Board of Directors
We could not be successful in transforming lives without the help of our volunteers, collaborative partners and our Board of Directors.
Nancy Yarbrough
Founder and Executive Director
Nancy Yarbrough is the Founder and Executive Director of Fresh Start Learning Inc., a trauma-informed nonprofit committed to helping individuals and families heal from the impacts of domestic violence, human trafficking, addiction, and other life traumas. With more than a decade of organizational leadership and over 15 years of lived and professional experience, Nancy develops and facilitates issue-based, trauma-informed curriculum that equips communities, professionals, and survivors with tools for healing, resilience, and restoration.
A licensed alcohol and drug treatment counselor, Nancy is a respected trainer, advocate, and speaker who partners with community organizations, churches, and professionals to address complex social issues through education, prevention, and survivor-centered support.
Nancy is also the author of The Exodus: Where New Beginnings Happen, which earned her the Community Impact Award in 2018 for its powerful message of healing and transformation. She later received the Hope Shining Blue Award in 2023 for raising awareness about exploitation and human trafficking, and the Thriver of the Year Award in 2026, recognizing her continued leadership in helping survivors move from crisis to thriving.
Through her work with Fresh Start Learning Inc., Nancy continues to lead initiatives that inspire hope, strengthen communities, and create pathways for lasting transformation.
Zoreedua Alayande
Board President
Zoreedua Alayande works for Northwestern Mutual as an Assistant Director of Field Performance, where she partners with field network offices to drive business growth through the recruitment, selection, and development of financial representatives. With more than two decades of experience at the company, she has held leadership roles across Client Services Operations and Human Resources, bringing a well-rounded and strategic perspective to her work.
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Zoreedua holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University and is a proud alumnus of Future Milwaukee. She is active in her community and a dedicated Rotarian, currently serving as Public Image Chair for the Mequon-Milwaukee Diversity Rotary Club.
A passionate advocate for service and leadership, Zoreedua is deeply committed to empowering others, with a special focus on helping women realize their full potential. She brings this same spirit of purpose and impact to her role as Board Chair for Fresh Start Learning.
Zoreedua resides in the North Shore area with her husband, their young adult son, and their family dog.
Linda Garcia Barnard
Board Treasurer
Linda Garcia Barnard became an activist leader in the 90s with 9to5, National Association of Working Women. As a single mom eager to make change for women like her, she became an Organizer and led civic empowerment campaigns against exploitation of women impacted by new Welfare-to-Work policies and theTemp Work Industry. Her early career helped lay the foundation of the Paid Leave movement, resulting in many new work supports that help move families out of poverty.
She began her journey in nonprofit management in the early 2000s and has since worked to develop and sustain organizations through high level strategic financial and organizational management, fundraising and planning. In addition to Organizing, Linda held roles as Director of Finance and Administration, Interim State Director and Interim National Co-Director. She supported the administrative launch of Family Values at Work in 2004 where she then moved into the Director of Finance and Administration role with oversight of 501c3 compliance, finance and operations.
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Linda now serves as the Principal for Nonprofit Management Services, LLC based in Wisconsin and provides a range of support to organizations with emphasis on 501 c3 protection.
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In addition to her decades of experience, Linda holds an MBA, is an Advanced BDO Certified NonprofitAccounting Professional and is trained through Ford Foundation’s Financial Resiliency Project, Rockwood’s Art of Leadership Cohort and most recently, the Election Readiness Cohort: Bold & Safe Program for Multi-Entity Organizations. She also attended Marquette Law School’s Part-Time Program from 1999-2002.
Shannon Sims
Board Secretary
Shannon Sims is an Emmy Award-winning journalist with two decades of experience. A veteran of the Milwaukee media landscape, Shannon served as a primetime evening anchor at WTMJ-4 for nearly 13 years.
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In partnership with WUWM 89.7, Milwaukee's NPR Shannon launched Rising Forward: Stories of Change in March 2026. The podcast explores the intersection of profit and purpose, spotlighting Milwaukee entrepreneurs and organizations proving that business success and community impact are not mutually exclusive.
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A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music with classical vocal performance training and concentrated coursework in African-American History and Music at Howard University, Shannon brings a multidisciplinary foundation to her journalism—one that honors the cultural and historical nuances of the communities whose stories she tells.
Toni White
Board Member
Toni has contributed to the success of the Milwaukee Community for a very long time, from residing and being gainfully employed in many spaces, places, and locations. Her love as an experienced workforce development expert and professional for over 25 years has allowed her to touch the lives of many individuals seeking to enhance and advance their lives while guiding them through the overcoming of barriers for advancement has been her legacy. Understanding that there is a direct correlation between the intersection of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and barriers for advancement through her own personal journey, Ms. White committed to education as her vehicle for change. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from University of WI- Milwaukee, and the other in Business Management from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Al. Her commitment to community involvement and engagement is exemplified through her continued desire, passion and connection to organizations that align with her passion to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. Her experience starts with being a shelter client and led all the way to being a board member for the State of WI- End Abuse board. She is dedicated, skilled, and willing to help lead in this work.
Dr. LaTrice Buck
Board Member
Dr. Buck is the founder of INSPIRE Consulting, an agency focused on counseling, educating, and training professionals on domestic violence, trauma, and substance abuse. Dr. Buck was the Director of the Milwaukee Women’s Center for over 7 years providing services in areas related to elder, later life, domestic, and substance abuse, from prevention and treatment to management and program implementation. She possesses a passion for program enhancement and the legitimacy of the profession, which motivates her to educate other disciplines on addiction as it relates to domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health services.
Dr. Buck is nationally recognized as an expert in family violence, trauma, and substance abuse. She has trained Child Welfare, W2, and Criminal Justice professionals on the signs and effects of addiction and domestic violence. Additionally, Ms. Buck has presented at various conferences including those for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), Child Welfare League of America, Black Administrators in Child Welfare, and the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), University of Wisconsin, NCALL, and a host of others.
Dr. Buck is a proud HBCU graduate of Alabama State University, and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
An interesting fact – she plays the drums!
Lillian Oduwole
Board Member
​Lillian Oduwole graduated from Concordia University with a Master of Science in Nursing, concentrating in Family Nurse Practitioner. Lillian has treated chronic health conditions in one of the most underserved populations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the recipient of the Managed Health Services Summit Award in 2016. Lillian was selected out of a pool of 3000 doctors and nurse practitioners in the state of Wisconsin. She was the first nurse practitioner to receive such honor. Lillian is dedicated to the care of her patients and community. She is a Rotarian and has a passion for service.
Nicole Jackson
Board Member
Nicole L. Jackson is a professional woman of many talents. Her passion is nestled in the likes of helping others. She is currently employed Full-time with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). In 2011 Nicole began her private practice in mental health and substance use disorders.
Nicole completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and drug counseling at Alverno College, where she joined PSI CHI, The National Honors Society in Psychology. She went on to complete her Masters degree at Mount Mary College, now known as Mount Mary University. Nicole has a diverse ability to use many counseling modalities.
Endorsing positive community participation, Nicole understands the struggles of today’s society and uses her work to aid in the change for a better and safer community.
Mary Kay Sergio
Senior Advisor
Mary Kay Sergo is the founder of Mindful Kollaborative Strategies, bringing more than 30 years of experience across nonprofit leadership, government systems, and entrepreneurship.
Her work focuses on program and fund development, strategic alignment, and strengthening organizational systems to support long term impact. She partners with individuals and organizations to design and implement effective programs, build collaborative structures, and secure public and private funding. Her work has supported the development of high impact initiatives and helped organizations secure millions of dollars in funding.
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Mary Kay’s career spans frontline roles through executive leadership, giving her a grounded understanding of how complex systems function and where they break down. She is particularly skilled at identifying root causes, navigating cross sector challenges, and aligning strategy with day-to-day practice.
She has worked with organizations nationally and internationally, providing consulting, technical assistance, and facilitation in areas including program design, strategic planning, and fund development. Known for her direct and honest approach, Mary Kay works with teams to address hard truths and strengthen alignment between intention, strategy, and execution.
She holds a BA in Organizational Administration and is committed to supporting organizations in doing meaningful, high impact work with a no-nonsense approach.
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At Mindful Kollaborative Strategies, she also leads movement-based experiences for individuals navigating high levels of responsibility. Through retreats and yoga sessions in The Room, her studio in Wisconsin, she creates space for reflection and intentional movement. This work complements her advisory work and reflects her experience as a Registered Yoga Teacher, as well as her firsthand understanding of what happens when mindful practices are not sustained.
Lydia Beasley
Accountant
Lydia Beasley is the founder and CEO of Brown-Beasley Accounting, LLC (BBA).
BBA has been in operation for over 20 years. BBA excels by offering tailored services that address each client's unique needs. The firm provides comprehensive assessments of financial requirements, guidance for business development, strategies aimed at maximizing profitability, support with projections and budgeting, and expert advice on choosing the right business structure. In addition to these specialized offerings, BBA delivers a broad array of traditional accounting services. BBA specializes in organizing seminars and conducting both private and group training sessions. These sessions cover a variety of business topics, including how to set up a new business, QuickBooks training, and other customized requests
Lydia Beasley has been featured in several publications, such as the Milwaukee Times, Milwaukee Community Journal, and Black Women 50 Plus. She is also in the process of creating a bookkeeping card game.
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Mrs. Beasley’s professional memberships include serving as Chair of the Financial Education Committee for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). She is also a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and participates in the QuickBooks Certified Professional Advisors Program.
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Over the past 15 years, Mrs. Beasley has taken on numerous roles within Trinity Church. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Women’s Group and Chair of the Evangelism Committee. Additionally, she holds the position of Treasurer for a Toastmasters group and the ED-SOS Center, and serves as Director of the BLCL youth group.
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Mrs. Beasley is married and has three children, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Michael Robertson
Senior Advisor Emeritus
​Michael is a retired CEO of Robertson Factories and owner of Orchard Computers and Falmouth Marine. He is currently the President of Love Kindness Inc. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He has served in different board roles for organizations such as Youth Opportunities Unlimited, MA Easter Seals, National Easter Seals, and the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations. Mike has a strong faith base and has served on Wisconsin Congregational Ministers Fellowship Board, Milton Academy Board, and other youth and religious organizations. He is active with the ministry of Community Baptist Church in Milwaukee.
Wallace Phillips
Senior Advisor Emeritus
​Wallace is a retired school teacher who has spent over 14 years serving on non-profit boards as treasurer and financial secretary. He was a Minister at Community Baptist Church in Milwaukee.