Sharon Zachary, CEO

Ms. Zachary meets organizations where they are and helps them ignite and enact a broader, bolder mission-aligned vision of their role in community transformation. With more than 21 years as a CEO, Ms. Zachary’s leadership style combines her business and community acumen with her experience in and passion for health and human services and continues to create confidence in the many stakeholders needed to cultivate thriving collaborations. Since 2009, she helped the ACAM Network expand nonprofit organizational development by leading six initiatives with more than 650 projects in areas such as food security, organizational development, homelessness prevention, and health access, while developing more than $16.2M in resources to support them. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is experienced in strategic planning, program development and evaluation, nonprofit management, and developing public-private partnerships. She views nonprofit organizational development as key to growth and sustainability and as an essential component of grantmaking to ensure investments create lasting impact. She has served a diverse group of organizations, including both government and nonprofit and both direct service and intermediary.

Adriana Wilson, Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative (GHOYC) Managing Director

Adriana Wilson is the Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative (GHOYC) Managing Director. She leads a team of passionate individuals focused on driving the work of GHOYC and works as an advocate to foster positive outcomes for young adults disconnected from education and career pathways throughout the Gulf Coast region. Adriana is dedicated to the advancement of individuals from all backgrounds and has spent over 15 years contributing to the success of youth, young adults, adults, and families as they pursued higher education. She began in education as a tutor and was so inspired by the students she worked with she went on to become a college professor. Driven by a motivation to improve access to education opportunities, Adriana transitioned to working for education non-profits where she served in various roles collaborating across teams and with partners to expand and innovate programming and ensure program quality, collaboration, growth, and impact. Born and raised in California, Adriana moved to Houston in 2009 to attend the University of Houston and is now proud to call Houston her home. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Houston. Adriana is passionate about fostering access, equity, growth, and prosperity for all and is honored to be part ACAM, an organization that does that in so many ways.

Billy Reddick, Workforce Network Optimization Director

 

“All things are difficult before they are easy.”  – Thomas Fuller

In January 2024, Billy Reddick assumed the role of Workforce Network Optimization Director at ACAM, bringing with him a rich background of 15 years in Workforce Development. His extensive experience spans across three different states—Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. With a proven track record, Billy has successfully led teams ranging from a robust 60+ staff members to more intimate groups of three.

Billy holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bacone College. Beyond his professional achievements, Billy is a devoted father to his son, Braylon, whom he actively supports in football and basketball pursuits. As an assistant basketball coach for Braylon’s AAU team, the Houston Rebels Elite 2027, Billy extends his passion for sports beyond the sidelines.

When not immersed in impacting lives or coaching, Billy indulges his curiosity by delving into research to expand his knowledge in leadership and finances. His commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and fostering the development of his team remains a driving force in both his personal and professional endeavors.

Sarah Malcolm, Resiliency Programs Director

 

Sarah Malcolm is ACAM’s Resiliency Programs Director. With over a decade of experience in data analysis and publicly funded grant program evaluation, Sarah oversees the data collection, reporting, and evaluation for ACAM’s Resiliency Programs. She coordinates regular technical assistance/continuous quality improvement activities with ACAM’s partners and vendors for programmatic and compliance purposes. Sarah completed her master’s degree in general experimental psychology at California State University Northridge, focusing her research on a figured world approach to identity and agency for college student athletes. She previously specialized in data evaluation and federal grant management at a mental health and substance abuse hospital.

 

Bren Gorman, Resource & Program Development Director

Bren is the Resource and Program Development Director at ACAM. She is responsible for setting strategic direction and providing oversight and management of ACAM’s fundraising operations. Bren brings many years of non-profit experience and a passion for empowering individuals and families to ACAM. With a background in grassroots advocacy, social services, healthcare, and juvenile justice, Bren has spent her career championing human rights, addressing poverty, homelessness, and abuse. Bren received a Master’s in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, which she attended on full scholarship. As a nonprofit development professional for nearly two decades, she is experienced in nonprofit program design and evaluation, marketing and communications, volunteer and donor stewardship, and grants management. Bren strives to bring resources to the boots on the ground doing the hard work – namely, ACAM’s Network of Community Assistance Ministries.  

Consulting Team

Under the leadership of ACAM’s CEO, board and staff, ACAM has assembled a highly skilled and specialized group of consultants to advise and support ACAM and its partners, positioning ACAM to operate with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Tina Council, I Am Pleased Development Center

Tina Z. Council is the Owner and Chief Consultant of the I Am Pleased Development Center, a Texas-based consultancy dedicated to developing individuals and organizations to their full potential. With more than 30 years in the finance, banking, real estate, fundraising and nonprofit sectors, Ms. Council has provided ACAM project support, project evaluation and organizational development assessments since 2009.

Valerie Ellis, Ellis Consulting

Valerie Ellis brings more than 15 years of fund development experience to ACAM. Ms. Ellis was the Associate Director of ACAM before she became a consultant. As an independent consultant, Ms. Ellis provides customized services for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, helping them with development planning, public and private grant proposals and reports, organization and program budgets, corporate and foundation relationships, annual campaigns, individual donor strategies and program evaluation.

 

Wendy Ballard, WOW ME Consulting

Wendy Ballard is Owner of WOW ME Consulting, a strategic communications firm specializing in social media, brand awareness and constituent engagement. She has nearly 20 years of restaurant, retail and marketing experience with Caesar’s Palace, Landry’s, Marble Slab Creamery, Inc., Starbucks, Coach and the University of Houston. Ms. Ballard is active in her field and in the community, serving in the University of Houston Alumni Association, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Merchandise Committee and as a Member and Speaker for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Beginning in 2017 she has managed ACAM’s social media accounts including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

Abi Bankole, Bankole, Okoye & Associates PC

Abi Bankole is the fiscal consultant for ACAM’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) since it was first awarded in 2014. He is extensively experienced and knowledgeable about the nonprofit industry with more than 30 years combined experience in private practice and in industry.