Our Board

Ashlyn Cunningham

President

Dr. Ashlyn Cunningham is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Maryville University.  She has been an academician for 22 years and an occupational therapist for 29 years, working and conducting research primarily in the area of mental health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Washington University, her Master’s from Texas Woman’s University and her Doctorate from Eastern Kentucky University. She is a member of the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Sharmila Sivalingam

Vice President

Sharmila is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Maryville University of St.Louis. Sharmila grew up in India and moved to St. Louis, MO in 1999 and it has been her home since then.  Sharmila did most of her education in India and completed her doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership at Maryville University of St. Louis. Apart from Mathematics, she has a master’s degree in computer applications.  Sharmila is very passionate about teaching mathematics and has been involved in the university community at various capacities to improve the math, general mathematics curriculum. She has organized some of the workshops at Maryville University of adjunct faculty and summer program for high school girls. She volunteers in circle of concern and have volunteered in other organizations. Sharmila enjoys cooking, walking, and reading.

Gifty Blankson

Secretary

Gifty is an Assistant Professor at Maryville University – St. Louis, where she teaches general chemistry and biochemistry classes.  Growing up in Ghana, Gifty completed her undergraduate degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. She obtained her Ph.D. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick before moving to St. Louis. Gifty is passionate about teaching, service, and helping young minds realize their dreams and potential.

Kelley Young

Treasurer/Program Committee

Kelley Young serves as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. She has more than 15 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. Kelley brings a background in Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, and Property Management in her service to Humanitri. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate from the University of Missouri Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs.

Bryanna Brown

WashU Olin Business School/United Way Board Fellow

Bryanna Brown is a bridge-builder between equitable, innovative solutions and those who need it most. Providing access and elevating the brilliance of students is a priority in her life of service. Bryanna is an alumna of Georgia State University and she was accepted as an early admit to the Teach for America 2016 Metro Atlanta corps. During her time in the corps, she worked at KIPP W.A.Y.S. Academy as a 5th grade math teacher to some of the most creative students in Atlanta. After 3 years in the classroom, she joined Teach for America’s National recruitment team as a Recruitment Associate to increase the number of minority students accepted into the 2020 corps graduating from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. To innovate, strategize, and disrupt the current education system, on an operational level, she needed to gain concrete business acumen. Currently, Bryanna is pursuing her Masters of Business Administration at Washington University in St. Louis.

John Jackson

Finance Committee

John is a proud husband, father of 4, and life long St. Louisan.  John earned his B.S. in Biology from Truman State University (Go Bulldogs!) and his MBA from St. Louis University (Go Billikens!).  John has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years, and is currently Vice President of Client Services for a large Insurance carrier.  John believes that we are all called to serve, and looks forward to the opportunity to do so by supporting Humanitri and it’s mission.

Joshua Jones

Josh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with passions for mental health and social justice. His social work career began at Marygrove in service to youth and young adults who are facing poverty and homelessness, and learning to cope with severe traumas. He is currently working as a Staff Therapist at Washington University’s School of Medicine in the Psychiatry Department serving individuals and families before, after, and during the birthing process through the Perinatal Behavioral Health Services. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from DePauw University and his Master’s Social Work from Saint Louis University.

Kenya Leonard

Program Committee

Kenya Leonard is a humanitarian at heart with more than 20 years volunteer experience with youth mentorship, community programming, and organizational involvement and leadership.  Her professional career includes almost 20 years of work as a Paralegal in small, medium and large firms and local and national firm experience.  Kenya is Past President of Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis and the St. Louis Paralegal Association.  Kenya believes in using her gifts and talents to connect people to resources and to make this world a better place.

Courtney Manus

Governance Committee Chair

Courtney Manus is a civil practice attorney.  She has served as an attorney for several non-profits for persons with disabilities, and she regularly mentors high school and undergraduate students seeking a career in the legal profession.  Courtney earned her M.A. degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University.  She is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Missouri St. Louis, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

JOHN SASTRY

John began his career as an estate planning attorney, where he drafted wills and trusts and developed an expertise in probate litigation. He litigated probate claims in nearly every Missouri county and was a member of the Probate Committee of the Missouri Bar.  He used his background as an estate planner to launch a career in financial services. Since then, he has held a number of roles requiring advanced technical knowledge and thought leadership. John is also an Army veteran. He is former United States Army Officer, serving as a Tactical Intelligence Officer (Airborne) under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). His primary role at Central Trust Company is to lead financial planning services across the company’s footprint.

Education & Certifications

·         Juris Doctor, University of Missouri – Columbia Law School – Selected to the Order of Barristers

·         Bachelor of Arts in History, Truman State University – Presidential Scholar

·         Certified Financial Planner™ professional (CFP^®)

·         Distinguished Military Graduate, Army ROTC

Interests & Activities

John is an active member in his community, currently acting as Chairman of the Board of the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame, Advisory Board Member at Missouri State University and Board Member at Center of Hearing and Speech. John and his wife enjoy traveling and have traveled to many interesting locales around the world.

Linda Stewart

Advancement Committee Chair

Linda is a communication professional with more than 20 years experience developing the tools and systems that create understanding, motivation and acceptance with partners, clients, and communities. She’s held positions in both corporate and not-for-profit organizations. Though retired, Stewart works as adjunct faculty teaching English Composition at St. Louis Community College. She earned a B.A. in English from UM-St. Louis and a M.S. in Communication from Lindenwood University. Stewart holds certificates from the Gateway Writing Project and from the Coro Foundation Women in Leadership program.

Alice Vlietstra

Program Committee

Dr. Alice Vlietstra brings a background in human development, family systems and psychology to an appreciation of the importance of community for healthy development.  Previously a faculty member of the University of Missouri -St. Louis, she is founder of Positive Family Dynamics PC, her counseling practice, where she has been practicing for over 35 years.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University and her Masters and Doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from the University of Kansas.  In her work with families, she has become very familiar with the adverse impact of early trauma and the benefits of community efforts to prevent it.

Rev. Bobby Walston

Pastor Walston was born and raised in Ft. Worth, TX.  He earned a degree in Christian Education from Concordia University Texas in 2003.  He served churches in Homer, AK and Ft. Worth, TX for 8 years working with children, youth, and families.  He attended Concordia Seminary St. Louis in 2011 and earned an M. Div. in 2015.  He currently serves as Pastor of Mission and Multi-site at Reliant Church, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church’s midtown site in St. Louis, MO.