 years at Google, she has held roles leading Google Play Content Marketing Partnerships, building YouTube’s tentpole music moments such as live streaming Coachella and YouTube Symphony Orchestra, and helping large brands make the most of their advertising plans on Google and YouTube.  Prior to YouTube, she worked in television production, partnerships and sponsorships.

Dana graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (B.S in Economics with a focus on Marketing and Management). Dana is an equestrian, member of the Vidcon Industry Advisory Board and Women@Google organization, global co-lead of YouTube’s DA (Disability Alliance) ERG. After spending 15 years in New York and California, Dana is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband (Jeben), and children (Sabine, Windsor and Julius). She enjoys traveling with her family and friends, coaching her daughter’s field hockey team, caring for her new flock of chickens, and gathering people for a purpose.

Barbara Lankford

Board Member

Barbara Lankford serves as an executive career coach whose work is centered on fostering growth, transformation, and purpose-driven career success. A passionate advocate for leadership development, Barbara has developed mentoring programs in both corporate and nonprofit settings to empower emerging leaders to maximize their potential and impact on their community.

Previously, she served as Assistant Vice President at Kindred Healthcare, playing a pivotal role in guiding complex corporate transactions and expanding access to care through the creation of new state-of-the art specialty hospitals across the country.

Barbara holds an MBA from the University of Louisville and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Dayton. Her prior non-profit board services work includes executive committee positions on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Louisville and the Rotary Club of Louisville. Barbara is passionate about empowering others, strengthening communities, and advancing the mission of Whitney/Strong to build a safer, more compassionate world.

Kevin Whitman

Board Member

Kevin Whitman (he/him) is a design and brand leader with more than 25 years of experience at Fifth Third. His career has evolved from branch banking roles to leadership in retail design and experiential marketing strategy.  

Kevin grew up in rural northwest Ohio in a family of responsible gun owners, then earned his degree in psychology and business from Cincinnati Christian University. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Libby and Lilah. Kevin co-chaired the Whitney/Strong Gala “A Night for Life” in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and is on the board of the Parent Teacher Student Organization at Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts. 

A survivor of the September 6 shooting at Fifth Third Center, Kevin brings a personal perspective to the Whitney/Strong board. He is dedicated to contributing to a safer world for future generations and ending gun violence by leveraging his passion, optimism, and ability to inspire enthusiasm in others.