Our Team

Blakely has been leading United Way of Horry County since 2019, bringing her passion for community building to everything we do. A Clemson grad who moved to Myrtle Beach from Tennessee in 2006, she’s worked her way through some of the area’s most impactful organizations—from the Myrtle Beach Chamber and Conway Medical Center to Habitat for Humanity. She’s a natural connector who believes in the power of collaboration, serving on boards like Conway Chamber of Commerce and Tidelands Health’s Community Engagement Committee. Blakely was also President of Chicora Rotary and has participated in leadership programs across the region.

When she’s not cheering on her Clemson Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers, you’ll find Blakely spending time with her husband Barry and their two kids, Reed and Callie.

Katie joined our team in 2019 after three years with Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. Originally from Pennsylvania, she is a proud graduate of Coastal Carolina University, where she earned a degree in Public Health and discovered her passion for service through volunteer work in Horry County and Washington, D.C.
Katie is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand (Class 41) and has served on the program’s Board of Regents. She is also a graduate of Leadership Conway and has been actively involved with the Grand Strand Young Professionals. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for the Waccamaw Center for Mental Health. Katie is dedicated to building strong partnerships and creating meaningful, lasting change that strengthens the entire community.
When she’s not working to drive impact, Katie enjoys traveling the world, cheering on her Philadelphia Eagles, and spending time with her husband, daughter Aubrey, and extended family and friends.

Richard brought his passion for education and community leadership to United Way in 2023. A Conway native who graduated from the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, he studied Vocal Performance at Johns Hopkins’ Peabody Conservatory before returning home to serve his community.
As Senior Pastor of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church since 2019, Richard has a vision for building bridges between faith and community action. He’s also a Waccamaw American Leadership Forum graduate and serves on the YMCA Conway Advisory Board.
Richard has traveled the world on mission trips but is happiest at home in Conway with his wife Meghan and their three children: Caleb Richard, Jenna-Grace, and Johnson Parker.

Mandy brings over 20 years of finance and HR experience to our team, joining us in 2022. An Aynor native and Coastal Carolina grad, she earned her MBA from Webster University and has deep roots in our community through her decade of work with Horry County Schools.
With her sharp financial expertise and local knowledge, Mandy keeps our operations running smoothly so we can focus on making an impact. When she’s not managing the numbers, you’ll find her reading a good book, out on the water boating, or spending quality time with her family.

Whitney is a fourth-generation Myrtle Beach native who joined our team in 2024. After earning her degrees in Anthropology and her MBA from The College of Charleston, she served two years in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa—an experience that deepened her commitment to service.
With experience in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Whitney is thrilled to combine her professional skills with her love for her hometown community. She’s a Leadership Grand Strand graduate and active member of the Junior League of the Grand Strand.
When she’s not building partnerships with donors, you’ll find Whitney gardening, cooking, traveling, or spending time with her dogs, friends, and family.

After relocating from the Washington, D.C. area to Conway with her husband Paris of 34 years and their dog Duke, Nelvina joined the team at UWHC in early 2025. She graduated cum laude from Horry Georgetown Technical College with a degree in human services and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
For three years at Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council, Nelvina supported individuals and families through the LIHEAP and CSBG programs, bringing hope and encouragement to those facing tough times. Her genuine belief that better days are possible shines through in everything she does.
Nelvina starts each day grateful for life’s simple blessings and is passionate about helping others discover their own resilience and potential for a brighter future.

Nicole joined the team in April 2025. Originally from South Dakota, she made her way to South Carolina from Oregon four years ago and has quickly fallen in love with our community. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northern State University, Nicole brings a deep understanding of social systems and a genuine commitment to helping others.
She’s found her calling in supporting meaningful change through our donor partnerships and administrative work. Nicole is energized by being part of an organization that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
When she’s not coordinating with donors or managing office operations, Nicole enjoys spending time with her son and her three dogs, who definitely keep life interesting and full of laughter.

Allison Gullidge brings a dynamic blend of creativity and community connection to her new role, having just joined our team in October 2025. With a background in both the arts and nonprofit sectors, she previously served as both Community Engagement Manager then Director of Public Relations for the Long Bay Symphony and currently contributes her expertise as a member of the Non-Profit Council for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Before stepping into the nonprofit world, you may recognize Allison from the stage—she spent 15 years as a professional singer traveling the world, most recently including 9 years as a featured vocalist at the Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Allison now calls the Grand Strand home with her husband, Adam, and their two kiddos, William and Harriet, who keep her on her toes with their after-school activities. When she’s not out in the community spreading the word about all the good work our organization is doing, Allison enjoys baking, reading and spending quality time with her friends and family.