Board of Directors

 Karla McDay, MSW-LISW-S, is a beacon of inspiration in the realm of social work and mental health advocacy. With a distinguished career spanning pivotal roles at esteemed organizations like The Children’s Home of Cincinnati and Summit County Children Services, she's made indelible impacts on the lives of transition-aged youth facing housing insecurity and mental health challenges. As the Founder and Executive Director of Harmony House, she's dedicated herself to addressing the pressing needs of vulnerable youth, showcasing unwavering commitment since April 1, 2022. Her multifaceted expertise extends to her role as the Clinical Director at Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health and as a respected mental health therapist in private practice. Beyond her professional accolades, Karla's infectious warmth and humor illuminate her personal life, where she finds solace alongside her husband Charles and their cherished dog, "Mellow." Karla McDay's relentless dedication and genuine compassion serve as a powerful force for positive change in her community and beyond.  

 Tony Grimes has been a driving force in youth development and community engagement since he joined the YMCA in 1994. With a BA Degree in Journalism from Muskingum College and the University of Akron, along with extensive experience coaching youth football and basketball, Tony's impact has been profound. From his roles as Head Football and Boys Track Coach at Kenmore High School to his recent position as Offensive Coordinator for the Buchtel High School Football Team, Tony has demonstrated unwavering dedication. As he rose through the ranks within the YMCA, Tony played a pivotal role in establishing the Black Achievers Program, matching minority youth with mentors from the community. Now serving as Vice President of Community Development, Tony continues to make a difference while enjoying hobbies such as coaching, fishing, and restoring old computers. 

 Dr. Workman, an Associate Professor at North Carolina A&T State University and Director of the Undergraduate Program in Social Work, is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in child welfare. Holding licenses as a Social Worker in Ohio and a Clinical Social Worker Associate in North Carolina, she earned her PhD in Social Work from Norfolk State University. With 19 years of experience spanning direct practice, research, and curriculum development, Dr. Workman's focus lies in addressing the impact of abuse and neglect on children and families, particularly youth transitioning out of foster care, child sexual abuse survivors, and individuals affected by sickle cell anemia. Beyond academia, she co-founded Harmony House, Inc., an emergency supportive housing ministry, and serves as Executive Director of the MCS Fund, advocating for those affected by sickle cell anemia. Dr. Workman's commitment extends to community involvement, including advisory roles with programs like JSTP and board membership with organizations like the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.  

 Dana K. LaGarde, a native of Akron, Ohio, dedicated 42 years of her career to AT&T/Ohio Bell before retiring in 2020. Rising from a Residential Service Representative to Lead Product Manager in the Small Business Digital Marketing Department, Dana's journey exemplifies her commitment to excellence and continuous growth. Outside the corporate world, Dana channeled her passion for youth development through extensive volunteerism, serving as a youth director and a transformation agent with YEPAW 365. Her advocacy for education and youth empowerment extends to her roles on local boards, including Project GRAD Akron and Emmanuel Christian Academy. Dana's leadership extends to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she held multiple leadership positions and received honors for her community service. With a BS in Business Management from Malone College and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace University, Dana's educational background complements her professional achievements. Married for nearly 50 years and a proud parent and grandparent, Dana remains actively involved in her community, embodying her belief in the importance of giving back and making a positive impact. 

Tamala Skipper is the Executive Director at Fair Housing Contact Service based in Akron, Ohio. The organization addresses issues of housing discrimination, tenant-landlord concerns, and provides housing counseling for home buyers and homeowners. Additionally, Tamala Skipper serves as the Board Treasurer for the Summit County Continuum of Care, which is a group that acts on behalf of and in the best interest of the Continuum of Care, including establishing responsibilities for the CoC Lead Agency, HMIS Lead, and Collaborative Applicant.

Tiffany Averrette-Smith, LCSW, MAC is an accomplished, energetic leader with over two decades of experience in clinical social work.  She thrives in dynamic environments where crisis management and counseling expertise are paramount. Her journey has been defined by a relentless commitment to empowering individuals and fostering positive change.
Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in crisis intervention, mental health assessment, and program development. She has led diverse teams, including 24/7 operations, providing essential services in high-pressure settings. Tiffany Averrette-Smith, LCSW, MAC is currently an Emergent & Urgent Lead Social Work Supervisor at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, leading a team of social workers in an emergency room setting, operating on a 24/7 schedule.  Her teams primary responsibility is to conduct triage mental health assessments, providing crucial support to veterans in crisis. They also offer psychosocial assessments, geriatric evaluations, and discharge planning for Geri-vets seeking emergent care.

 James T. Boggs, Esq., brings over 35 years of legal expertise to his practice, specializing in personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death litigation. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Marshall University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the College of Law at West Virginia University, James is admitted to practice in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and federal courts. His extensive career includes roles as in-house corporate counsel for Allegheny Energy, where he managed major claims and litigations, saving and recovering millions for the company. Relocating to Ohio in 2017, James served as Senior Advisor, I.T. Vendor Management for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Outside of law, James is a passionate musician and, along with his wife Susan, has a rich history of musical performance. 

Toya Kelker serves as the Community Development Relationship Manger for the

Akron-Canton region at Huntington Bank. In this capacity, she acts as a primary

liaison to the community, leading and coordinating initiatives that advance Huntington's community development goals and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance.

She leads efforts in volunteerism, grantmaking and strategic events designed to strengthen community engagement and build business partnerships.

Her work is focused on implementing strategies that drive economic growth and improve

the quality of life for low-to-moderate income individuals, families and communities.

Prior to joining Huntington Bank, Toya dedicated over 20 years to the nonprofit sector,

with a significant portion of her career spent in community development.

Most recently, she served as Director of Homeownership at East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC), where she was instrumental in promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities.

Throughout her career, Toya has developed expertise in program development, strategic partnership building, and community engagement.

Driven by a passion for service, Toya excels in building collaborative solutions that empower underserved populations and promote long-term impact.

Known for her ability to lead diverse teams, secure critical resources, and mange organizational change, Toya is driven by a commitment to social good. She is particularly inspired by initiatives that promote education, equity, and economic development.

With a strategic mindset and a compassionate approach, she ensures that her work fosters inclusion and sustainable growth in every community she serves.

 Marcus is a director of the law firm of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. and joined the firm in 2013.   Marcus focuses his practice on litigation matters including business litigation, domestic relations, personal injury litigation (plaintiff and defense), with an emphasis on employment and labor law.  As a part of his broad litigation practice, he counsels clients in a wide array of matters and legal issues, including business disputes and employment litigation.   In addition to his work at Harmony House, Marcus is also the Vice President of the Akron/Canton Barristers Assocation and on the Board of Directors for the Law & Leadership Institute.