Blakely Roof
President & CEO
843.347.1186
Blakely joined United Way of Horry County in July of 2019. Blakely moved to Myrtle Beach in 2006 from Knoxville, TN, and received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Clemson University. She began her career in the Grand Strand at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as Membership & Community Programs Manager and Chamber Liaison for gsSCENE for Young Professionals. Blakely then worked as the Assistant Director for Foundation and Marketing at Conway Medical Center. Before joining United Way, she was the Director of Administration at Habitat for Humanity of Horry County.
Blakely is a graduate of the Waccamaw American Leadership Forum Class VI, Leadership Grand Strand Class XXIX, Leadership Conway Class 2013, Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of Organizational Management. She serves as the Chair of the CPO Council of the United Way Association of South Carolina (UWASC) and is a Board Member of UWASC. She currently serves on Conway Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, the Santee Cooper Customer Advisory Council, is a member of the Community Engagement Committee for Tidelands Health and is currently participating in Furman University’s Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiatve. Blakely was an active member of Chicora Rotary for 13 years, where she served as President from 2017-2018, is a seven-time Paul Harris Fellow, and was a GSE Member to Parana, Brazil.
Blakely is an avid college football fan cheering on her Clemson Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers and enjoys spending time with her husband Barry and two children, Reed and Callie.
Katie Wise
Director of Community Impact
843.347.1183
Katie embarked on her journey with United Way of Horry County in November 2019, transitioning from a fulfilling role at Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, where she dedicated three impactful years. Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Coastal Carolina University, which she proudly attained in May 2016, Katie’s passion for serving others has been a guiding force throughout her career. As a student, Katie immersed herself in volunteer work across Horry County and Washington D.C., an experience that solidified her commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. Her dedication to community betterment led her to serve on the Grand Strand Young Professionals Steering Committee, shaping the future of her local community. A distinguished alumna of Class XLI of Leadership Grand Strand, Katie continues to contribute to the program’s legacy as a Leadership Grand Strand Board of Regents member. Additionally, she has honed her leadership skills through her graduation from Conway Leadership, further cementing her position as a dynamic advocate for positive change.
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Katie finds solace and joy in spending quality time with her husband, cherished family, and friends. She looks forward to welcoming her first child in August. A devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, she finds camaraderie and excitement in cheering on her beloved team. Beyond the realm of sports, Katie’s adventurous spirit finds expression in her love for travel, exploring diverse cultures and landscapes around the globe.
Richard Williams, Jr.
Early Education Program Manager
843.347.1179
Richard joined United Way of Horry County in June 2023. He is a native of Conway, South Carolina, where he was educated in the Horry County public school system. Pastor Williams is a 2004 graduate of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Richard studied Vocal Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.
Richard served as Youth Pastor at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD, and Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Conway, SC. Richard has been on mission trips to Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Bindura, Zimbabwe, to share the gospel.
Richard has served as the Senior Pastor of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church since 2019 with a vision to point them in the direction of becoming a “R.E.A.L Church,” one that is Relevant, Effective, Alive, and Linked to the Community. Richard lives in Conway, SC, with his lovely wife Meghan and their 3 children, Caleb Richard, Jenna-Grace, and Johnson Parker.
Mandy Hardwick
Finance Manager
843.347.1180
Mandy joined United Way of Horry County in January 2022. She is from Aynor and has over 20+ years of finance and HR experience. Mandy was recently in the insurance business but previously worked with Horry County Schools in payroll and benefits for ten years.
She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Coastal Carolina University in 1999 and her MBA from Webster University in 2013.
Mandy enjoys spending time with her family, boating, and reading.
Whitney Isley, MBA
Director of Philanthropy
843.347.1190
Whitney joined United Way of Horry County in February of 2024. She is a fourth-generation native of Myrtle Beach. Whitney received her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Master of Business Administration from The College of Charleston. After completing her degrees, she served two years in the United States Peace Corps and was stationed in Ghana, West Africa. She has experience in both non-profit and for-profit organizations and is happy to be able to serve her community as part of her career.
Whitney is a graduate of Class XLIII of Leadership Grand Strand and is an active member of the Junior League of the Grand Strand. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, friends, and family, gardening, cooking, and traveling.
Kissie Melvin
Community Resource Coordinator
843.742.1515
Kissie joined United Way of Horry County in March of 2024.
She is a native of Horry County, born in the big city of Loris, SC, and a North Myrtle Beach High School graduate. Kissie is a mother of three children and proudly calls herself a “Glamma”! She is a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where her Pastor is Ronald K. Henry Sr., and is an avid Praise and Worship leader. She most recently worked for Waccamaw EOC, Inc. as a Community Service Specialist at the CSBG office in Myrtle Beach for 3 years.Kissie’s passion is serving individuals and her community. She is a graduate of the human services program at Horry Georgetown Technical College.
She believes that helping others is a ministry that encourages and inspires others through the many challenges of life and transforms lives for the future.
Kissie says, “In my life, I have faced many adversities, but through the strength of God I have persevered to Victory! Through the tragedies of losing my father and my fourteen-year-old son, due to senseless gun violence, God birthed a new ministry within me. My new mission is the advocacy of Gun Violence! I am a firm believer that there is always a purpose for your pain. So, it has become my due diligence to tell my story in hopes that I can save other children and families from suffering the way that I and my family have. The most important thing is demonstrating the goodness of God and showing others that God bought me through, and he is the same God that will do the same thing for you! I am definitely a living testimony for God! If I can help someone along the way, I know my life will never be in vain! For the bible says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15.”
Shane Merrill
Crisis Intervention Community Resource Coordinator
843.516.7525
Shane joined United Way of Horry County in September 2024.
Debra Barnhill
Office Administrative Specialist
843.347.1194
Debra joined United Way of Horry County in July 2023.
Heather Downing
Marketing & Events Manager
843.347.1191
Heather joined United Way of Horry County in September 2021.
Heather grew up in Conway, South Carolina, graduated from Conway High School, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion from Coastal Carolina University. After graduation, she worked at Grand Strand Medical Center.
In 2016, Heather relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Alex, for several years before returning to the Grand Strand area. Upon their return, she worked as the Community Relations Coordinator for Grand Strand Medical Center. Heather is a Leadership Grand Strand XLIII graduate.
Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Luke and Ava, traveling, and watching sports in her free time.
