Meet our dedicated board members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our organization active.

Kimberly Gilchrist

Kimberly Gilchrist

CEO & Director

Ms. Gilchrist is a Jamaican-American from Miami, Florida, holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida State University and a master’s degree in the same field from the University of South Florida. As a PhD candidate, her research focuses on the African diaspora in the Caribbean, racial and ethnic identity, and national identities in the Anglophone Caribbean. During her 2023 research fieldwork in Jamaica, she was inspired to create Rocksteady University Charity in 2024 to address the need for educational supplies and school maintenance in local communities.

Erin Villeta

Erin Villeta

Vice Chairperson

Mrs. Villeta earned a bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida, with a focus in education, non-profits, and pre-medical studies. She served almost ten years as an advanced sciences teacher in Miami Dade County Public School. Mrs. Villeta holds a second degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from The Culinary Institute of America. She traveled the United States cooking for clients like the LA Clippers, Washington Wizards, and Cedric the Entertainer. Later, she became a luxury real estate agent in Miami, FL working with clients like Kymberlee Manni, the CEO of University of Miami Hospital. She now owns and operates TART Creative Group, a full service digital design agency offering copywriting, branding, and web design to creatives and small businesses. Outside of work, Mrs. Villeta enjoys time with her beautiful children, DJ and Noah, and her hardworking hero husband, David Villeta, a Miami Dade County firefighter.

Mrs. Villeta earned a bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida, with a focus in education, non-profits, and pre-medical studies. She served almost ten years as an advanced sciences teacher in Miami Dade County Public School. Mrs. Villeta holds a second degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from The Culinary Institute of America. She traveled the United States cooking for clients like the LA Clippers, Washington Wizards, and Cedric the Entertainer. Later, she became a luxury real estate agent in Miami, FL working with clients like Kymberlee Manni, the CEO of University of Miami Hospital. She now owns and operates TART Creative Group, a full service digital design agency offering copywriting, branding, and web design to creatives and small businesses. Outside of work, Mrs. Villeta enjoys time with her beautiful children, DJ and Noah, and her hard-working hero husband, David Villeta, a Miami Dade County firefighter.

Yolanda Strader

Yolanda Strader

Legal Chairperson

Mrs. Strader is the co-managing attorney and co-founder of Strader Paschal PLLC, a boutique litigation firm, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for Business Litigation from 2022 to 2024. She was also featured in the 2023 and 2024 Editions of Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and was the only attorney named as an Up-and-Coming lawyer for General Litigation in Florida by Chambers and Partners in 2022. A Past President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, Mrs. Strader is also a devoted mother to Bryson (5) and Sienna (9), and wife, married to Emmy-Award winning news anchor Jawan Strader. She is excited to join the Board of Rocksteady University Charity, where she can contribute to her mother’s homeland of Jamaica.

Mrs. Strader is the co-managing attorney and co-founder of Strader Paschal PLLC, a boutique litigation firm, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for Business Litigation from 2022 to 2024. She was also featured in the 2023 and 2024 Editions of Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and was the only attorney named as an Up-and-Coming lawyer for General Litigation in Florida by Chambers and Partners in 2022. A Past President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, Mrs. Strader is also a devoted mother to Bryson (5) and Sienna (9), and wife, married to Emmy-Award winning news anchor Jawan Strader. She is excited to join the Board of Rocksteady University Charity, where she can contribute to her mother’s homeland of Jamaica.

Mrs. Battle-Williams is the Assistant Principal at Ludlam Elementary School in Miami, FL, where she proudly serves the same school system that shaped her own education. With a bachelor’s degree in biology from Spelman College and a master’s in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University, she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation at St. Thomas University. Mrs. Battle-Williams has 16 years of experience as a science teacher, including teaching Zoology at Zoo Miami, where her students used the park as a research station. Deeply committed to improving the lives of her students, she works closely with her principal, parents, and stakeholders to create a positive learning environment and believes that educating children is her life’s calling.

Ebonie Battle-Williams

education chairperson

Mrs. Battle-Williams is the Assistant Principal at Ludlam Elementary School in Miami, FL, where she proudly serves the same school system that shaped her own education. With a bachelor’s degree in biology from Spelman College and a master’s in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University, she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation at St. Thomas University. Mrs. Battle-Williams has 16 years of experience as a science teacher, including teaching Zoology at Zoo Miami, where her students used the park as a research station. Deeply committed to improving the lives of her students, she works closely with her principal, parents, and stakeholders to create a positive learning environment and believes that educating children is her life’s calling.

Ebonie Battle-Williams

Renée A. Webley

Building & Architecture Chairperson

Ms. Webley, a Miami native, is a Registered Architect, Licensed Interior Designer, and LEED Accredited Professional with over 19 years of experience in the architecture & design industry. Ms. Webley obtained her Master of Architecture degree from UF with a specialization and certification in Sustainable Design. Today, Renée is the Principal Architect and Owner of RAW Architecture + Design, a boutique Architecture and Interior Design Firm. She is proud to be a rarity in her profession; as only 0.3% of licensed Architects in the US are Black Women. With both her parents being Jamaican, Renée has always had a goal of one day giving back to the Jamaican community and is proud to be a part of the Rocksteady University organization to provide assistance in any way possible.

Renée A. Webley

Ms. Webley, a Miami native, is a Registered Architect, Licensed Interior Designer, and LEED Accredited Professional with over 19 years of experience in the architecture & design industry. Ms. Webley obtained her Master of Architecture degree from UF with a specialization and certification in Sustainable Design. Today, Renée is the Principal Architect and Owner of RAW Architecture + Design, a boutique Architecture and Interior Design Firm. She is proud to be a rarity in her profession; as only 0.3% of licensed Architects in the US are Black Women. With both her parents being Jamaican, Renée has always had a goal of one day giving back to the Jamaican community and is proud to be a part of the Rocksteady University organization to provide assistance in any way possible.

Gail Hamilton Azodo

secretary

Gail Hamilton Azodo is a multifaceted professional and author, born and raised in the culturally vibrant Miami, Florida. With a rich background as a founder in the healthcare, marketing, and hospitality industries, Gail brings a unique perspective to her writing. Her skills in analytical thinking, consumer products, management, and product development have been honed through years of professional experience and an MBA from the University of Virginia - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

Gail Hamilton Azodo

Gail Hamilton Azodo is a multifaceted professional and author, born and raised in the culturally vibrant Miami, Florida. With a rich background as a founder in the healthcare, marketing, and hospitality industries, Gail brings a unique perspective to her writing. Her skills in analytical thinking, consumer products, management, and product development have been honed through years of professional experience and an MBA from the University of Virginia - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

Shari McLean

Social Impact Chairperson

Ms. McLean, a Miami native with deep Jamaican roots, holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from USC’s Marshall School of Business. Her diverse career includes roles in event marketing, dental care management, skincare sales, personal coaching, and higher education, with a focus on enriching the lives of non-traditional champions. She founded Love in Design, a consulting firm that creates equitable and neuroinclusive workplaces, and now serves as the Social Impact Officer at Rocksteady University Charity, overseeing financial sustainability and impact measurement. Ms. McLean is also deeply committed to ministry, holding leadership roles in her church communities in Miami and Culver City.

Shari McLean

Shari, a Miami native with deep Jamaican roots, holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from USC’s Marshall School of Business. Her diverse career includes roles in event marketing, dental care management, skincare sales, personal coaching, and higher education, with a focus on enriching the lives of non-traditional champions. She founded Love in Design, a consulting firm that creates equitable and neuroinclusive workplaces, and now serves as the Social Impact Officer at Rocksteady University Charity, overseeing financial sustainability and impact measurement. Shari is also deeply committed to ministry, holding leadership roles in her church communities in Miami and Culver City.

Anika Dixon

Regional Jamaican Affairs Consultant

Ms. Dixon, a stay-at-home mother in Kingston, Jamaica, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Math from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and has served as a math lecturer at UWI. In 2007, she received a Fulbright/LASPAU Faculty Development Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. A passionate dancer, Ms. Dixon has been a long-time member of Dance Theatre Xaymaca, representing Jamaica internationally on numerous occasions. She is excited to join the Board of Rocksteady University Charity as a Regional Jamaican Affairs Co-Consultant.

Ms. Dixon, a stay-at-home mother in Kingston, Jamaica, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Math from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and has served as a math lecturer at UWI. In 2007, she received a Fulbright/LASPAU Faculty Development Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. A passionate dancer, Ms. Dixon has been a long-time member of Dance Theatre Xaymaca, representing Jamaica internationally on numerous occasions. She is excited to join the Board of Rocksteady University Charity as a Regional Jamaican Affairs Co-Consultant.

AnikaDixon

Michele Edwards

tresurer & International consultant

Ms. Edwards, a Trinidadian-American originally from Miami, Florida, earned her undergraduate degree in Public Administration and International Relations from Florida International University. She currently works as an accountant for a large construction company in the Orlando area. As a board member of Rocksteady University Charity, Ms. Edwards focuses on Regional Affairs related to Trinidad and Tobago. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to soca and dancehall music, reading, cooking, exploring neighborhoods, and spending time with friends.

Michele Edwards

Ms. Edwards, a Trinidadian-American originally from Miami, Florida, earned her undergraduate degree in Public Administration and International Relations from Florida International University. She currently works as an accountant for a large construction company in the Orlando area. As a board member of Rocksteady University Charity, Ms. Edwards focuses on Regional Affairs related to Trinidad and Tobago. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to soca and dancehall music, reading, cooking, exploring neighborhoods, and spending time with friends.