Housing, Healing & Hope

Leadership & Governance

Nia Imani Family’s leadership and Board of Directors provide strategic direction, fiduciary oversight, and faithful stewardship of the organization’s mission, vision, and long-term sustainability.

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Your next step toward a home rooted in safety, dignity, and hope begins here.

Executive Leadership

Dominic Scott
Acting Executive Director

Treneshia Gilbert

Treneshia ‘Tee’ Gilbert is a visionary servant-leader committed to purpose, resilience, and community transformation. As the Acting Executive Director of Nia Imani Family, Inc., she leads with compassion, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the young mothers and families the organization serves. Rooted in faith and guided by a heart for service, Treneshia provides strategic leadership that centers healing, accountability, and growth—while cultivating a team culture grounded in excellence, structure, and care.
With a background as an educator and a lifelong passion for uplifting others, she brings both structure and empathy to her work—ensuring that every woman who walks through Nia Imani’s doors is seen, supported, and empowered. Under her leadership, the program continues to evolve as a safe, nurturing space where families can rebuild, restore, and move toward lasting independence.

Board Chair

Dominic Scott
Board Chair & Executive Committee Chair

Shannon Lopez

Shannon Lopez is a Wisconsin entrepreneur and owner of Roots Salons, Be Better Salon Consulting, and Be Better ERC Consulting. With expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and business development, she specializes in building systems that strengthen operations and support long-term growth. A Nia Imani Family board member since 2019, Shannon is committed to bridging social, racial, and economic gaps in Milwaukee and empowering young women through financial literacy and independence.

Board@niaimanifamily.org

Officers

Dominic Scott
Treasurer, Financial Committee Chair & Voting Board Member 

Montessa Lee

Tess holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA in Finance. With more than 25 years in financial services, she brings extensive experience in banking, underwriting, risk management, and compliance, currently serving as an Auditor in Risk and Compliance.
Driven by a servant’s heart, Tess supports young women through strategic, faith-centered nonprofit work. A mother of three and proud grandmother, she draws on both personal and professional experience to help families build stability and long-term success.

Tessl@niaimanifamily.org

Dominic Scott
Secretary/Development Committee Chair & Voting Board Member

Anne Deisinger

Anne is a longtime advocate for social justice and human concerns, volunteering with Dr. Pittman and Nia Imani Family for nearly 30 years. She is active with Ignatian Volunteer Corps and several faith-based service committees. Her professional background includes leadership roles in project management, development, marketing, and engineering. Anne holds degrees in Industrial Engineering, Project Management, and Theology, and remains deeply committed to faith, family, and community service.

Anned@niaimanifamily.org

Members of the Board of Directors

Vice Chair of the Board
Board Member

Davina

Britt

Davina Elim is an organizational strategist and workforce development professional committed to helping mission-driven organizations build strong, sustainable leadership structures. With a background in talent acquisition and executive-level recruitment, she has supported nonprofits and community-focused institutions in strengthening hiring practices, leadership pipelines, and internal operations. 

Davina's expertise includes governance support, policy review, workforce planning, and designing equitable hiring systems that reflect the communities organizations serve. She brings a systems-thinking lens to board service, ensuring that strategy, structure, and people development are aligned for long-term impact. 

Her work is grounded in a belief that strong leadership and thoughtful infrastructure are essential to community transformation. 

Davinab@niaimanifamily.org

 

Board Member

Edward Nwagbaraocha

Edward Chilaka Nwagbaraocha is a first-generation Nigerian, born in Milwaukee, WI., to his parents Dr. Victor Ibekwe and Pauline Chinyere Nwagbaraocha.  He is one of four siblings.  Mr. Nwagbaraocha has a bachelor's degree in Information Resource Technology & Library Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  He is an IT Service Technician with Milwaukee Public Schools.  Edward has volunteered in the nonprofit sector with St. Vincent De Paul Society of Southeastern Wisconsin as a Vincentian performing home visit, and with Africans in Milwaukee as the Publicity Secretary. 

 Mr. Nwagbaraocha is enthusiastic about uniting communities and advocating for its residents.  He credits his father's positive work ethic and love for building a thriving community, for influencing his commitment to inspire community well-being.  Mr. Nwagbaraocha strives to create neighborhood-based relationships which strengthen the lives and legacies of families.  He believes change begins by advocating for others in need and connecting them to valuable resources that provide self-reliance. 

Edwardn@niaimanifamily.org