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,  Santee Cooper Customer Advisory Council, Horry County Community Land Trust and Coast RTA. 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 at Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. Originally from Pennsylvania, she’s a Coastal Carolina University grad with a degree in Public Health and a heart for service that started during her college volunteer work in Horry County and Washington D.C.
A proud alumna of Leadership Grand Strand, Katie now serves on their Board of Regents and stays active with the Grand Strand Young Professionals. She’s passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives through community partnerships and strategic impact.
When she’s not working to strengthen our community, Katie loves traveling the world, cheering on her Philadelphia Eagles, and spending time with her husband, daughter Aubrey, and extended 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.

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.

Carrie brings more than 15 years of dedicated experience in the nonprofit and development sectors, specializing in connecting organizational vision with meaningful community impact. For the past five years, she has proudly served at the McLeod Health Foundation, where her work is centered on building authentic, value-based relationships throughout the community.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Carrie carries a strong sense of service and community into every partnership she develops. Outside of her professional role, she has been happily married to her husband, Bryan, for 27 years, and together they are the proud parents of their 23-year-old son, Hayden. In her free time, Carrie enjoys beach life, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

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, was a member of the Non-Profit Council for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and is a proud Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach.
Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Allison now calls the Grand Strand home with her husband, Adam, and their two kiddos, William and Harriet. 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 being a travel soccer Mom.

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.

Kissie joined our team in 2024, bringing her heart for service and deep community connections. A proud Loris native and North Myrtle Beach High grad, she’s a mother of three and “Glamma” who lights up any room with her passion for helping others.
With a human services degree from Horry Georgetown Technical College and three years at Waccamaw EOC, Kissie understands the challenges our neighbors face. Her personal journey through loss has strengthened her commitment to advocacy, particularly around gun violence prevention, and her faith guides everything she does.
As a praise and worship leader at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Kissie believes in the power of hope and transformation. Her mission is simple: help others find their way through life’s challenges and discover their own strength.

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.