BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shari Douglas
Executive Director
Shari Douglas, a dedicated non-profit leader with over 10 years of impactful experience in leading programs, developing people, and spearheading community outreach initiatives. Shari earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Memphis and graduated at the top of her class with a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
In her notable tenure at the Mid-South Food Bank, Shari demonstrated exceptional leadership by establishing the Bare Needs Diaper Bank, a groundbreaking basic needs program. This initiative provided essential items such as diapers, period supplies, and adult incontinence products to alleviate the financial burden on low-income families. Her commitment to advocacy led her to engage in Lobby Days in Washington, supporting bills aimed at reducing or eliminating taxes on these crucial products and ensuring their widespread availability.
Shari's collaborative spirit shone through as she worked with basic need banks across Tennessee to one day secure federal funding, to expand the capacity of essential programming. Recognized as a subject matter expert, she represented the cause at the National Foundation for Women Legislators Conference, raising awareness about the critical need for these supplies in various territories.
Her unwavering dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic earned her recognition from the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis for her outstanding response efforts. Shari’s belief that success is a journey marked by achievements, both big and small, underscores her commitment to making a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
As a non-profit leader, Shari continues to embody excellence, compassion, and a passion for creating positive change in the lives of those in need.
Summer Owens
Founder and President
Summer Owens is the Founder and Executive Director of The S.O. What! Foundation and S.O. What! LLC which encourages youth and all people to live no excuses, no judgement lives. Her motto and brand, S.O. What!, is her version of the Serenity Prayer—accepting what you cannot change but changing what you can to live your best life despite life’s obstacles. She is the author of Life After Birth: A Memoir of Survival and Success as a Teenage Mother, a book where she shares the very intimate details of her life to educate and encourage others. Summer graduated magna cum laude with her BBA from the University of Memphis where she was named Miss University of Memphis and an MBA from Belhaven College. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Summer’s career included marketing management positions with the Memphis Grizzlies, ServiceMaster, and FedEx Corporation.
“I have a genuine love for youth and, based on my personal life experiences, I recognize the hurt and trauma that often limits or destroys them. I believe everyone can achieve anything they could possibly dream– regardless of their circumstances. I want to be a resource and help others to offer their gifts in support of helping even the most challenged youth overcome their obstacles and succeed.”
Shaven Jones, Treasurer
Accountant, MLGW
Shaven is a passionate accountant who is well versed with accounting principles and possesses analytical skills that allow her to make informed decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting as well as a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Memphis. In 2023 Shaven began her entrepreneurial journey as a Tax Professional, serving all 50 states. In true Memphis Native fashion she is a diehard Memphis Grizzlies fan. She is the mother of an exuberant toddler who loves playtime with mommy. Outside of being a mom, career woman and entrepreneur Shaven enjoys spending time with her family, painting, reading and solving word puzzles.
"Serving on the board for the S.O What Foundation! means helping to inspire the youth. As a past student of Summer's I saw the passion she had for her organization and from that point I knew I had to be a part of the solution to support the youth in their goals and help them adopt the SO What! mentality"
Denia Moore, Secretary
Human Resources, ProLift Rigging Co.
Denia grew up in St. Louis, Mo with two loving parents who pushed for her to pursue her dreams. From a young age, Denia learned to set high expectations for herself and others which lead to her achieving high accolades as a teenager. This desire for learning, advancing and achieving continued as she attended college at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). Post graduation with a B.S in Public Relations brought her to Memphis in 2019. Within a few months of being in Memphis she developed a love for the city and its unique people.
Starting at ProLift Rigging Co in fall of 2019, the company's mission to serve others was established through her work as a part of the HR team. Denia is passionate about people and ensuring everyone is treated the way they deserve. Denia continues to utilize her experience in executing successful HR strategies, effectively running weekly payroll, analyzing and reporting payroll reports, and staying up to date with the latest trends and best practices in Human Resources. Denia also Enjoys spending time with friends and family or binge-watching new movies on the weekend.
Rico Andrews
Owner, Always Best Care Of Memphis
Rico Andrews is the owner of Always Best Care Home Care, Obach Real Estate, and West Transportation Healthcare Transport. He holds a BBA from the University of Memphis and a MBA. Rico serves on the Board of Directors for the Better Business-Bureau. He is also a member of the following organizations: Leadership Memphis 2016, New Memphis Fellows 2017, Memphis Rotary Club, Professional Network on Aging, Greater Memphis Chamber 2016 and Young Memphis. Rico is the loving husband of wife Shekinah and father to Meah, Rico II and Nickolas.
“I joined the board of the S.O. What! Foundation because I believe in the mission and want to make a difference in a young person’s life. I remember being young and coming in contact with inspirational people. It would motivate me to be the best that I could be in hopes of inspiring someone else. Hopefully, I can inspire a young person to be the best that they can be!”
Charlie Caswell
Shelby County Commissioner
Charlie Caswell, Jr. is a Shelby County Commissioner and community activist with a heart for social justice for all people who have good leadership skills and customer service skills. He is the author of his first book "How to Become More Visible, Vocal, and Valuable to your Community", believing in sowing into the lives of our youth, and making the world a better place by working together with a collective impact approach. Charlie’s desire is to help establish his “7P's Community Collaboration” in every school around the country.
Longtime pastor and community activist Charlie Caswell knows there isn’t a silver bullet for improving the lives of students in poverty in Shelby County, but he firmly believes he’s come as close as possible to finding one. For Caswell, learning about childhood trauma changed his life. Studying adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, gave Caswell the language he needed to process his own childhood wounds. And it empowered him to become an ACEs evangelist, preaching to anyone who will listen — but especially to educators, school district leaders, and even governors — that awareness of childhood trauma can improve the lives of the most vulnerable students. Caswell worked with stakeholders across the state, to craft a bill signed into law that allows judges to require parents to attend ACEs training before they sign off on their divorce.
Today, he is husband, father, community activist, author, entrepreneur, Outreach Pastor at Impact Church, Shelby County Commissioner, and recipient of many awards; 2021 Community Advocate of the Year, 2017 Visionary of the Year from Methodist Community Health Network, 2014 Frayser Humanitarian of the Year.
When Charlie recognized his calling of revitalizing communities, collaborating with partners, and being the voice for the voiceless, 3V Leader was formed. 3V Leader is a movement for leaders to be Visible, Vocal, and Valuable in their community.
These efforts lead to him being invited twice by the Obama Administration to Washington, D.C, to help in efforts to build neighborhood capacity.
Charlie is CEO of Caswell Group Consulting, which is a company with a focus on helping to create trauma-informed and trauma-responsive organizations and communities.
He serves on the Board of Directors of Legacy of Legends CDC, Shelby County Board of Health appointed by Mayor Lee Harris, Ladies in Need Can Survive (LINCS), S.O. What Foundation, and Building Strong Brains TN Advisory Board.
In addition, Charlie is the founder of the first Rotary Club in the Raleigh-Frayser communities called “Rotary Northwest Shelby County”.
Charlie is the father of six children – Autumn, Destiny, Charlie III, Xzavia, Tiara, and Kiara and the husband of Mrs. Teresa Landrum-Caswell.
“I accepted the opportunity to serve on the S.O. What! Foundation Board of Directors because I believe in the mission and vision of the organization.”
Tammy Hart
HR Director, ProLift Rigging Company
Tammy Hart enjoys being able to help others grow personally and professionally. She has over 20 years of leadership experience and is currently serving as the HR Director at the ProLift Rigging Company. This role has given her the opportunity to impact others by coaching and mentoring others to help progress their careers. Tammy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Union University. She is a SHRM CP and an active member of The Society for Human Resource Management. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and working out
“I joined the S.O. What! Foundation because I truly believe in the mission of the organization. I want to help improve the communities in which we live and I genuinely enjoy helping our youth.
Bilicia Hill
Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist, Transnetyx, Inc.
Bilicia Hill is a professional leader in quality and compliance with 18 years’ experience in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry and Sociology from the University of Memphis. Bilicia also serves as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and as an ambassador for the Midsouth Transplant Foundation where she brings awareness about transplantation and organ donation. Bilicia has also been a mentor for the Connect Mentoring Program where she mentored young girls with educational and cultural development in Shelby County School system and is also a volunteer at the Mid-South Food Bank which distributes food to local and regional organizations to help eliminate food insecurities.
“I joined the S.O. What! Foundation because I have witnessed the hardships and triumphs of Summer’s journey from teen mom to CEO of this wonderful organization.I believe that we all can overcome obstacles with guidance and a positive mindset. I am proud to be part of an organization with like-minded people of individual talents to guide future generations with personal developments and success.”
Lindsey Stanfill
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Lindsey Stanfill has over 15 years of non-profit and youth development experience. Lindsey is currently the Development Director for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Lindsey graduated from the University of Memphis with a BFA in Theatre. Her professional career began as the Director of Educational Touring for Voices of the South Theatre Company and then she went on to serve as an Education Program Manager at the Orpheum Theatre. Lindsey served as the Development Manager for the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, prior to that she served as the Director of Community Programs at Girls Inc. of Memphis where she oversaw several programs throughout the Memphis area. Lindsey is a teaching artist for the Lincoln Center for Arts Education in New York City and conducts theater classes and workshops for Memphis area youth.
“I have seen firsthand what good youth development programs do to make an impact in the lives of youth. The S.O. What! Foundation is truly unique in so many ways, and I just had to be a part of that.”
Megan Butts
Founder and Owner of The Growth Compass
Megan Butts is the Founder and Owner of The Growth Compass, a boutique consultancy that equips entrepreneurs with the strategic operational guidance needed to build successful, sustainable businesses.
After graduating with a chemical engineering degree from Ohio State University, Meg launched her career in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, leveraging her drive for progress to deliver results in both entrepreneurial and corporate environments. With a focus on enhancing our nation's manufacturing capabilities, Meg has worked to build world class operations at factories across the U.S. with companies like Nestle, Gerber, and Jim Beam Distillery.
One of her most notable achievements includes working alongside founders and investors to restore a historic distillery from abandoned ruins while laying the foundation for a new manufacturing and hospitality business under the brand name of Castle & Key. It was upon moving to Memphis in 2020 that Meg decided to start her own consultancy to support small businesses achieve success through effective operational planning.
Meg was taught from an early age that, with focus and determination, she could achieve anything she set her mind to. It’s this belief that has enabled her to overcome the challenges of working as a female engineer in the male-dominant world of manufacturing. She aims to put this belief into further practice as a dedicated board member of the The S.O. What! Foundation and as she continues to build her consulting business, The Growth Compass.
“I fell in love with S.O. What! Foundation’s mission because I want every child to feel inspired to achieve greatness. It’s important that they know that success IS possible no matter what their background or situation, and that success can present itself in any number of shapes and forms. I aim to use my diverse set of experiences and skill sets to support this organization in accomplishing their mission and helping Memphis’ youth to thrive.”
Herbert Dickens
Case Manager of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Herbert Dickens is a married father of four and a Masters level social worker. He brings to The S.O. What! Foundation over a decade of experience working in education, half of which was working in leadership capacities. Herbert has built his career around supporting and empowering youth and families to identify the goals in their lives that are important to them and work towards reaching those goals.
Currently, Herbert works for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services as a case manager. This role allows him to continue supporting and empowering youth and families, but in a different capacity.
“I chose to serve on this board because of how closely the work aligns with my chosen career path. I was invited as a guest to the inaugural S.O. What! Awards where I was able to learn about the amazing work the foundation had done. I left the event excited to learn how I could be a support in continuing to move the work forward.”
ADVISORY BOARD
Beverly Robertson
Principal, TRUST Marketing, Former Executive Director, National Civil Rights Museum
Carlee McCullough
Owner, McCullough Law
Clare Stevens
Marketing Specialist Advisor, FedEx Services
Barbara Prescott
Vice President- Allie Prescott & Partners, LLC