Staff

Darrin has led Coastal Community Foundation since 2016. Along with the Board, Darrin sets and implements the strategic vision for the organization.

As Sr. Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Melissa oversees the alignment of the Foundation's strategy across all departments, with direct oversight of the Development & Stewardship and Marketing & Communications departments.

As Director of Executive Operations, CT is responsible for providing day-to-day strategic support and management, coordinating actions, functions, and duties across CCF’s organizational departments and supporting organizations.

As Executive Administrative Assistant to the Office of the President, Cindy is responsible for supporting the President & Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Executive Operations by providing departmental assistance, scheduling, and board support.

As Sr. Director of Development and Stewardship, Helen manages the day-to-day operations of CCF's Development and Stewardship department, which serves donors, professional advisors and strategic partners. Additionally, Helen leads our work with next-generation legacy planning and family philanthropy.

As Director of Development and Major Gifts, Karen's role is to prospect and cultivate new donors, fundholders, and gifts contributing to the achievement of the Foundation's goals and objectives through new foundation grants, growing field of interest funds, existing funds, and soliciting unrestricted gifts to the Foundation.

With a focus on cultivating strong relationships, Victoria ensures the sustained growth and impact of the foundation by fostering a sense of connection and loyalty among donors. Victoria not only develops and implements effective stewardship strategies but also plays a key role in stewarding new gifts, ensuring that donors feel valued and appreciated for their contributions.

Based out of our Beaufort office, Virginia works to advance the growth, development, and reputation of CCF in the Southern Lowcountry counties of Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, and Hampton. She works to cultivate and deepen relationships with current and prospective donors, plus create new donor and field of interest funds in this region. Through stewardship, service, and education she helps donors realize their philanthropic objectives and create a plan for achieving those objectives.

Shawna supports the Development & Stewardship team with reports from the foundation information systems, processes all gifts contributed to CCF, and ensures clean and useful data. She’s also the frontline support for fundholders as it relates to the Donor Portal.

Todd oversees communications strategy across CCF's service areas, for both external and internal audiences. His role includes heading up strategic communications, marketing, advertising, and crisis communications.

Mayci executes strategic communications initiatives which highlight our work and impact across the region. She is responsible for creating video content, managing social media platforms, and writing articles for the website and newsletters. Mayci leads CCF’s media relations efforts and is the contact for all media inquiries.

Emily produces quality content and design work for CCF publications, marketing materials, and other communications. Her responsibilities include managing CCF's editorial calendar and internal website, creating the interactive annual report and providing general website support.

As Vice President of Grantmaking & Community Leadership, Kerri is responsible for overseeing program and grant initiatives as well as community and stakeholder engagement to advance community-centered programs throughout the Foundation’s nine-county region.

Caroline designs and implements the Foundation’s scholarship and college preparatory programs, and manages a grantmaking portfolio that includes the Volvo Cars USA Grants Program and the Bakker Family Fund. She leads the Reverend Pinckney College Readiness and Scholars Programs and oversees the execution of the Allendale College Readiness and Scholars Programs.

Kristi provides administrative and technical support for the Foundation’s online grantmaking and scholarship programs, including the grants and scholarship portals. She is responsible for data entry and processing of grant requests for both donor-advised funds and a portfolio of designated and organization funds. She oversees the day-to-day legal and compliance processes for the Foundation’s grantmaking.

Samuel manages a portfolio of programs that includes Regional Scholarships, Open Grants, Lowcountry Unity Fund, N.E.W Fund, Healthy Harbors, and Saul Alexander Foundation. He also provides technical assistance, capacity building, and outcomes management to nonprofit organizations in the Tri-County.

Based out of our Beaufort office, Amy implements CCF’s grantmaking and community leadership efforts in the Southern Lowcountry counties of Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton. She manages a portfolio of programs that includes the Winthrop Family Fund, Beaufort/Southern Lowcountry Regional Fund, and Catalyst Grants Program.

Nivia is responsible for the leadership and management of programs that include Blackbaud Fund, Economic Mobility Grantmaking Fund, Healthy Harbors Fund, HOME Community Fund, and Webb/Croft Endowment Fund. She provides assistance for special initiatives, oversees volunteer recruitment, and strengthens relationships with nonprofits and communities in the Tri-County area.

As College Success Manager, Tresha leads the Reverend Pinckney Scholars Program. Her role includes building and maintaining relationships with scholarship recipients to assist in their academic success, personal growth, and professional development.

Monisha serves as the manager and coordinator of The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program for Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Her purpose is to provide high school juniors and seniors with the necessary support, resources, and skills to navigate their search, evaluation, and eventual selection of their college of choice. Monisha also manages the Lowcountry Scholarship for Nontraditional Students.

Lexi Burgess serves as the Student Success Manager of The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program, for high school juniors and seniors in the Charleston area. Lexi supports and prepares students as they begin the college application process. Her position includes developing relationships with students, providing Charleston students with academic resources, and assisting with college research and selection. This program serves as a precursor to the Reverend Pinckney Scholars Program.

Angel serves as the Scholarship & Program Manager of Allendale College Readiness & Scholars Program in Allendale County. She provides 11th and 12th graders with the resources and skills necessary to research and select a college of their choice while tracking the program's outcome and maintaining donor relations. Angel also provides support for the Reverend Pinckney Programs.

Tori provides administrative support to the Program Officers in the Tri-County area. She supports Grantmaking & Community Leadership efforts through scheduling meetings, department planning, data entry, and organizing site visits.

As Chief Financial Officer, Jane is responsible for financial management, investments, controls, and long-range financial strategy for CCF and its supporting organizations. Jane also oversees human resources and information technology programs.

As Director of Finance & Controller, Chris has the primary accounting responsibility for Coastal Community Foundation, including for the annual audit, tax, and monthly financial reporting processes.

Tess oversees CCF’s Place-Based Impact Investing (PBII) program and leads the Foundation’s investment goals from a community impact perspective. She also serves as a strategic advisor regarding investments, treasury & liquidity, and oversees funds management activities.

As the Finance Specialist, Shanta performs key finance tasks, monitors the financial aspects of individual funds, and performs select accounting responsibilities.

As the Payroll and accounting specialist, Aaliyah handles payroll processing as well as staff accounting duties such as reconciliation, audit prep, financial reporting, and other financial duties.

David develops policies and practices that enhance CCF’s positive workplace culture, whether that is through managing day-to-day operations or through his human resources management.

Kristie provides daily administrative duties to support the Talent & Operations Team, as well as providing executive-level support to the VP of Talent and Operations, including serving as the key point of contact for the team, maintaining oversight and timeline of all projects and working with VP to post new positions, schedule interviews, help with onboarding and review/track document compliance with all new and existing staff members.

LaQuista acts as the point person for key finance responsibilities for Coastal Community Foundation and affiliate organizations. She manages accounts payable, processes bank deposits, and performs select accounting and compliance responsibilities. She also maintains the Charleston office building and manages other operational items.

Wanda is responsible for managing and enhancing the Foundation’s use of Foundant database software – CommunitySuite (CSuite), Grants Lifecycle Manager (GLM), and Scholarship Lifecycle Manager (SLM), ensuring efficient and secure database operations.

Carol serves as the first point of contact for visitors and stakeholders to the Foundation headquarters. She assists in office operations while providing general administrative support to the VP of Talent & Operations, Procurement & Operations Officer, and the Talent & Operations Assistant.