|
| About Our Founder
RHONDRA O. WILLIS
Rhondra O. Willis is visionary leader who is an accomplished educator, researcher, and national speaker with a passion for social entrepreneurship. Rhondra refuses to settle for the status quo or what has always been accepted but pushes forward until her goal is met. Rhondra believes that “To Whom Much is Given – Much is Required”.
Rhondra received an APS in legal studies from Midlands Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina, an MBA from Webster University and she will complete a Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University in 2008.
Rhondra has been involved in various projects and committees including but not limited to: the Young Women’s Health Summit (South Carolina Mentor) 2000 and 2001 - United States Department of Health and Human Services, Core Committee Member for the Behavior and Dress Policy - School District Five of Richland and Lexington Counties, South Carolina Youth Network Executive Committee - University of South Carolina, Youth Empowerment Advisory Committee - University of South Carolina, Educational Materials Committee -United States Department of Health and Human Services, Voter Registration/Education Committee - Benedict College Center of Excellence, and the African American Peoples Leadership Awards Committee - Cush Fellowship. She also has served as a Research Consultant at the Moore School of Business in the Research Division at the University of South Carolina
Ms. Willis has also been a presenter or speaker for the following organizations:
DIVA International
Leadership LEAD (2007)
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Panelist, Teen Dating Violence
2007 Minority Women’s Health Summit (2007)
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Presenter, Rapidly Developing Cultural Competency in HIV/AIDS Interventions, 2007 Minority Women’s Health Summit (2007)
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Presentation – F.A.C.E.S: A Statewide Approach (2006)
The SISTA Project
Vision Leadership Institute (2006)
Daniel Circle Chapel
Guest Speaker – “The Birth of Royalty”
Youth Conference (2006)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Presenter, “Creative Funding Strategies”
South Carolina State Conference (2006)
Crestwood High School
Presenter– Leadership Communication (2006)
American Association of University of Women (AAUW)
Presenter, Leadership - Sister-to-Sister Summit (2004)
University of South Carolina – Women’s Studies Program/Annual Conference
Presenter - How We See Ourselves, How Others See Us, and Daring to Balance Freedom (2004)
SE Violence and Substance Abuse Prevention Center, University of South Carolina
Presenter – Leadership Communication
10th Annual Summer Institute (2003)
University of South Carolina, Women’s Studies Program
Guest Lecturer - Women Activists (2003)
Richland and Lexington Five School District
Leadership Academy
Instructor - Leadership Communication (2003)
Youth Build – Haven of Change/Benedict College
Instructor - Personal Finance (2003)
Allen University
Presenter - Student Leadership Workshop Part II
Leadership Communication (2001)
In 2000, Rhondra founded Vision Leadership Institute (VLI), a nonprofit that provides programs for at-risk youth and women. In 2003, Vision Leadership Institute hosted the 1st Annual South Carolina Young Women’s Health Summit sponsored by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In 2006, VLI was awarded a contract by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide HIV/AIDS prevention services to high risk minority women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. VLI also was awarded a contract by the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a comprehensive report on Dating Violence in South Carolina.
In 2004, Rhondra formed Nicole Group, Inc, a private consulting firm that provides services to individuals and businesses. Nicole Group, Inc. specializes in nonprofit development, innovative resource building, business and strategic management. Most recently, NGI has developed the Center for Social Entrepreneurship to encourage social enterprise in a capitalist driven society.
“Procrastination is the beginning of the end”
|
|
