Meet Our Board
Stacy Grooms
IBM,
Board Chair
Stacy Lawrence Grooms is a retired IBM Global Operations Director and philanthropist. Being the servant leader that she is, Ms. Grooms continues to devote her time and extensive leadership skills to effect change in the community–positively impacting and empowering all with whom she comes in contact. Ms. Grooms began her professional career with the IBM Corporation immediately upon graduation and worked for the Fortune 100 Company in technical, management and executive roles for 34 years until her retirement in 2018.
Stacy attended Purdue University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and continued her studies at the State University of New York at Binghamton where she received a Master of Arts degree in Analytical Chemistry.
Stacy has an affinity for youth and is very engaged in the community–serving in leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations. She is a member of the 2013 Class of Leadership Atlanta and as a class project, was assigned to work with The Study Hall, Inc. Stacy absolutely loved the program and the positive impact it had on its students and later joined the board of directors. She has served on the board since December 2013 and served as the board secretary (2014-2017). Her years of dedicated service to the program afforded her the opportunity to be elected as Chairman of The Study Hall, Inc. Board of Directors in 2017.
Stacy is a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta and serves on the Scholarship Committee and the Timothy Byrd Usher Board. She enjoys reading, traveling and gardening in her leisure. A twenty-five (25) year resident of Atlanta, Stacy is happily married and mother to one daughter.
Beatrice Copeland
Deluxe Corporation,
Personnel Committee Chair
Bea Copeland is the Sr. Human Resources Business Partner supporting the IT & Strategy organizations within Deluxe Corporation, based in Atlanta, GA.
Prior to Deluxe, Bea worked for such companies as Verizon Wireless, the City of Atlanta and most recently The Coca-Cola Company. Committed to serving children and youth, Bea is a current Board Member and Personnel Committee Chair of The Study Hall, Inc. Originally from Brooklyn, New York; Bea resides in Cobb County, GA with her husband Damon and their boys Davis & Dylan.
John Decker
Retired - Childress Klein,
Board Development Chair
Carlye Dooley, CPA
Windham Brannon,
Treasurer
Shepard Ansley
Attorney-at-law
Breana Ware
Kennesaw State University,
Board Secretary
Breana Ware is the Assistant Legal Counsel in the Division of Legal Affairs at Kennesaw State University. The Division of Legal Affairs works to ensure the University’s compliance with Georgia law, as well as the policies and procedures of the University System of Georgia. Prior to joining KSU, Breana was a Senior Associate at Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, where she focused on construction litigation, international arbitration, and government contracts.
Breana earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served for two years as a student-attorney representing indigent clients in family court proceedings for the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Breana earned her B.A., summa cum laude, in English Literature from Boston College.
Breana is dedicated to improving literacy rates among youth in the Metro Atlanta area and has worked with several organizations with educational missions, including The Study Hall, Inc., to advance this mission. Breana joined The Study Hall’s board in 2016 and has served as the board secretary since 2019.
Elizabeth Finn Johnson
Retired - The Coca-Cola Company
Elizabeth Finn Johnson, Of Counsel for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation since 2015, retired in 2015 from The Coca-Cola Company as Senior Counsel, Employee Relations after 25 years. Joining Coca‑Cola’s Legal Division in 1990, her practice concentrated in employment discrimination counseling and litigation defense. She defended Coca-Cola in a number of significant matters, served as counsel to Coca-Cola’s Global Workplace Rights function, which included the Company’s human rights work, a subject about which she is passionate, and was repeatedly voted a Georgia Super Lawyer by her peers. A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Virginia Law School, she is passionate about pro bono and community service work, and since retiring from Coca-Cola, she has provided pro bono representation to numerous survivors of intimate partner violence and handled several landlord-tenant claims. Ms. Johnson serves on a number of non-profit boards, including the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (President, 2014-2015); The Study Hall (past chair); the Anti-Defamation League, Southeast Region; and the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Bar Foundation. She served as the long-time chair of the Coca-Cola Legal Division’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, leading the Company’s pro bono and community service work. She has been recognized for her pro bono and community service work, receiving a number of awards including Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta’s Volunteer of the Year award; Counsel on Call’s Wonder Woman award; the Anti-Defamation League’s Elbert P. Tuttle Jurisprudence Award; the American Corporate Counsel, Georgia Chapter, Community Champion award; and the League of Women Voters’ Award for Community Service and Leadership.
Dale Lewis
CBRE
Dale Lewis is a Senior Vice President in the CBRE Advisory & Transaction Services group. He works on behalf of office tenants, leveraging market forces to benefit clients in value-driven transactions. Dale has over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate and finance, representing both tenants and landlords in office leasing and sales. Having served clients on both sides of the negotiating table, he has created a reputation as a successful negotiator and dealmaker. He is one of the few Atlanta commercial real estate brokers to have been awarded all three of the awards conferred annually by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors: Realtor of the Year, Community Service Award, and the President’s Award.
Dale attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Dale is passionate about developing opportunities that support underserved youth in his community. He has been a member of The Study Hall Board of Directors for approximately 20 years, serving as Board Chair for three years, and a member of the Board of The First Tee of Metro Atlanta since 2016.
Dale is married to his wife, Constance Barkley Lewis, who shares his passion for serving underserved children. They are active members of Trinity Presbyterian Church where he currently serves as an Elder.
Ray Stache
Cushman & Wakefield
Ray Stache is a Managing Director in Cushman & Wakefield’s Atlanta Industrial Brokerage Services group. Mr. Stache specializes in assisting national and international companies and institutions with all aspects of real estate requirements. This includes disposition of assets, site location, and new facility development. He is the area leader for Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Supply Chain Solutions Group.
Ray was introduced to The Study Hall over 10 years ago. Immediately realized the impact the organization could have on the students and families in the neighbourhoods that it serves. The Study Hall has been a passion of his ever since. He has served in multiple roles, including past Chairman of the Board and currently Chair of the Location Committee.
Recently married to Madeline and proud father/stepfather of 4 adult children out making a difference in the world.
Brent Strength
JE Dunn Construction
Brent Strength moved to Atlanta, Ga in 2002 after graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Construction Management. He is a Vice President at JE Dunn Construction Company and leads the national Industrial & Manufacturing market sector. He is currently working on projects across the US for a variety of fortune 500 manufacturing companies in the automotive, paper, consumer goods, food & beverage, warehouse, and process industrial sectors. Brent focuses on building strong client relationships by first understanding their purpose, goals, and needs and then delivering transformational solutions through JE Dunn’s industry leading technology and innovative processes. In his free time, Brent enjoys participating in outdoor activities such as mountain biking, golfing, hunting, and sporting clays. Community involvement is important to Brent and he is currently also serves on the board of the Northside Athletes Foundation.
Mark Veach
CIBC
Mark Veach has been in commercial banking since 1986, serving middle-market clients. Today, Mark manages the Atlantic Region for CIBC Bank USA. This region includes the commercial banking offices in Atlanta, Boston, and New York City. All three offices provide full service banking products to commercial clients that range from senior debt, treasury management, foreign exchange, derivatives and other capital markets solutions.
CIBC is one of the largest banks in North America with its US headquarters in Chicago, Illinois and the international headquarters in Toronto, Canada. CIBC is a leading capital markets bank with assets over $400 billion and a market cap of nearly $40 billion.
Prior to CIBC, Mark developed with other former LaSalle Bank colleagues The PrivateBank. The PrivateBank began as a $4 billion commercial bank in 2008 and subsequently grew to over $20 billion in assets, with organic growth of approximately $1 billion per year. The PrivateBank was successfully sold to CIBC.
Mark’s banking career includes employment with LaSalle Bank as Senior Vice President & Division Head – Southeast, as well as Bank of America – Senior Vice President & Head of Indiana and southern Ohio.
Mark serves on the board of directors of The Study Hall. The Study Hall is an after school and summer school program for K-5 graders in the Peoplestown area of Atlanta. Mark also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Mark is an active member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Association of Manufacturers.
Mark graduated from Indiana University – Bloomington in 1985 with a double major in Finance and English.
Mark lives in Brookhaven, GA with his wife Christi and their daughter Vivienne. Mark also has a son, Bryce, who is a senior at Indiana University. Mark enjoys playing golf and college football.
Darren Ross
Colliers International
Danielle Miller is a Senior Principal for The Keystone Group, a management consulting firm. At Keystone, Danielle works with mid-size clients across a variety of situations, including growth strategy, operational improvement, turnaround, and acquisition integration. Having started her career with Keystone in Chicago, Danielle moved to Atlanta in 2014 to help establish the firm’s second office, which she now leads. Dedicated to the growth and development of others, Danielle also leads Keystone’s Training & Development program.
Prior to Keystone, Danielle attended the University of Illinois College of Business where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Immediately upon moving to Atlanta, Danielle began to explore and volunteer with a variety of nonprofit organizations before finding her home at The Study Hall in 2019. She currently serves on the event planning committee and supports various initiatives around data analysis and management.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and pup, playing tennis, and cycling.
Danielle Miller
The Keystone Group
Danielle Miller is a Senior Principal for The Keystone Group, a management consulting firm. At Keystone, Danielle works with mid-size clients across a variety of situations, including growth strategy, operational improvement, turnaround, and acquisition integration. Having started her career with Keystone in Chicago, Danielle moved to Atlanta in 2014 to help establish the firm’s second office, which she now leads. Dedicated to the growth and development of others, Danielle also leads Keystone’s Training & Development program.
Prior to Keystone, Danielle attended the University of Illinois College of Business where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Immediately upon moving to Atlanta, Danielle began to explore and volunteer with a variety of nonprofit organizations before finding her home at The Study Hall in 2019. She currently serves on the event planning committee and supports various initiatives around data analysis and management.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and pup, playing tennis, and cycling.
Ryan Wood
Hines
As Senior Director at Hines, Ryan Wood leads all industrial/logistics developments and acquisitions for the region. Covering all Southeastern markets, Wood is tasked with growing the industrial platform for the firm through ground-up developments and acqusitions. Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment, development and management firm, founded in 1957, with a presence in 205 cities in 24 countries and $133 billion of assets under management.
Before joining Hines, Wood oversaw leasing, asset management, capital deployment and capital recycling efforts for Georgia and Central Florida at IDI Logistics following his national role as Vice President of Corporate Development for the firm. Prior to IDI Logistics, Wood was part of JLL’s Industrial Services group where he was also a co-creator and patent holder of JLL’s proprietary geospatial tool - Blackbird™.
Wood earned two degrees from Duke University: a BA in Sociology with certificate in Markets and Management and a graduate degree in Humanities with a focus on Globalization and Social Capital. He was the recipient of the National Football Foundation award for the top senior football student-athlete at Duke University for academic performance.
Wood is a member and officer at Perimeter Church where he also serves on the board of Kingdom Investments, the grant-making arm of the church aiming to transform communities. Wood also serves on The Board of Directors at The Study Hall. Having grown up in a home with parents spending over 50 combined years in education, Wood has an affinity for children and education.
Jacquetta Watkins (ex-officio member)
The Study Hall,
Executive Director
Dr. Marvin Palmore
American Anesthesiology at
Emory Decatur Hospital
Anesthesiologist
Marvin Palmore is a physician and practicing anesthesiologist. He began his professional career in Atlanta 30 years ago as an assistant professor of Anesthesia at Emory University Hospital. For the past 25 years, he has worked at DeKalb Medical Center, now know as Emory Decatur Hospital, and served on multiple hospital leadership committees.
Currently he is chief medical director for the group practice under the employ of North American Partners in Anesthesia.
Marvin studied at Yale University where he receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, and at Dartmouth Medical School where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed his medical internship at Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and anesthesiology residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in the city of New York.
Marvin joined the Study Hall board in May 2019 and has learned first hand what an integral and important role the organization plays in the People’s town area of downtown Atlanta.
Marvin is a member of the Cathedral of St. Philip and a resident of Sandy Springs, Georgia. He is an avid golfer, skier and gardener and enjoys a 30 year marriage to
Melody Pratt Palmore, MD. They have two adult children.
Nick Fabor
IDI Logistics
Caroline Howell
Kurt Ehlers
Total Renovation Services,
Vice President
Mallori Hamilton
WB Interior
Mallori is a licensed interior designer at NELSON. She is the Specialty Studio Director leading a team of 8 focusing on high design level hospitality and specialty projects. Her team does everything from boutique custom hotels, restaurants, boutique retail, religious institutions and more. She has 17+ years of experience and loves taking that experience to mentor young designers and upcoming designers. She spends time mentoring at SCAD Atlanta and many high school students as they seek out design as a profession.
Ms. Hamilton attended Colorado State University where she received her BS in Design and Merchandising with a concentration on Interior Design and construction. She is working on her Masters in Interior Design Education.
Ms. Hamilton has always had a huge heart for the younger generation from leading discipleship groups at her church or getting involved in organizations like The Study Hall. She has been a part of the Christmas event held at TSH for the students for the last 8 years. This event has been put on by Wakefield Beasley and Associates, led by Elizabeth Sessions. The opportunity to be on the board through WBA (now Nelson, Alpharetta) was something she wanted to do and get involved on another level. She has been on the Board of Directors for one year.