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board of directors
Rebecca Smith-Nash, MA, LPC-S | Liaison
Founder & CEO
Rebecca Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor. She is also trained as a Parent Facilitator/Parent Coordinator and Mediator. Rebecca facilitates workshops and training programs on various topics related to high conflict divorce and custody modification across the nation. Rebecca graduated with Honors from Southwest Texas State University. After her Bachelor's, Rebecca moved to Huntsville and graduated with Honors from Sam Houston State University with a Masters of Arts in Counseling. Immediately following her Master's program, Rebecca attended the PhD program in Counseling for 5 semesters. Rebecca has been working with children since 1998 and has been in the mental health field since 2003.
Rebecca recognized the profound need to expand her philanthropy work and founded the nonprofit, Love Heals You. Serving foster youth at no cost is an endeavor she started in 2008, but when she became aware of the child welfare crisis, she knew she had to do more. Understanding how love is incredibly transformative, it was inevitable that Love Heals must be the focus for the nonprofit.
Dina Hafley, President
Dina Hafley is a native Texan and has been raised in Montgomery County, graduating from Conroe High School. She works for BMC Software as an Executive Assistant.
While Dina has served on various boards throughout Montgomery County, she is currently serving on the Board for Love Heals Youth and Montgomery County Aggie Moms. Dina has been a member of the Junior League of The Woodlands since 2007. She has been married for 27 years to the Honorable John Hafley. Together they have 2 Children, JC Hafley who is attending Ole Miss and Deanna Hafley who is attending Texas A&M.
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Liz foley, vice president/treasurer
With over 40 years leadership experience, Liz Foley brings expertise in fundraising, event management, volunteers, operational management, customer service, community outreach and culture change to Love Heals Youth. Working across a variety of industries including the Papas Restaurant Organization, American General, AIG and finding her true calling in the nonprofit sector first with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and now as a Sr Field Representative for the NRA. In addition to serving with LHY, Liz has volunteered with many organizations in Montgomery County, where she has called home since 1972, and serves as the Chaplin and Chair for Americansim for the MCRW group.
Brenda Smith, secretary
I am a retired high school mathematics teacher.
I have worked with children of all ages in church as a Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, youth director, and VBS teacher.
I currently substitute teach for a private Christian school from pre-k to high school. I also collect, stock and distribute clothes to foster care group homes., as well as providing academic tutoring in foster care group homes.
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Jerry Smith
pam milstead, CSW
Vice President, Private Banking
Pamela Milstead is a vice president in Frost’s private banking group. She joined Frost in 2016 and has
been in the financial industry for 25 plus years. She has lived and worked in the Spring/Woodlands area
since 1997. Pamela is responsible for helping clients navigate their sophisticated and diverse financial
needs by developing a tailored plan and unique combination of services designed to protect and grow
wealth to reach future goals.
Pamela earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Sam Houston State University
and holds her Texas General Lines for Life, Accident, Health and HMO Insurance license. She is a
Certified Wealth Strategist®, a General Securities Representative and an Investment Adviser
Representative.
Pamela is a Montgomery County Leadership graduate, Class of 2022. She was a previous Montgomery
County Cancer Society board member and is currently on the board for Love Heals Youth and the
Executive Women’s Alliance.
Olivia vix
Olivia currently serves as Senior Director of Supply Chain at Southwestern Energy Company. Given her expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement, contract administration and business insight, she shapes the plans, reviews results and provides direction in order to meet LHY’s goals.
As a native Houstonian, Olivia is passionate about making a difference in the community in which she works and lives. She is honored to work with LHY and is committed to making meaningful change for our local youth.
“Working with LHY is a dream come true. Hearing the mission, for me, was a call to action. Meeting a child’s basic needs but also taking a holistic approach in providing support, anchored in LOVE, will give each child the best possible opportunity for their future. I believe we can do better for our children and LHY will make a difference.”
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Alex Murphy
Alex is a financial planner and Chief Operating Officer for Cedarwood Financial Partners. He has been in the financial industry for over a decade and loves the difference that sound financial advice can make.
Alex strives to make an impact in his local community in Montgomery and The Woodlands in Texas by volunteering at church, and community events, and heavy involvement with local high schools and athletic programs.
When he’s not focused on business, Alex cherishes every moment he gets with his family. He, along with his wife Tricia, and three daughters, love to attend high school sporting events, explore the world, and play golf.
Khalid Naz
I am born and raised in the Houston area. Serving and helping others has always brought me joy. I played football and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in HDFS.
I have been married for 15 years and have 3 kids. Sports are a major staple in our house. I enjoy bowling, working out, and a lot of Mexican food.
I am currently a new car manager for Sewell Audi North Houston where I love to motivate, encourage, and help people achieve their maximum potential.
Leslie Luttrell
Leslie Luttrell grew up in Arlington, TX and currently works as an Account Executive at LabCorp.
She is passionate about helping children's and veteran non-profit organizations and currently serves on the Board of Love Heals Youth. Leslie is married to the Honorable Morgan Luttrell, and they have two sons, Gunner and Lincoln.
Janice thigpen
Janice is a native Texan and real estate agent with LPT Realty, LLC in the Houston Metro Area. She is a native Texan who grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston.
Janice lives just outside Houston with her husband and two miniature Schnauzers. She is on the Elected board of the LoneStar Groundwater Conservation District. and is a member of several organizations including Love Heals Youth, Make-A-Wish, Rotary, C of C and the various car clubs. She has the privilege of being part of Leadership Montgomery County 2022 class. Her heart draws her to working with children and seeing that there is a chance for them to have some normalcy in their lives.
Katherine rummel
Ambassadors
Candice Palacios
My name is Candice Palacios. I’m a professional Project Manager working in the Commercial HVAC Building Automation industry. I also partner with Lone Star College’s skilled trades school by assisting in developing students looking to enter the work force with an electrical or HVAC certification.
I’m also a momma to one sweet little girl and to a geriatric weenie dog, named Pete. Outside of work, I enjoy attending Bible studies, going to the beach, visiting wineries, trying new foods (I’m a huge foodie), cooking, traveling, fishing, baseball games and exploring fun new places with my daughter.
I started getting involved with LHY almost a year ago. I’m passionate about people and feel strongly about being able to make a direct impact to those who are in need right here within our community and hometown. I believe in LHY’s vision and purpose and feel blessed and honored to be a contributor.
Erica McLeod
Erica McLeod is an executive leader in operations, strategic staffing and talent acquisition. Her innovative approach to designing and delivering world-class recruiting and training strategies has made her a proven commodity in the world of human capital engagement. Throughout her career, she has delivered highly successful programs focused on strategic talent development, recruiting innovation, employment branding, recruiting processes, talent retention, social media and operational efficiency within a business unit and enterprise.
McLeod was the Senior Business Development Director for the world’s largest specialized staffing and consulting service firm, which appeared on Fortune magazine's list of "World's Most Admired Companies", ranking number 1 in its industry for service quality and innovation. In this role, she was responsible for strategic planning, operational audit, and solution implementation. She co-authored the standard operating procedures that were implemented in over 400 branches worldwide.
McLeod is also a keynote speaker for organizations across the US. She has energized audiences on topics such as leadership, talent acquisition, employment trends and retention strategies.
Tonia Kuehn
Peer Ambassadors
Payton Riley
With a big voice and bigger heart, Payton Riley has been impressing audiences with her crystal clear vocals since the tender age of 9. Her musical talents extend beyond the microphone, however, as this rising star writes many of her own songs, delivering a powerful message that will leave you wanting to hear more.
With a supportive network of family and friends, Payton wants to share her music with the world. She particularly hopes to be an inspiration to other young artists, encouraging them to keep working and especially be kind to everyone. Guided by an unshakeable faith in God, Payton wants to lift up other musicians and allow His light to shine through her so she can help others through their dark times.
Payton’s giving heart and sassy attitude combine for captivating stage performances and original songs that whisper to your innermost thoughts.
Daire Mcleod
Daire began acting and singing in local musical theater productions and quickly realized that she wanted this to be more than a hobby. With the support of her parents, Daire spread her wings and flew to New York at the age of ten to audition for Broadway plays, sing in cabarets, and begin dance training which would later morph into a love for hip-hop. She then landed in Los Angeles, further pursuing her calling as an actress—making impact wherever she went, winning the hearts of casting directors, fellow actors, and coaches, including her mentor, Jack Turnbull.
The talented actress is also a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano, and ukulele). Inspired by the likes of Talyor Swift, Amos Lee and Amy Whinehouse, Daire will soon be releasing her new single, ‘Hey Honey,’ and will begin recording her first album. In addition to songwriting, the creative teen writes novels across a variety of genres, as well as screenplays.
Daire knows the world is hers for the taking and hers to give back to. She is passionate about women’s rights and animal rights and her passion for reading led her to start a nonprofit, “Daire to Read,” which provides books to kids in need. She hopes to be the youngest person to write, pitch, and direct a show like Tina Fey and to attend Yale to earn her Juris Doctor degree.
Mental Health professionals
Victoria Pentecost-Cliffe, MEd, LPC
While I have moved several different times since I started counseling in 2018, I was born and raised right here in Montgomery County!
After graduating from Porter High School (Go Spartans!!!), I received my bachelor’s in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Stephen F Austin State University, and received my Master’s Degree from UH.
God gifted me with a passion for service and I am so blessed every single day to do what I do!! I believe all children deserve to feel loved, have a stable environment, and access to mental healthcare when they need it most.
Today, I live right here in Conroe with my husband and our two cats, Buddy and Siopao.