Our People
Serving as a member of the Bluffton Self Help Board of Directors is both rewarding and challenging. As stewards of our clients and donors, we serve to fulfill our mission to help neighbors in need in every possible way, while at the same time carefully safeguarding the time and investments made by community volunteers and donors.
To learn more about involvement in the activities of Bluffton Self Help, and board-related commitments and activities, we encourage you to contact our Chief Executive Officer Courtney Hampson.
Executive Committee
Doug Adamson
Chair
Retired Business Executive
Doug Adamson
Chair
Retired Business Executive
Doug Adamson has been a member of Bluffton Self Help’s Board of Directors since 2014 and has served as its Chairman since 2017. Adamson and his wife Ronda retired to the Lowcountry in 2010 following his 40-year career in the banking industry. He held executive management positions in a community bank and large regional bank before joining the American Bankers Association in Washington, DC, where he served for 24 years as Executive Vice President. Doug, a self-described servant-leader, has held leadership positions in civic, charitable, and professional organizations throughout his life. While living in Bethesda Maryland, Doug was ordained as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and currently serves on the Session of Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton.
Joel Taylor
Vice Chair
CEO, Coastal Carolina Hospital
Joel Taylor
Vice Chair
CEO, Coastal Carolina Hospital
Joel Taylor was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Carolina Hospital, a 41-bed hospital, effective September 12, 2016, bringing with him many years of experience in successful leadership for several healthcare facilities. Effective April 11, 2018, he was named Hilton Head Regional Healthcare Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his position as Chief Executive Officer at Coastal Carolina Hospital. In this expanded role, Joel took on more operational leadership at Hilton Head Hospital, a 93-bed hospital, and is focused on driving growth in the health system’s key ancillary service lines. Joel was instrumental in the planning and opening of Tidewatch Emergency Department, a department of Coastal Carolina Hospital, the area’s first freestanding Emergency Department. Joel Taylor joined the Bluffton Self Help’s Board of Directors in 2019 and currently serves as Vice-Chair.
Mike Ventling
Treasurer
Retired Global Vice-Chair and CFO
Board of Directors
Don Brashears
Liberty Tax, Owner
Monie Hardwick
Executive Coach, Consultant at Hardwick Consulting Group
Neil Parsons
Town of Hardeeville, Administrative Services Director
Erica Pepper
Community & Development Relations Manager | Hargray
Erica Pepper
Community & Development Relations Manager | Hargray
Erica Pepper is Hargray’s Community and Development Relations Manager for Hilton Head Island. She joined Hargray in 2019 and has enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the communities and organizations on the island throughout her tenure. Prior to telecommunications she worked in private club management for 15 years. She met her husband Barry Pepper in Orlando, Florida while she was earning her BS in Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. They have had the pleasure of living in Orlando and Charlotte and relocated to Bluffton in 2011. They have two fun-loving children, Owen and Brilyn. This has been their favorite place to live together because of the natural beauty in the area but also because of the wonderful people they have been able to meet. When Erica is not at work she spends her time volunteering on the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber Jr. Leadership board, traveling with her family, and staying active. She’s thrilled to have the opportunity to spend her time with Bluffton Self Help and give back to the community she’s fallen in love with.
Linda Peterson
Financial Analyst at L3Harris
Cindy Rolfe
Owner | Lowcountry Fresh Market
Allan Schoenberger
Secretary
Schoenberger & Associates
Angela Simmons
Vice Chancellor for Student Development | USCB
Angela Simmons
Vice Chancellor for Student Development | USCB
Angela Simmons has worked in higher education for 30 years at various mid-sized and large universities in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Student Development at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. She has her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Mississippi State University and an Ed.D. from Florida State University. In addition to her work in higher education, Angela has served on various boards and is currently the vice chair for Hopeful Horizons. Angela and her husband, Dave Lunin, moved to the Lowcountry in 2019 and have enjoyed the opportunity to spend weekends at the beach reading and napping.
“The mission of Bluffton Self Help resonates with me on a personal level and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on the board. I grew up in a family with limited financial resources and am keenly aware of how the services provided by the organization can transform the lives of those most impacted by socioeconomic disparities and inequities.”
Constance Martin-Witter
Founding Member
Our Staff
Courtney Hampson
Chief Executive Officer
Courtney Hampson
Chief Executive Officer
Courtney Hampson was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Bluffton Self Help (BSH) in May 2022. after serving as BSH’s Chief Operating Officer for five months. Courtney brings a wealth of exceptional skills and a real passion for serving others to her new role. For the 16 years prior to joining Bluffton Self Help in January, Courtney held positions of increasing responsibility with Palmetto Bluff, most recently serving as Vice President of Marketing. In that capacity, she led all facets of marketing for the 20,000-acre residential and conservation community and resort.
After honing her leadership, team-building, and management skills in corporate positions, it was Courtney’s strong connections to the community and passion for service that led her back (Courtney served on BSH’s Board of Directors from 2010-2012) to Bluffton Self Help.
Julia Violi
Director of Volunteers & Basic Needs Programs
Julia Violi
Director of Volunteers & Basic Needs Programs
Julia came to Bluffton Self Help after 15 years of Resort Food and Beverage Management, Catering Sales, and Event Management with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism from the University of Kentucky in 2003. In January 2018, her husband, Courtney, and she welcomed a daughter, Paisley Jane. After a year at home, she stepped back into the workforce to support our team as Office Coordinator. “I’m grateful that I have found such a wonderful organization to work for and have enjoyed seeing the positive impact BSH makes in our community every day.” In February 2020, Julia moved into the Program Manager role overseeing Food, Clothing, and Special Programs. In 2022, she was promoted to Director of Volunteers and Basic Needs Programs.
Genesis Gonzalez
Director of Education Programs
Genesis Gonzalez
Director of Education Programs
In 2012, Genesis moved to South Carolina and quickly fell in love with the Lowcountry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina – Beaufort. That is where her experience in program coordinating began; creating associations/clubs, volunteer opportunities, and serving as a liaison between students and administration. Genesis is thrilled to be a part of Bluffton Self Help and the expansion of the education programs.
Danielle Dekruif
Marketing & Communications Manager
Danielle Dekruif
Marketing & Communications Manager
Danielle moved to Bluffton in 2018 with her family, from Phoenix, Arizona where she earned her Bachelors in Nonprofit Management at ASU. With over 10 years of marketing and development experience in the Nonprofit sector, Danielle enjoys giving back and became involved in the community as a BSH volunteer. She is now a staff member and helps reach others interested in giving back. Danielle enjoys spending time at the beach and outdoors with her husband and two young daughters, Hayden and Holland.
Sarah Olin
Administrative & Donor Support Specialist
Sarah Olin
Administrative & Donor Support Specialist
Sarah Olin moved to Beaufort in 2019 after earning her Bachelors in English for Professional Communication at Armstrong State University. As a Tampa native, Sarah enjoys spending her free time outdoors on her kayak or at home with her two cats. Before joining BSH, Sarah worked at a local waste management company, but found herself looking for something more meaningful.
“I am so proud and humbled to work for an organization that makes such a positive impact in our community.”
Candyce Childress
Client Intake Specialist
The Resource Hub
Barbara Bowers
Senior Client Advocate Manager
The Resource Hub
Barbara Bowers
Senior Client Advocate Manager
The Resource Hub
Barbara Bowers moved to Bluffton from the Northeast where she worked as a social worker for many years. Barbara was essential in opening our Education and Resource Center (ERC) in 2018. She is now the face of the ERC, has grown the programs and workshops offered to fit our neighbors’ needs. Many of our clients stop in just to see Barb and update her on their progress.
Malisha Peebles
Client Advocate
Kitties Landing Learning & Literacy Center
Malisha Peebles
Client Advocate
Kitties Landing Learning & Literacy Center
Malisha, a New York native, relocated to the Lowcountry in 2014 along with her family. Malisha has always had a passion to make a difference in her community. She joined the BSH team as a Client Advocate in 2022.
She comes with a wide range of experience serving in the nonprofit sector. In her early career, she served as a Crisis de-escalation supervisor in a behavioral modification school. There she discovered her passion to help others and the need to connect others with resources in their local community. Over the last decade, Malisha served communities as a victim advocate and case manager to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Malisha enjoys her self-care time when she’s not busy being a dance mom.
Janet Simonds
Basic Needs Program Manager
Janet Simonds
Basic Needs Program Manager
Janet is new to Bluffton, but not new to management. Most recently she comes from Publix Supermarkets where she served customers with their legendary customer service for almost ten years. Prior to that, in her hometown of Chicago, she served in the not for profit sector by coordinating a senior nutrition program providing home delivered meals and community dining locations for older adults.
Janet is thrilled to be in Bluffton and even more fulfilled working with Bluffton Self Help. She is passionate about all aspects of food and culture. She enjoys cooking, especially Italian dishes, watching the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Cubs, visiting the coast and historical sites and most of all being a “mom” to her three young men.
Emery King
Basic Needs Programs & Volunteer Specialist
Emery King
Basic Needs Programs & Volunteer Specialist
Emery joined Bluffton Self Help shortly after moving to South Carolina in 2022. Prior to moving, Emery had earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Social Sciences, and Humanities at Clarkson University, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of Hartford, and pursued further education at Widener University. Alongside academics, Emery gained experience in a wide variety of professional and internship positions including mental health work, car delivery, and pet care to name just a few. Now out of school, Emery’s free time is spent learning new skills such as Python coding, woodworking, and embroidery.
“I am so excited and proud to have the opportunity to apply my experience and versatility to this wonderful cause.”
Corina Altamirano
Center Manager
Learning & Literacy Center | Kitties Landing
Corina Altamirano
Center Manager
Learning & Literacy Center | Kitties Landing
Mari Reyes
Evening Coordinator
Learning & Literacy Center | Kitties Landing
Laural Johnson
Center Manager
Learning & Literacy Center | Hilton Head
Laural Johnson
Center Manager
Learning & Literacy Center | Hilton Head
Laural and her husband moved from Mooresville, NC to Bluffton, SC in 2020. They have two daughters (one in Omaha, NE, and one in Bluffton) and a black lab, Storm, who joined the family last December. Laural enjoys traveling, reading, all things real estate, and enjoying the Hilton Head beaches. Her experience with customer service started in Cincinnati, OH with Delta Airlines, and her commitment to helping others continued for 10 years as a certified special education teacher. Laural is an amazing advocate for others and has a wonderful way of bringing people together and building relationships. Laural joined the team at Bluffton Self Help in 2022.
“I look forward to continuing this passion with the team and the community at Bluffton Self Help,” said Laural.
Carmen Bazaco
Center Coordinator
Hardeeville Learning & Literacy Center
Carmen Bazaco
Center Coordinator
Hardeeville Learning & Literacy Center
Carmen was born and raised in Spain. She met her husband while he was studying abroad in Spain and moved to the US after earning her BA in Spanish. After living in different parts of the country, Carmen and her family settled in Bluffton in 2017. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and playing board games with her two daughters. “I am excited to be a part of the Learning and Literacy Center and to serve our growing community throughout the Lowcountry,” says Carmen.
Abigail Barna
Learning & Literacy Center Manager
Sheridan Park | Bluffton
Abigail Barna
Learning & Literacy Center Manager
Sheridan Park | Bluffton
Abby is originally from Mount Airy, Maryland. She moved to Hardeeville after graduating from Christopher Newport University in Virginia where she earned a BA in English and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is currently working towards her Masters in Library and Information Science through Syracuse University. If she is not busy with work or school she enjoys spending time with her fiance, Wyatt, and two dogs, Buster and Birdie. She enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, and working on converting a 40ft school bus into a drivable tiny home that they hope to be living in after they are married.
“I have a huge passion for serving my community and giving back to those around me. I couldn’t be more excited to be a member of the Bluffton Self Help team,” says Abby.
Pam Wall
Grants Writer
