Meet the Board
Jay Coates-Greathouse | Co-Chair
(she/her)
J.Greathouse has over 15 years of experience working as a mental health counselor, intuitive healing guide and energy worker. As a Black Queer Woman and the founder/owner of Lighthouse Holistic Wellness, Jay focuses on creating healing space while navigating intersections of various identities and the impacts these identities have on our unique healing journey. One of Jays core values is being “fiercely devoted to pouring from a full cup. Spending time out in nature and connecting with the elements has been a central part of keeping me nourished and well as I show up in this work.”J. Greathouse’s speciality areas of focus include working with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, snd spiritually inclined HSPs+ Empaths. Jay has recently opened Lighthouse Cottage, an intuitive experience that provides space to connect to the power of self-healing and personal transformation.
Ashley Hicks | Co-Chair
(she/her)
Ashley is motivated by her passion for sparking a change in the minds and bodies of others. As Co-Founder of Black Girls Run!, she developed a powerful movement that has resonated with a huge audience. BGR! has helped shift the consciousness of culture for over 150,000 African-American women, encouraging them to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle. It has also transformed the running community and aided in the diversification and increased participation in the sport of distance running. In creating a thriving lifestyle brand, Ashley has been able to connect leading consumer brands with minority audiences and the growing healthy lifestyle movement through event marketing, digital campaigns and sponsorship activation. She is proud to have worked with some of the world’s best-known brands in this regard, including Coca-Cola, UnitedHealthcare, Verizon, L'Oréal, and REI. Ashley’s ability to crystallize, organize and communicate a movement is propelled by her education - she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and holds a Master of Science in Communication from Columbia University in New York City. Ashley is currently working as an event marketing strategist producing activations for top brands. She is also the mother of two beautiful daughters, Olivia and Gabrielle.
CJ Goulding | Secretary
(he/him)
CJ is passionate about facilitating growth in three things: people, community, and leadership. In his roles with the Children & Nature Network and Fresh Tracks, he trains, mentors and supports national networks of over 450 leaders who are changing systems and creating equitable access to nature in their communities. This work draws from experience leading outdoor trips, conservation crews, and youth internship programs for the National Park Service. He completed a MaED in Urban Environmental Education with IslandWood and Antioch University, where he studied the power of community and its connection to nature in urban settings. He is also a partner with The Avarna Group where he supports outdoor organizations in their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey through facilitating workshops and developing organizational strategy. His essay "Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors" has been published and featured in culturally relevant outdoor curriculum across the country.
Crystal Williams | Treasurer
(she/her)
Crystal is a leader at a big 4 management consulting firm with over 15 years of operations improvement experience with a wide-ranging background in healthcare to include strategy, clinical finance, practice management, technology implementation, supply chain and logistics, sourcing and procurement, and change management. Currently she serves community health systems, academic medical centers, as well as public health services clients. Crystal has a passion for bringing forward innovative technology to enable workforce and organizational efficiencies in complex environments. She is a military veteran serving six years active duty as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Air Force. As a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion, Crystal regularly volunteers with underserved youth and LGBTQIA+ communities. Crystal lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her partner, Alex, and two children. She enjoys spending time with family, catching a concert, yoga, meditation, and anything related to decluttering.
Adam Koepfer | Board Member
(he/him)
Currently the Strategic Communications and Purpose Marketing Manager for Quality Bicycle Products, Adam has over 15 years’ experience leading global brands in the Outdoor, Cycling, and Wellness industries. He spent nearly a decade at Merrell developing strategies that fueled brand growth including the brand’s Ambassador Program, Event Sponsorships, and Non-Profit Partnership Strategies.Adam lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Rachel and their daughter Ava where they love taking outdoor adventures as a family and exploring Michigan’s many parks, trails, rivers, and lakes.