The inspire life BOARD
Semaj Vanzant | Co-founder
Pastor Semaj Vanzant is the Co-Founder and former Board President of Inspire Life and a trained theologian known for his deep commitment to his calling and his strength in visionary leadership, organizational development, and community impact. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gannon University with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Psychology, earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and completed a Doctor of Ministry at St. Paul’s School of Theology.
Pastor Semaj is the founding pastor and pastor-teacher of Encounter Christ Global Fellowship in Neptune, New Jersey. He currently serves as Director of the newly formed Faith Action Center for the State of New Jersey, working alongside the Lieutenant Governor to strengthen connections between faith communities, nonprofits, and statewide initiatives. He is also the President of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey and continues to serve in key community leadership roles, including as a member of the Brookdale Community College President’s Community Advisory Board. His service has included chaplaincy roles supporting local public safety partners, including the Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Pastor Semaj previously served as the Director of Launch Center (an initiative of Interfaith Neighbors, Inc.) and, while he no longer holds that role, he leaves a strong legacy of building barrier-smashing opportunities and strengthening pathways for community growth.
Shanel Ingram | Trustee
Shanel R. Ingram is the founder and owner of Shanel Ronnai, LLC, a creative company dedicated to using graphic design and media to help individuals, small businesses, and organizations build strong brands and effectively communicate their messages. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University.
Shanel currently serves as an Elementary Substitute Teacher and Math Support Educator at Aidan Montessori, where she supports learners across classrooms with a focus on individualized instruction and confidence-building in mathematics. She also serves as a Substitute Teacher in the Asbury Park School District, bringing creativity, structure, and care into diverse learning environments.
As a Director for Inspire Life, Shanel has played a key role in planning and executing summer camps, a Tech Summit, and a Coding Camp for students in grades 3–8. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the RMW Foundation, Inc., an organization committed to feeding, educating, and empowering children and families, and on the Brookdale Community College Foundation, which works to expand access to higher education through scholarships.
Heather Coburn | Board Secretary
Heather Coburn is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore (GSJS), where she leads a dedicated team of over 40 full-time staff, 20+ board members, and countless volunteers and supporters. Together, they work to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Heather is a passionate advocate for the Girl Scout movement and the Jersey Shore council, which serves over 12,500 girl and adult members from Monmouth and Ocean counties. As CEO, she has championed a strategic vision that expands access for girls, transforms program experiences, and engages community partners. Her initiatives include the expansion of Camp Sacajawea to include an Outdoor Garden and STEM Lab, the beautification of Camp Amity Acres, and the launch of "Innovation Station," a mobile STEAM unit providing transformative programming to economically disadvantaged girls.
Duane Montgomery | Co-Treasurer
Duane is a dedicated Wealth Management Small Business Specialist with 16 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Currently, he serves as the Vice President, Business Banking Relationship Manager at Citizens Bank. Duane is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their financial goals. His extensive knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small businesses allows him to provide personalized solutions that meet their specific needs.
Deeply committed to his local community, Duane actively volunteers with various charitable organizations, demonstrating his dedication to giving back and making a positive impact. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Duane is committed to helping you achieve your financial goals and elevate your business to the next level.
GILLIAN EDGAR | BOARD CHAIR
Gillian Edgar is a mission-driven leader specializing in operational management and strategic planning. She currently serves as Director of Operations at Affordable Housing Alliance, where she advances organizational efficiency, cross-functional operations, and systems development in support of housing stability and community impact. She is known for translating vision into scalable strategies that strengthen organizational performance and long-term sustainability.
With a strong track record managing complex initiatives, Gillian brings a data-informed, systems-focused approach that strengthens accountability, resource alignment, and organizational effectiveness while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Gillian is an original member of the Inspire Life Board and now serves as President. In this role, she supports the organization’s strategic direction, governance, and growth, bringing an equity-centered, systems-focused lens to decision-making and long-term planning.
A Monmouth County native, Gillian lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, Alonso, and their Australian cattle dog, Taco. Gillian and Alonso share a passion for the outdoors and travel and spend their free time exploring the world together.
Dr. David Julius Ford | Trustee
Dr. David Julius Ford, Jr., Ph.D., LCMHC (NC), LPC (VA, NJ), NCC, ACS, is a distinguished professional in the field of mental health counseling and education. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University, and earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University in 2014. Dr. Ford is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and New Jersey. Additionally, he is a Board-Certified Counselor and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Currently, Dr. Ford serves as a Tenured Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Professional Counseling at Monmouth University, where he has been teaching for six years. He previously taught at James Madison University and has an extensive background in various aspects of counseling and education. He is the Past-President of the New Jersey Counseling Association and holds multiple leadership roles within the American Counseling Association and the National Career Development Association.
Dr. Ford's professional interests encompass a broad range of areas, including Black Greek life, multicultural issues, college students, Black men in higher education, career counseling, addictions counseling, supervision, group work, qualitative research, queer and trans BIPOC issues, intersectionality, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. He has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in counseling and human services and has published award-winning research in the field.
Akene Dunkley | Trustee
Akene “the Champ” Dunkley began his musical journey at the age of six, receiving classical piano training in the heart of New York. With years of professional instruction, Akene developed exceptional sight-reading abilities and the skill to play by ear. He furthered his passion by studying Music Theory at Rutgers University, where he graduated with honors in Electrical Engineering. Additionally, he earned a master’s in education from Monmouth University.
Currently, Akene is a math teacher in Long Branch, where he is deeply involved in the community, bringing inspiration to his students in the classroom and outside the classroom. Akene’s nickname, “the Champ,” reflects his relentless drive to overcome obstacles and achieve triumph in various aspects of life. His dedication to music, coupled with extensive studio experience, has led him to collaborate with several A-list artists and earn three Grammy nominations.
Alexander Simone | Trustee
Alexander Simone is a prolific artist, musician, and songwriter from Asbury Park, New Jersey. Growing up in a religious household and under the influence of his legendary grandmother, Nina Simone, Alexander naturally gravitated towards music. His grandmother, a pastor with a large congregation in New Jersey, instilled in him a strong moral foundation and an early discipline in music.
From a young age, Alexander was immersed in the world of music, learning to play the piano by ear and directing choirs. His passion for music was further fueled by the sounds of Motown and iconic artists like Donny Hathaway, Teddy Pendergrass, and Sam Cooke, leading him to realize that music was his true calling. At the age of 14, Alexander began composing his own music and sound. By 15, he was ghostwriting for a family member with industry connections, honing his craft and never looking back. Today, he is a master of soulful performance, known for his original songs that reflect his life experiences and his ability to captivate audiences worldwide. With his band, Whodat, Alexander delivers an unforgettable musical experience, blending genres and evoking a range of emotions that make audiences dance, cry, laugh, and most importantly, wake up and live with love. Alexander's dedication to music and his community, along with his exceptional talent and ability to inspire, make him an integral part of the Inspire Life Board of Directors.
HEATHER BARBERI | TRUSTEE
Heather Barberi serves as Executive Director of the Grunin Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to unlocking the potential of the Central Jersey Shore through investments in innovation, equity, and collaboration. Working in partnership with the Foundation’s President, Board, and staff, Heather advances its mission by providing holistic support—funding, capacity building, and coalition building—to organizations committed to creating a more just, equitable, and vibrant region.
Deeply committed to values-driven, trust-based philanthropy, Heather builds strong, accountable relationships with partners. Her leadership is grounded in authenticity, vulnerability, collaboration, joy, and justice, ensuring the Foundation’s values translate into meaningful action.
With nearly 25 years of experience in fundraising, philanthropy, marketing, strategic development, and management, Heather leverages her experience to champion innovative projects and partnerships that drive transformative change in the community.
Beyond her role at the Grunin Foundation, Heather actively engages with the community, serving on numerous boards and committees for nonprofit organizations—continuing her commitment to collaboration and impact.
Sovonna day-goins | Trustee
SoVonna Goins is a financial services executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience on Wall Street, advising global companies and private equity firms on acquisition and bridge finance, as well as sustainability-focused strategies. She brings deep experience in governance, strategic planning, and mission-aligned leadership.
SoVonna is the Founder and CEO of Women X Meta (WXM), an education and social impact organization focused on empowering youth, families, and women through financial literacy, digital education, and future-ready skills. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards and executive committees supporting youth development, education, and the arts.
She is passionate about strengthening community-based organizations and helping Inspire Life expand its impact while remaining rooted in purpose, equity, and opportunity for families.
KRIS GOINS | Trustee
Kris Goins brings a grounded, community-centered perspective to the Inspire Life Board, shaped by his background in industrial engineering, culinary arts, and family engagement leadership. He brings a practical, systems-oriented approach to building programs that are both meaningful and well-executed.
He has held leadership roles in school and community settings, including serving as Vice President of the Deal School PTA, where he supported parent engagement and collaboration. Kris is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Women X Meta (WXM), where he leads operations strategy, logistics, and program execution.
As a parent advocate and operations leader, Kris is passionate about strengthening family connections and supporting youth and families through meaningful, community-driven programs.