Our Team

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 Furman University’s The Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative Class XVIII, 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, and is a member of the Community Engagement Committee for Tidelands Health. Blakely was an active member of Chicora Rotary for 13 years, where she served as President from 2017-2018, is a eight-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 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, daughter Aubrey, cherished family, and friends. 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 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 graduated from Waccamaw American Leadership Forum Class VII, serves on the YMCA Conway Advisory Board, and is a Conway Chamber Ambassador.

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 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 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 joined United Way of Horry County in March of 2024.

Shane Merrill has been with United Way of Horry County as the Crisis Intervention Community Resource Coordinator since September of 2024.  In this newly created position Shane is responsible for assisting low or no-income individuals and households that are most vulnerable including the homeless and those on the verge of homelessness.

Shane is also the founder of The Faith Connection in Horry County a collaborative made up of faith based organizations that leads initiatives aimed at bridging community services with the needs of the local population. He also serves as a board member and sub-committee chairman for the Pee Dee ReEntry Council, where he focuses on creating opportunities and providing support for reentry efforts in the community. Additionally, Shane is a volunteer chaplain at the J Reuben Long Detention Facility, providing spiritual support and guidance.
Shane is an ordained minister and certified community chaplain, reflecting his deep commitment to spiritual leadership and community service. His work and dedication have been recognized with the “Pastor of the Month” award by 106.9 The Light, a radio station associated with Billy Graham.
Most recently Shane was the first recipient of the “Chief’s Award for Excellence” from the Chief Dale Long of City of Conway Police Department.

Nelvina joined United Way of Horry County this January 2025. Relocating from the bustling city of Washington, D.C. metro area, Nelvina found a new chapter of life in the charming town of Conway, South Carolina. With her beloved husband, Paris, of 34 years, and their faithful dog, Duke, by her side, she embraced the transition with open arms and a warm heart.

Nelvina’s passion for helping those in need motivated her to pursue and successfully complete an associate’s degree in human services at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. She graduated cum laude, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as well as the Sigma Chi Psi Sorority. Her dedication to positively impacting the community led her to a rewarding position at the Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council (WEOC). For three years, she proudly served as a Community Services Specialist, providing invaluable support to individuals facing challenges and offering them hope and encouragement from the LIHEAP & CSBG programs.

Nelvina’s unwavering belief in the potential for better days and her genuine compassion for others has been the cornerstone of her work. She strives to uplift those who cannot help themselves, inspiring them to stay motivated and believe in the possibility of a brighter future. Throughout her journey, Nelvina stands as a shining beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring those she encounters and herself daily of a famous quote, “wake up and remind myself to be grateful for the simple things”.