Meet The Board
CEO of Spartan Hubbard Group
LaToya C. Staten
LaToya C. Staten (la-toy-a stay-ten) is a skilled connector who strategically helps others navigate the complexities of building inclusive ecosystems. Through her work as CEO of Spartan Hubbard Group, she spearheads numerous initiatives aimed at advancing public-private workforce and economic development opportunities.
​
LaToya is equipped with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University. Her professional growth extends beyond her formal education, as she holds a Certified Agile Scrum Master designation. Additionally, she has earned certificates in various domains, including Black Tech Ecosystem Investments, Technology Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity for Leaders, Small Business Consulting, and I.T.
programs
Senior Vice President with MainStreet Bank
David Murrell ​
David Murrell is an accomplished Commercial Banking Officer and currently Senior Vice President with MainStreet Bank. A finance and banking professional for over 21 years. He is passionate about contributing to his organizations and clients’ growth and success. While David has also excelled in a Top 5 U.S. bank, he finds that MainStreet Bank, as a community bank, gives him the flexibility and support to help shape the offerings available to clients. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, cash management, treasury services, merchant, credit, and client management. David holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Maryland with a double major in finance and marketing. After graduating, David continued to study accounting, which contributes to his ability to advance his clients’ overall financial success. He feels community involvement and financial literacy for both adults and youth are imperative.
Vice President of Operations at Labor Credit Union in Washington, D.C.
Audra Pettus
With over a decade of experience in the financial services sector, Audra excels in community engagement and financial wellness initiatives. Her leadership has driven teams to achieve goals, deliver outstanding service, and enhance performance, fueled by a dedication to empowering communities with financial education and tools for wellness.
Audra's diverse background includes roles in large national banks and community development financial institutions, spanning branch management, underwriting, operations, communications, business development, marketing, and brand awareness. Her expertise and commitment to financial wellness have garnered recognition in publications such as WTOP, The NAFCU Journal, DC News Now, and American University Magazine.
Board Member
Talbert Hill
Originally from Buffalo, Talbert holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Morgan State University School of Engineering. Additional he completed Corporate Leadership, Technology, and Customer Experience Training Programs. He has 20+ years with various Fortune 100 companies. Professionally he has worked for GE, IBM, Salesforce.com, and HP helping companies utilize Technology to drive better Customer Experiences.
​
Talbert has mentored disadvantaged young men, coach youth sports, completed Men’s Leadership Program at his church. He is a member of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, and Leadership Gwinnett. He has serviced on the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors, Sheltering Arms Board of Directors, and is the Chairmen of the Satellite Commercial Property Association Board. He also Co-Chaired an All-Pro Dads elementary school program. He enjoys utilizing his professional experience and leadership in preparing future entrepreneur leaders for the 21 century.
Board Member
John Geiling
John Geiling is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and advisor with more than three decades of experience building, operating, and scaling service-based businesses, primarily within the plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical services sectors. He has served as President and CEO of multi-million-dollar contracting organizations, where he led growth initiatives spanning operations, finance, talent development, and customer experience.
​
JIn addition to his professional pursuits, John is an active mentor and thought leader, sharing practical insights on leadership, culture, and operational excellence. Known for his straightforward approach and deep industry credibility, he is particularly passionate about helping founder-led businesses transition into professionally managed, high-performing organizations.
Board Member
Richard Gibbs
Richard A. Gibbs is an accomplished attorney and technology professional whose career spans more than two decades across privacy law, data governance, digital advertising, and advanced technologies. He currently serves as Lead Privacy Counsel at Publicis Re:Sources, the global shared-services organization of Publicis Groupe. Richard joined the Groupe following its acquisition of Lotame Solutions, Inc., where he served as Assistant General Counsel, Head of Privacy and Product Counseling. In his current role, he continues to advise on the products and data-driven services previously developed under the Lotame portfolio, guiding complex global privacy, data protection, and technology matters across engineering, product, marketing, commercial, and policy teams.
​
As a strategic partner to business and technical leaders, Richard helps organizations navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of innovation, regulation, and consumer trust.
Founder & CEO
Shomari James
Shomari Akil James is a strategist, systems builder, investor, and speaker working at the intersection of financial wellness, ownership, and institutional strategy. He is the founder and
Chairman of Equity Now, Inc., a nonprofit advancing financial education and generational wealth-building through schools, organizations, and community-based partnerships. Over the last two decades, Shomari has worked across Fortune 500 environments, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots spaces—bringing operational discipline and strategic clarity to complex challenges. Trained in industrial engineering and certified in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, he approaches strategy through measurement, alignment, and execution. For Shomari, what gets measured moves—and what moves compounds.
Beyond corporate and advisory work, he built a successful multi-million-dollar organization and launched a K–8 charter school grounded in financial education and ownership principles. His work bridges boardrooms and communities, helping leaders design systems that hold up in the real world and produce measurable impact.
Co-Founder/ Director of Community Engagement and Finance
Antoine Williams
Antoine has a profound business studies and economics background. Armed with a bachelor's degree from State University College at Buffalo and a master's degree from Webster University, he brings a wealth of knowledge.
With an impressive fourteen-year track record in the industry, Antoine has honed his strategic management and experiential marketing expertise. His career has been marked by pivotal roles in operations, marketing, and leadership, all within renowned organizations, including RedPeg Marketing, Relay Worldwide, Host Communications, Grassroots Promotions, and Howard University Hospital.