Our Team

Lariesha Lee, LLMSW- Founder & Executive Director

  • “You are not what you’ve been through; you are who you choose to become.”

    I became a teen mom at 17, during a time when I was thriving as Miss Lake County, a student-athlete, and a young leader with big dreams. When I learned I was pregnant, everything shifted, how people saw me and how I saw myself.

    By 23, I was a mother of three, without a degree, and doing my best to get by. At 26, I made the decision to take my life back. I returned to school, started my healing journey, and refused to let my challenges define my future.

    A major turning point in my life was the Young Ambassadors Art of Leadership (YAAOL) program in Lake County, Michigan. Growing up in one of the poorest counties in the state, that program gave me mentorship, community, and a safe place to dream again. Mentors like Mary Trucks believed in me before I believed in myself, and that changed everything.

    Today, I am a Clinical Therapist, educator, speaker, and facilitator with more than 16 years of experience in social work, education, and leadership. I specialize in women’s wellness, mental health education, and healing-centered engagement. My work focuses on supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, and creating spaces where stories of resilience are honored.

    I currently serve as a therapist at LeadHERWell Village, where I use holistic and nature-informed approaches to support mental health. I am also the Founder and Executive Director of LeadHERship Impact, a nonprofit that provides culturally rooted mentorship, leadership development, and identity support for Black girls and young women in grades 6–12.

    Whether I’m facilitating groups, leading workshops, or speaking to audiences, my mission is simple:
    to help people see that they are more than their challenges and fully capable of becoming who they were meant to be.

    “It’s not what they call you; it’s what you answer to.”

Ashley Melton- Board of Director

  • Ashley is a Muskegon native who moved to Grand Rapids to attend Grand Valley State University, where she developed a strong passion for community engagement and advocacy. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Parenting Pathways, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents’ mental health and strengthening family well-being. Through her work, Ashley has gained experience in program development, community outreach, and trauma-informed support, always with a focus on breaking cycles of stress and building resilience. As a board member, she is excited for the opportunity to pour back into young girls of color in the community, helping to create spaces where they can grow, learn, and lead.

Shynequa Williams- Board of Director

  • Shynequa “Shy” Williams, LLMSW, is a dedicated social worker and therapist with over eight years of experience serving children, teens, and adults across diverse communities. Born and raised on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, she has devoted her career to protecting children and their peace. Shy currently works for Children’s Protective Services, as well as in corrections and clinical medical social work, and she accepts therapy clients ages 13 and up at Restored Counseling. Passionate about healing, empowerment, and community service, Shy continues to inspire others through her compassion and purpose-driven work.

Katie Jourdan- Board of Director

  • Katie is a health promotion leader with extensive experience in youth programming, strategic planning, and communications. She has worked at GVSU as the inaugural health promotion specialist on campus. She began her career as a health educator and fitness center coordinator for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi. After that, Katie was a public health educator with District Health Department #10 working in sexual health and substance abuse prevention among youth.

    Katie received her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

    She loves painting-by-numbers, donuts, and going for walks. Katie is grateful to live and work on the land of the People of the Three Fires.