Meet Our Team
Joy Nelson Thomas
Founder & Executive Director
Read Joy's Bio
Joy holds a B.A. from Salem College and is a certified Life Coach through an ICF (International Coach Federation)-recognized institution. She is also certified in safe-talk and suicide prevention. Joy’s ‘why’ in life is: “impact every girl that comes in her life in some way.” Joy feels it’s our responsibility to be the change we want to see in our community, not just talk about it.
She is active in the community and serves on the boards and leadership committees of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, Carolina Core FC Academy, and Winston-Salem Fashion Week. She is also a contributor for Triad Voice Business Inspiration section.
Joy has received numerous honors recognizing her accomplishments as a nonprofit and business leader. Most recently, she was the proud recipient of the 2022 Black Business Ink 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad and the 2021 Triad Business Journal C-Suite Award.
When Joy is not working to change a girl, a community, and the world, she’s spending time with her husband Jasper and her four-year-old son, JT.
Britney Dent
Director of Programs
Read Britney's Bio
Britney holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a Life Coach for parents and teenagers. She also is Hands On North West & Wake Forest University Women’s Emerging Leaders Graduate and City of Winston Salem University 2022 graduate. Britney also has several certifications from her 10-year tenure as a public school teacher and her role in the non-profit sector. Britney believes in “working hard and being nice.”
Britney is a 2022 United Way Women United Transformational Leader and she has been featured in several media publications. She serves on the board for Triad Restorative Justice and volunteers with many local organizations. In her spare time, Britney enjoys reading, watching Jeopardy and playing board games with family and friends.
Karen Harris, LCMHCS, LCAS-A
LEAD Facilitator & Family Liaison
Read Karen's Bio
Karen has more than thirty years of experience working with teens and families. She is passionate about helping others overcome their challenges and realize their full potential. Karen holds a master of arts degree in public affairs, a master of science in counseling and a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor, a licensed clinical addiction specialist and she holds a National Boards certification in school counseling.
Jasmynn Blackshear
LEAD Facilitator
Read Jasmynn's Bio
Jasmynn, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. She is courageous in fulfilling her passion to impact and change the lives of the youth. Jasmynn believes, “You have the voice to change the nation- never bite your tongue. You possess the power to make a difference- never sit back in fear. You have youth full of dreams- fight so their dreams can be their reality!” She is thrilled to be a part of the LEAD Girl’s team in support of their mission. Jasmynn loves to bowl, explore nature, and do arts and crafts.
Denise W. McCoy
LEAD Facilitator
Read Denise's Bio
Denise has called Winston-Salem home since relocating from Iredell County in 1997. She has a passion for advocating and empowering others. After working in law enforcement, Denise made a career change to education. She now has more than 36 years of experience as a facilitator, trainer, parent educator, mentor and program coordinator. Denise is committed to working with families, children, and communities to achieve a goal of moving “Forward together, not one step backwards.”
Jada Senn
LEAD Ambassador
Read Jada's Bio
Jada Senn is a Freshman at Glenn High School. Her hobbies are reading, cheer and dance, online shopping and hanging out with her family. Jada has been in the LEAD Girls organization for 4 years. She wants to be a criminal defense lawyer when she graduates and goes off to college. Jada’s favorite quote is: “ Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wilde.
Myla Dent
LEAD Ambassador
Read Myla's Bio
Myla Dent is a high school freshman. She likes to dance, sing, and play golf. Myla has been in LEAD for 3 years. She wants to be a professional golfer and own her own business in the future. Something she lives by is 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Do everything in love.”
NiJayla Hampton
LEAD Intern
Read NiJayla's Bio
NiJayla Hampton is from a small town called Eden, NC. She is an honors student at Winston-Salem State University and will be graduating May of 2024 with a Bachelors in Social Work. One of her proudest accomplishments is being on the dean’s list from sophomore to senior year. She actively serves in the Social Work club and is a student worker in the provost office.
NiJayla desires to have a positive impact within her community and throughout the world by way of leadership, ambition, empathy, compassion and patience. As she got older she realized “I am changing everyday” and she lives by words from her mom: The word “can’t” is nonexistent and “Everything I’m Not Made Me Who I Am.”